Indianapolis, Ind. - The SBU women's cross-country team was picked to finish 2nd in the GLVC (Great Lakes Valley Conference) as announced by the conference office this afternoon. They received 153 total points which is 18 behind the 1st place team of Lewis University. The preseason poll is selected by the league's head coaches, who, per GLVC Bylaws, are not permitted to vote for their own team. 

The Bearcats return in the 2023 season after finishing 2nd at the GLVC championships last season and 5th in the regional championship, beating out every GLVC team. They narrowly missed a national championship appearance after their 5th place finish at regionals.  

The lady Bearcats return their top-2 finishers from last season's regionals of Tessa Valdivia (22nd) and Alexis Barber (24th). Both Valdivia and Barber are in their final year of eligibility with a chance to continue their success as a Bearcat. SBU women's cross country will again be led by 17-year head coach and 2020 GLVC coach of the year, Corey McElhaney. 

Full preseason poll below: 

Rank School Points (1st-place votes) 

1. Lewis 169 (13) 

2. Southwest Baptist 151 

3. Drury 141 (1) 

4. Indianapolis 138 

5. Truman State 120 

6. Illinois Springfield 108 

7. Missouri S&T 99 

8. Rockhurst 82 

9. Maryville 75 

10. Missouri-St. Louis 57 

11. McKendree 40 

12. William Jewell 37 

13. Upper Iowa 34 

14. Quincy 23