FOREST, Va. --- The beginning of the 2023 season for all collegiate sports is right around the corner with action starting on Friday afternoon. That includes a bevy of cross country events over the opening weekend. With that in mind, we take a look at what to expect in the ODAC Cross Country Season Preview.

WATCH: ODAC associate commissioner J.J. Nekoloff is joined by three of the league's head coaches in a roundtable discussion about the upcoming campaign.

• Brandon Spalding: Brandon is chair of the ODAC cross country coaches group and head coach for Washington and Lee's men's program; he is also involved in the USTFCCCA polling process on the men's side of the ledger (Shenandoah's Andy Marrocco has similar responsibilities in the women's ranks)
• Jake Reed: Jake earned both ODAC COY awards last year after his Lynchburg programs finished first through fifth in both ODAC races, collecting the minimum amount of points in claiming both conference trophies
• Derek Workman: Derek is the new head coach for cross country and track & field at Roanoke; the Maroons are the host of this year's ODAC championships at Green Hill Park in Salem

Watch the video (click the photo above) to get all the details about the upcoming season. Below we have included a few extra notes to help augment your preview of the upcoming season.

USTFCCCA POLLS
The ODAC is well-represented in the South Region polls and the Division III surveys published by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

• Women's National Poll: Lynchburg opens the season 14th in the country following a 21st place finish in last year's NCAA championships; Washington and Lee, which saw two individuals qualify for the national championship last year, slots 30th on the list of 35-ranked squads.
• Women's Regional Rankings: Two ODAC squads feature in the top-10 South Region preseason rankings; it all begins with last year's regional winner Lynchburg; Emory splits Lynchburg from Washington and Lee on the chart with the Generals listed third.
• Men's National Poll: Lynchburg's men's team has equally lofty aspirations as they open as the 15th ranked squad in D-III after a 30th place showing on the national stage; Washington and Lee also features in both national polls as the Generals' men sit 34th in the preseason list.
• Men's Regional Rankings: Three ODAC teams are in the initial list of 10-ranked programs in the South Region; Lynchburg tops the chart over last year's regional winner Emory University; Washington and Lee sits third as the Generals look to overtake Emory for a top-two position throughout the season just like W&L's women's program; Eastern Mennonite made strides last year and impressed many; the Royals open 2023 where they ended 2022 as the 10th ranked team in the South Region.

RETURNING ALL-ODAC TALENT
A total of 28 runners (1-7 are 1st Team, 8-14 are 2nd Team for both sports) earned All-ODAC status between the men's and women's ranks in 2022. Of that group, only eight do not feature on league rosters in 2023. On the men's side, ODAC Runner of the Year Frank Csorba leads a list of seven All-ODAC returners for Lynchburg including ODAC Co-Rookie of the Year Jonathan Cobb. The other part of that "co" honor is Colin Verrett, who looks poised for a breakout second season at W&L. The Generals feature three All-ODAC returners plus the ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year in former ODAC Rookie of the Meet (2020) Josh Fingerhut.

On the women's ledger, there will be a new runner of the year with Kelsey Lagunas not among those returning to Lynchburg. But the Hornets cupboards are still overflowing with five all-conference stars back in the Hill City including ODAC Rookie of the Year Hailey Smith; Bridgewater and W&L both feature two returners each with the Generals welcoming back 2022 national qualifier Kristen Clodgo.

• FIRST TEAM - MEN
  • Frank Csorba (LYN) - 1st (25:38.4)
  • Sam Llaneza (LYN) - 3rd (25:50.9)
  • Marko Kovacevic (LYN) - 4th (25:51.4)
  • Cooper Hurst (LYN) - 5th (25:52.5)
  • Row Sterne (W&L) - 6th (25:54.8)
  • Bryce Davis (LYN) - 7th (26:00.4)
• SECOND TEAM - MEN
  • Tor Hotung-Davidsen (LYN) - 8th (26:01.3)
  • Jonathan Cobb (LYN) - 9th (26:07.1)
  • Jackson Jacobs (W&L) - 11th (26:14.2)
  • Chris Ruiz (W&L) - 12th (26:20.4)
• FIRST TEAM - WOMEN
  • Sarah James (LYN) - 2nd (22:00.3)
  • Allison Dell (LYN) - 3rd (22:23.3)
  • Molly Silva (LYN) - 4th (22:24.5)
  • Lauren Massey (LYN) - 5th (22:31.9)
  • Mackenzie Young (BC) - 7th (22:50.9)
• SECOND TEAM - WOMEN
  • Elise Molinaro (W&L) - 8th (23:01.9)
  • Kristen Clodgo (W&L) - 9th (23:06.1)
  • Hailey Smith (LYN) - 10th (23:14.6)
  • Emily Smeds (BC) - 11th (23:21.8)
  • Vanessa Gardiner (EMU) - 14th (23:37.3)