LACEY, Wash. – A new era for Saints' Cross Country will begin in 2021 under interim head coach Matt Lowe. After not competing in 2020, the Saints enter the new year placing eighth overall in the women's poll, and ninth in the men's GNAC Coaches' Preseason Poll on Tuesday.
 
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On the women's side, Seattle Pacific, despite only receiving one first place vote, earned a conference leading 76 points to pace the standings. Simon Fraser, with four of the 10 first place votes, placed second with 75, and Alaska Anchorage was top-three at 72. Western Washington (66 votes), Northwest Nazarene (65) made up the middle of the conference. Western Oregon (45), Central Washington (36), Saint Martin's (22), Alaska (21), and MSU Billings (17) closed out the standings.
 
In the men's poll, Western Washington (82) with four first place votes outpaced Simon Fraser (78), and Alaska Anchorage (74) for the top spot. Northwest Nazarene (61), Western Oregon (51) were fourth and fifth, while Central Washington, and Seattle Pacific tied for sixth at 46 points. MSU Billings (21), Saint Martin's (19), and Alaska (17) rounded out the poll.
 
For the Saints' women's team, SMU brings back a veteran core of runners. Naomi Hartley, and Kierrla Yates, along with newcomer and Saints' track standout Cassidy Walchak-Sloan to add depth.
 
Zach Franco and Miguel De LaMelena enter 2021 as the Saints' top finishers from 2019 with their 74th and 76th place results at the GNAC Championships. Incoming Division-I Seattle U transfer Lance Slichko, along with returners Noah Roberts, Guillaume Tabary, and Jaskaran Dhatt, look to put their stamp on the Saints' season.
 
Saint Martin's for the first time since 2006 will host the 2021 GNAC Cross Country Championship meet. Located on campus, the Saints will have an opportunity to compete on a course they know better than anybody else. The meet is scheduled for Saturday, October 23.
 
The Saints open the season at the Puget Sound Invitational on Saturday, September 4 before hosting their own meet, the Ken Garland Classic on Saturday, September 25.