INFO | USTFCCCA men's poll, preseason edition
INFO | USTFCCCA women's poll, preseason edition
 
New Orleans, La.----The Wingate University men's cross country team is No. 1 in the preseason NCAA Division II U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) coaches' poll. The Wingate women's XC team is No. 5. The Bulldog squads occupy the No. 1 spot in the Southeast Region rankings for both women and men.
 
The Bulldogs are the defending SAC and Southeast Region champions in both men's and women's cross country. The Wingate men finished second at the '24 national championship meet after winning the NCAA title in '23. The Bulldog women claimed eighth place at NCAAs last season.
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate head cross country coach Pol Domenech
 
MEN: "Standing atop the preseason poll is a serious accomplishment, but it's the daily grind that decides a season. We're committed to maintaining that standard, improving consistently and letting our preparation speak on race day."

WOMEN: "Starting the season at No. 5 nationally reflects the resilience and drive of our team. Polls are milestones—not endpoints—and we're dedicated to building momentum every day toward our goals."

Schedule highlights for Wingate XC
 
The Bulldogs open the 2025 season Friday, Sept. 12, venturing to Charlotte for the Queen City Invitational at McAlpine Creek Park. The Bulldog Stampede is Saturday, September 20. The event serves as a Southeast Regional Preview race for teams from the Conference Carolinas, the Peach Belt Conference and the South Atlantic Conference.
 
Wingate starts October in a familiar spot, visiting Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for the Paul Short Run October 3. Lehigh University hosts this race on its Goodman Campus Cross Country course.
Lehigh is WU director of cross country and track and field Matt van Lierop's alma mater.
 
The Bulldogs have one more regular season race in October. Wingate visits the Queen City for the Royals Cross Country Challenge at McAlpine Creek Park on October 10. The Tusculum University Pioneers host the postseason SAC meet Saturday, Oct. 25. The aforementioned NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championships are Saturday, Nov. 8 in Wingate, North Carolina.
 
Wingate University
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 30 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 17 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.
 
OneDog, #OneDog, and One Day One Dog are registered trademarks of Wingate University.