GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University men's and women's cross country teams are in the midst of preseason training for the start of their 2019 season.

The group of nine men and 12 women has been active in early-morning, mid-afternoon and evening runs, with an eye on the beginning of the schedule on Friday, Sept. 6 in the Zaxby's Open at the nearby Holston Home for Children course.

Head coach Cory Pratt begins his seventh season looking to build off seventh-place finishes for both the men and women at last year's South Atlantic Conference Championship.

"It's always exciting to see where the teams' fitness levels are in the first week. That gives us a clear picture of what we must do over the next 12 to 16 weeks," said Pratt. "But in my seven years, this is the best starting point we have had top to bottom."

The Pioneers will culminate their schedule with the SAC Championship at Wingate, North Carolina on Oct. 26 followed by the NCAA Southeast Regional on Nov. 9, also at Wingate.