RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference has released the 2026 Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll. On the list, the Mulerider Men have been selected as the sixth overall unit, receiving 21 points in the poll. Head Coach James Bowlin is working on preparing his Muleriders, as he heads into year three with the Blue and Gold.
 
The Muleriders go into the season picked sixth out of eight groups, as the squad was voted ahead of Southern Nazarene (14 points) and Arkansas-Monticello (7 points). Southern Arkansas ended up being just a point shy of fifth place in the poll, as Northwestern Oklahoma State claimed that spot (22 points).
 
Earning the top spot in the preseason poll were the East Central Tigers, with the team receiving 46 points and five of the eight first-place votes. Right behind them was Harding with 42 points and a first-place vote, while Oklahoma Baptist was picked to be third with 41 points and two first-place votes. Wrapping up the top half of the poll is Ouachita Baptist, with the Tigers claiming fourth with 31 points.
 
Southern Arkansas will launch its new campaign on September 12, when the Muleriders travel to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, for the Bob Gravett Invitational.
 
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