RICHARDSON, TX (08.25.21) - The UT Dallas women's cross country has been projected to finish second in the 2021 ASC Championships later this fall, according to the league's preseason poll announced Wednesday.

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Coming off of back-to-back runner-up finishes, the Comet women will look to get back atop the league this fall when they return to their normal fall season of competition. UTD won the league title in both 2016 and 2017.

McMurry was tabbed as the favorite to win the league title despite picking up just 2-of-10 first-place votes for 89 points. UTD was a close second with 82 points while defending ASC champion Mary Hardin-Baylor was just one point back of the Comets at 81 with six top votes.

LeTourneau was fourth in the voting with 71 points while Hardin-Simmons (61) was fifth, Concordia Texas (49) sixth, East Texas Baptist (47) seventh, Ozarks (33) eighth, Belhaven (29) ninth and Sul Ross State (14) 10th.

In addition, two Comets were singled out among the 13 Runners to Watch in the ASC this fall. Sophomore Julie Bull, who missed the 2020-21 season, and freshman Maddie Ellis were both recognized top contenders individually this fall. Ellis was the Comets' top finisher at the league's spring championship, placing fourth to earn first team All-ASC honors. UTD sophomore Hannah Bennett, who placed seventh this spring for first team honors as well, also returns for the Comets. Bull was a second-team All-ASC honoree for the Comets in 2019.

The Comets will open the 2021 fall season on Saturday, Sep. 4, at the Nicole Leman Invite, hosted by LeTourneau in Longview. UTD has six regular-season meets on the schedule before the ASC Championships on Oct. 30, hosted by Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark.