BUENA VISTA, Va. - The USA South released its annual women's cross country pre-championship poll ahead of the USA South championship this weekend.

By garnering seven first-place votes from opposing coaches, the Knights sit first in the pre-championship poll for the second consecutive season. Meredith and Pfeiffer were the other teams to earn first-place votes.

As reigning champions, Southern Virginia looks to clinch its first repeat conference title in program history. They won by 25 points at last year's meet and appear even better this season. They're in search of a third championship in the last five seasons.

Emma Hillam has finished first for the Knights in all four meets and is a two-time USA South Runner of the Week. In tow has been a trio of teammates, Bayleigh Redd-Armstrong, Kaylee Horner, and Sasha Braddy who have helped the team field one of the strongest top fours in the region.

Kenia Reynolds has shown significant progress since the start of the season and could be a key runner for the Knights as they enter the postseason.

To boot, Southern Virginia has a slew of runners, including Jasmine De Souza and Arianna Larchar who will battle for all-conference spots.

USA South Championship

This year's championship will take place in Misenheimer, North Carolina at Pfeiffer's newly configured cross country course. North Carolina Wesleyan was the championship host the previous five seasons.

The women's race will take off at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 1st. In addition to a team champion, the conference Runner of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year will be revealed during the post-race award ceremony. 

Finishers 1-5 will earn a First Team All-Conference nod and 6-10 will make the Second Team.

For the most up-to-date details and information on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightxctf on Instagram.