The Southland Conference revealed its 2026 preseason cross country polls, placing the UTRGV women's team third and the men's team fifth. Coaches and sports information directors from each institution cast votes to rank all 11 teams, excluding their own, ahead of the SLC Championships on October 30. Stephen F. Austin leads both polls, having swept the championships last year, while UTRGV returns two All-Conference athletes for the women's team.

By the Numbers
  • UTRGV women's team received 98 points, ranking third.
  • UTRGV men's team tied for fifth with McNeese, both with 78 points.
Yes, But

While UTRGV is positioned well, they face strong competition from Stephen F. Austin, which has dominated the previous season, raising questions about the Vaqueros' ability to surpass past performances.

State of Play
  • The SLC Championships are set for October 30 in Lake Charles.
  • UTRGV's women鈥檚 team includes returning All-Conference athletes N Vanee Anchike and Kailey Salazar.
What's Next

The upcoming championships will test the Vaqueros鈥� resolve and ability to compete against top-tier teams, especially to improve upon their previous year's standings.

Bottom Line

Success for UTRGV in the upcoming season hinges on leveraging their experienced runners and overcoming the formidable competition dominated by Stephen F. Austin.