Melbourne, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference released their preseason polls for the 2022 cross country season earlier today. The Sailfish men were voted in a tie for fifth place out of seven teams, with reigning two-time SSC Championship winners Embry-Riddle University taking the top spot with five first place votes.
 
The 'Fish are looking to improve from their 2021 season, where they finished in seventh in the SSC Championship. Their highest finish that season was a first-place finish at the Palm Beach Atlantic meet to open the year. 
 
The Sailfish are led by standout Jake Lonsdale, who looks to add to his solid career at PBA. Lonsdale earned a first-place finish at the Palm Beach Atlantic meet last year and placed in the top 15 at the SSC Championship with a personal best 8k time of 25:40.2.
 
As for the SSC standings, Saint Leo was voted in second place, followed by Tampa, Florida Southern, and Lynn. Nova Southeastern was picked to finish in seventh place to complete the preseason rankings.  The fall season kicks off for the Sailfish on Sept. 3 for the Keiser Flagship Invitational.