MARSHALL, Texas – With the new cross country season starting in September, the American Southwest Conference has released the 2026 preseason poll, and East Texas Baptist University is picked to finish in third. ETBU returns five runners from last season, with two seniors.
 
Last year, ETBU finished in third at the ASC Championship with 55 points and had the individual ASC Champion. ETBU is ahead of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Schreiner University.
 
On the ASC Runners to Watch list are sophomore Tyler Jordan and freshman Chance Stewart. Jordan made the All-ASC Second Team and came in 12^th at the ASC Championship last year. Stewart is a three-time UIL State Cross Country Meet qualifier and was seventh in his region to qualify last fall. Also returning for their senior year are Rodolfo Rodriguez and Jagger Stutchman.
 
ETBU opens the 2026 season at the Texas Tyler meet on Saturday, September 5. They will run at the Texas Rose Hors Park at 8:00 a.m.