The GSAC released its 2025 Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Preseason Polls today, and The Master’s emerged as the clear favorite in both divisions, earning the top spot with 49 points and seven first-place votes in each poll.

The Master’s men enter the season as the defending NAIA National Champions, and both the men’s and women’s squads also claimed GSAC titles in 2024, solidifying their reputation as the conference’s powerhouse program.

On the men’s side, The Master’s led the poll with 49 points and seven first-place votes. Embry-Riddle followed in second place with 43 points and the only other first-place vote. Arizona Christian secured third with 36 points, rounding out a competitive top tier. Soka placed fourth with 28 points, trailed closely by Hope International with 25. Park Gilbert earned 19 points for sixth place, while La Sierra and OUAZ tied for seventh with 12 points each.

The women’s poll mirrored the men’s results, with The Master’s again claiming the top spot with 49 points and seven first-place votes. Embry-Riddle followed in second with 43 points and one first-place vote, and Arizona Christian took third with 36 points. Soka edged into fourth with 29 points, ahead of La Sierra with 20 and OUAZ with 19. Park Gilbert and Hope International rounded out the rankings with 15 and 13 points, respectively.

GSAC coaches participated in the poll but were prohibited from voting for their own teams. Points were awarded on a descending scale: eight points for a first-place vote, seven for second, and so on.

With the season set to begin, all eyes will be on the Mustangs to see if they can defend their titles and maintain their dominance in the conference. But with strong contenders like Embry-Riddle and Arizona Christian in pursuit, the 2025 GSAC cross country season promises to be one of the most competitive yet.

2025 GSAC MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
1. The Master's (7) / 49 points
2. Embry-Riddle (1) / 43 points
3. Arizona Christian / 36 points
4. Soka / 28 points
5. Hope International / 25 points
6. Park Gilbert / 19 points
7t. La Sierra / 12 points
7t. OUAZ / 12 points

2025 GSAC WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
1. The Master's (7) / 49 points
2. Embry-Riddle (1) / 43 points
3. Arizona Christian / 36 points
4. Soka / 29 points
5. La Sierra / 20 points
6. OUAZ / 19 points
7. Park Gilbert / 15 points
8. Hope International / 13 points