MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Dalton State Women's Cross Country enters the 2025 season with high expectations, earning the No. 2 spot in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Coaches' Preseason Poll. The Roadrunners received 85 points and one first-place vote, trailing only defending champion William Carey.
 
Dalton State Women's Cross Country & Track & Field Head Coach Carrie Bisop said of the ranking, "We're a young team entering the season ranked 2nd in the Conference. While this year will be a valuable learning and building experience, I'm confident we have a strong group that can lay the foundation for the future of Roadrunner XC."

Dalton State has long been a powerhouse in SSAC women's cross country, claiming five conference titles—more than any other program in the league. Since 2014, the Roadrunners, William Carey, and Blue Mountain Christian have dominated the championship landscape, with one of the three teams winning every title during that span.
 
William Carey, picked to repeat in 2025, secured 99 points and nine first-place votes after capturing the 2024 crown. Dalton State, however, remains a perennial contender and will look to reclaim the top spot this fall.
 
The season kicks off Thursday, Aug. 28, with the 2025 SSAC Championship scheduled for Friday, Nov. 7 at Oakville Indian Mounds Park in Danville, Ala.—a familiar stage where Dalton State hopes to add another chapter to its storied legacy.
 
2025 SSAC Women's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Poll
1.       William Carey – 99 (9)
2.       Dalton State – 85 (1)
3.       UT Southern – 78
4.       Blue Mountain Christian – 76
5.       Mobile – 58
6.       Loyola – 51
7.       Faulkner – 42
8.       Brewton-Parker Christian – 24
9.       Thomas – 23
10.     Abraham Baldwin – 14
 
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