KANSAS CITY, Mo. — According to an announcement from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) on Thursday, the Montreat College men's cross country team is in the national ratings release for the 39th consecutive poll. This time, the Cavaliers ranked 23rd in the NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Top 25.

Montreat received 135 points in the voting process, finishing 12 points ahead of Saint Francis (Ill.) and 18 points behind Cornerstone (Mich.). Cumberlands (Ky.) claimed the top spot in the poll with 542 points and 10 first-place votes.

The Cavs are coming off a runner-up finish at the 2025 AAC Cross Country Championships and a 21st-place showing at the 2025 NAIA Cross Country Championships. Montreat reached as high as No. 16 in the national ratings last season.

For a look at the full 2026 NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Top 25, click here.

The Cavaliers begin their competition slate on Sept. 4 at the Bruins Cross Country Night Classic, hosted by Bob Jones University. The twilight meet is slated to begin at 8:45 p.m. in Greenville, S.C.