ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Tech men's cross country team earned its highest preseason ranking in program history, coming in at No. 4 in the Sunshine State Conference Preseason Poll, announced Wednesday.

After climbing three spots from the 2023 to 2024 SSC Championships to finish fifth, the Panthers are poised for an even stronger season. The squad welcomes six newcomers, highlighted by SSC Outdoor Track Freshman of the Year and 400-meter hurdles champion Filippo Fazzi, who adds depth and versatility to the lineup.
 
Tech also returns a key piece in Ben Peck, the reigning SSC Cross Country Freshman of the Year, who looks to build on a breakout debut season and make an even bigger impact in 2024.
 
In the preseason poll, Florida Southern, the 2024 SSC Champions, were picked to repeat with 81 points and nine first-place votes. Tampa followed closely in second with 69 points, while Embry-Riddle collected the final first-place vote and ranked third with 67 points.
 
Rounding out the poll were Palm Beach Atlantic in fifth (48 points), Nova Southeastern in sixth (45), and Lynn in seventh (32). Barry and Saint Leo tied for eighth with 24 points each, while Eckerd was slotted ninth with nine points.
 
The Panthers will open their 2024 campaign on September 6 at the Swan City Classic in Lakeland.
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