Wallace State Cross Country Earns Top-10 Preseason Rankings

HANCEVILLE, AL — Wallace State cross country will open the 2025 season with both programs among the nation's elite. In the NJCAA Division II Preseason Rankings, the women's team is slotted at No. 2 in the country, while the men's team checks in at No. 7.

Head coach Tony Crider said the early recognition provides both excitement and motivation, but the focus remains on the work ahead.

"That is a tremendous starting spot for our women's team but we cannot be complacent," Crider said of the No. 2 ranking. "It's good motivation for our student athletes to try to climb the ladder as the season progresses," he added about the men.

Crider emphasized that preseason rankings are only a starting point for the program's ultimate goal.

"Our goal is to win a national championship, but you can't do that based on the preseason; we have to go out and take it."

Wallace State is no stranger to competing at the highest level in NJCAA cross country, and both squads will look to build momentum through the fall season. The Lions also find themselves in strong company within the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC), which placed multiple programs in the national polls.

On the men's side, Calhoun is ranked No. 10, Shelton State is 19th, Coastal Alabama–North is 22nd, and Northeast Alabama rounds out the group at No. 24. For the women, Northeast Alabama sits at No. 14, Calhoun at No. 15, Gadsden State at No. 18, and Shelton State at No. 19.

With both Wallace State programs ranked in the top 10 and a deep slate of ACCC rivals also ranked, the stage is set for a highly competitive season across the conference and the nation.

Both teams will open their season this weekend at the University of Memphis Twilight Meet.