WALESKA, Ga.— The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) released its annual Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll late Tuesday morning. According to the announcement, the Montreat College Cavaliers are anticipated to finish as the league's 2025 runner-up.
 
Montreat totaled one first-place vote and 156 points in the voting process, 11 more than SCAD Atlanta, who also picked up a first-place nod. Milligan University accumulated 10 first-place votes and 165 points as the conference's preseason favorite.
 
Despite dealing with significant adversity due to Hurricane Helene, the Cavs still managed to excel last year. After wrapping up the 2024 AAC Cross Country Championships in second, Montreat went on to place 21^st at the NAIA Cross Country Championships. The Cavaliers were ranked as high as No. 10 nationally during the 2024 campaign.
 
The 2025 AAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll was voted on by the head coaches of institutions within the league. Teams received 14 points for a first-place vote, 13 for second place, 12 for third place and so on until all 14 teams were ranked. Programs were then ordered by most points received to least points received.
 
This year's AAC Cross Country Championships are slated for Nov. 7 at Sequoyah Park in Knoxville, Tenn.
 
2025 AAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
School (First-Place Votes) – Total Voting Points
1. Milligan (10) – 165
2. Montreat (1) – 156
3. SCAD Atlanta (1) – 145
4. Reinhardt – 128
5. Tennessee Wesleyan – 123
6. Truett McConnell – 99
7. Bryan – 96
8. Columbia – 83
9. Spartanburg Methodist – 59
10. Columbia International – 57
11. Union Commonwealth – 55
12. Pikeville – 46
13. Johnson – 33
14. Bluefield - 15