Men’s, Women’s Outdoor T&F place third and fourth in preseason SAC poll; four named Athlete to Watch

Rock Hill, S.C. —- The Catawba College men's outdoor track and field team was picked to finish third in the preseason South Atlantic Conference coaches poll, while the women were tabbed fourth, the league office announced Friday afternoon.

Additionally, four athletes were named a SAC Athlete to Watch.

Wingate was named the league favorite in both leagues, while Lenoir-Rhyne is the runner-up in both genders. Catawba's men were third, while Lincoln Memorial's women were picked just ahead of Catawba's women, who were fourth.

On the men's side, Winfred Porter and Miles Stephens were named Athletes to Watch after both came off of a top-eight finish in the 60-meter dash at the NCAA Division II National Championships in Indianapolis last week.

For the women, Eden Barnwell and Madi Clay were named Athletes to Watch. Barnwell is coming off of a great SAC Indoor Championships, earning Female Freshman of the Meet after winning the 800-meter dash and the SAC record-setting DMR performance. Clay is a reigning All-American in the outdoor 10K in 2024.

Catawba opens its outdoor season on Friday, participating in the Charlotte 49er Classic.