JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles were picked fourth in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll released by the league on Friday.

FGCU picked up 38 points in the poll following a season that saw them earn three top 10 team finishes including a team title at the Ed Holloway Classic in Lakeland, Fla.

"The team has built an incredible foundation over the summer, and I couldn't be more excited to see what they accomplish this season" Eagles head coach Argeo Cruz said. "Being picked fourth is a huge testament to the growth, hard work, and momentum we've built over the years. We're just getting started and with more team training sessions ahead, I'm excited to see this group continue to come together, get stronger, and push each other to new heights. In a few short months, we'll be ready to toe the line and show what we're capable of. This team has something special, and I can't wait to see it unfold!"

The Eagles return a handful of their top runners from a season ago led by senior Siyabonga Mokgothu who won the Ed Holloway Classic with an 8K time of 24:58.2 and finished second at the UNF Invitational with an even better mark of 24:46.5. Also returning to the fold are seniors Innocent Ntwali, Evan Casterline, Jean Joel, Brayden Lowe-Massi, and Elmer Mijangos, juniors Jackson Dailey and Hector Toro, and sophomores Jacob Leon, and Joshua Neilitz.

Lipscomb earned top billing in the preseason poll with 62 points, closely followed by North Florida with 56, and Bellarmine with 44 ahead of the Eagles in fourth.

The Eagles open their 2026 season in one week at the Florida Intercollegiate Invitational September 4^th in Jacksonville in a 7 p.m. night race in the River City.

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