ATLANTA, Ga. (March 3, 2026) - For the fourth consecutive season, Piedmont sits atop the CCS Women’s Track & Field Preseason Poll after earning 47 points and six first-place votes, as voted on by the league’s head coaches.
Piedmont enters 2026 as the preseason favorite following a strong bounce-back campaign that saw the Lions capture the 2025 CCS Championship for the second time in three seasons. Ten student-athletes garnered all-conference recognition at the meet, fueling a performance that included eight individual event victories — five of which came in the field events. Junior Kayla Ward returns after claiming gold in the shot put (10.90m), while junior Allison Cantrell demonstrated versatility with a winning leap of 5.11m in the long jump. Senior Michelle Cates anchors the track squad after securing two individual titles last season, winning the 400m hurdles for the third straight year and earning her first 100m hurdles crown with a time of 16.41. The Lions will look to translate last season’s momentum into another title pursuit.
Covenant was picked second with 44 points and two first-place votes after finishing as runner-up at last year’s championship meet. The Scots return a strong distance core led by All-CCS first-team honoree Evangelia Berry, who swept the 10,000m and 5,000m titles and added a second-team finish in the 1,500m. Emerson Tillery (third team, 10,000m) and Kenzi Stapleton (third team, 1,500m) also return, with their sights set firmly on climbing one step higher this spring.
Asbury claimed the third spot in the poll after a third-place finish at last season’s championship. The Eagles are guided by junior Bailey Gassmann, who captured gold in both the 1,500m and 800m while adding a runner-up finish in the 5,000m. Sophomore Emma Groff also returns after two podium finishes last season in the steeplechase (second) and pole vault (third), while classmate Mikayla Riccio returns following a second-place showing in the high jump. The Eagles enter the season seeking with hopes of climbing higher in a tightly contested field.
Belhaven was selected fourth with 31 points after placing fourth at the 2025 championship meet. The Blazers return one of the conference’s most dynamic athletes in senior Kimona Haynes, who earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors and swept major CCS accolades as Track Athlete of the Meet, Overall Athlete of the Meet, and Athlete of the Year. Haynes captured five CCS titles, winning the 100m (12.37), 200m (24.89), and 400m (59.03) while anchoring both the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams to gold. The Blazers enter the season focused on channeling individual strengths into overall team advancement.
Maryville was picked fifth with 26 points following a fifth place finish last season. The Scots welcome back 2025 CCS Rookie of the Year Abbey Cox, who made an immediate impact in the throws. Cox reached the podium in three events, finishing second in the discus (34.67m) and hammer (39.23m) while placing third in the shot put (10.33m), positioning Maryville for continued growth in the field events.
Huntingdon earned 19 points and was tabbed to finish sixth after a sixth place showing at last year’s championship meet. The Hawks look to build momentum as they continue developing depth across events.
LaGrange (12 points) and Agnes Scott (8 points) round out the 2026 preseason poll, each aiming to make strides as the outdoor season unfolds.
Competition commences on Saturday, March 7, with a few conference teams taking the track for the outdoor season. Follow all the CCS men’s track and field action with updated scores, schedules, and results at
www.collegiateconferenceofthesouth.com.
The 2026 CCS Women’s Track and Field Championship opens on Tuesday, April 21 and concludes with final events on Wednesday, April 22, hosted by Belhaven University.
A look at the 2026 CCS Women’s Track and Field Preseason Poll:
2026 CCS Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Preseason Poll
| Ranking |
School |
Points |
| 1 |
Piedmont University |
47 points (6) |
| 2 |
Covenant College |
44 points (2) |
| 3 |
Asbury University |
37 points |
| 4 |
Belhaven University |
31 points |
| 5 |
Maryville College |
26 points |
| 6 |
Huntingdon College |
19 points |
| 7 |
LaGrange College |
12 points |
| 8 |
Agnes Scott College |
8 points |
Note: First place points in parentheses.
ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH (CCS)
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine member institutions (Agnes Scott College, Asbury University, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Maryville College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
Follow all things #CCSWTF on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram at @ccofsouth for all the latest news around the league.