Winners of 15 consecutive SEC titles, the Arkansas men's team was the choice to continue its reign atop the SEC, receiving nine first-place votes and totaling 99 points. Capturing their 16th SEC championship this season would give the Razorbacks 33 straight conference titles, dating back to 1974 when Arkansas won 17 Southwest Conference titles.
Alabama was second in the men's preseason tally with 91 points and two first-place votes. Florida finished third with 82 points followed by Tennessee with 73 points and Georgia with 57 points.
The Arkansas women's team was voted to finish at the top of the SEC, receiving seven first-place votes totaling 117 points. If finished as predicted, the Lady Razorbacks will add to 10 Southeastern Conference titles. Tennessee received five first-place votes for a total of 114 points to finish second. Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky rounded out the top five with 99, 88, and 76 points, respectively.
Points for the men's poll were awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis while the women's poll was awarded on a 11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
The 2006 Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championships, hosted by LSU, will be held October 28.
2006 SEC Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll (First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
SEC Champion Men: Arkansas (9), Alabama (2) Women: Arkansas (7), Tennessee (5)
MEN 1. Arkansas (9) 99 2. Alabama (2) 91 3. Florida 82 4. Tennessee 73 5. Georgia 57 6. Auburn 51 7. Ole Miss 45 8. Kentucky 37 9. LSU 33 10. Mississippi State 25 11. Vanderbilt 12 WOMEN 1. Arkansas (7) 117 2. Tennessee (5) 114 3. Georgia 99 4. Florida 88 5. Kentucky 76 6. Mississippi State 60 7. Alabama 59 8. Vanderbilt 56 9. Auburn 55 10. LSU 29 11. South Carolina 23 12. Ole Miss 16