The Brenau University softball team is ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Softball Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll, ahead of five other Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) teams. Six teams in the top 25 and three Top 10 teams is the most representation by any conference in the poll.

The Golden Tigers are ranked as the No. 1 team in the SSAC, ahead of three other Georgia schools: Shorter University (No. 3), Brewton-Parker College (No. 8) and Emmanuel College (No. 11).

Cross Country

Brenau University freshman Brittany Aikens will represent the school at the NAIA Cross Country National Championships at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday in Vancouver, Wash.

Aikens qualified by finishing seventh at the SSAC Conference meet with a time of 19 minutes, 22 seconds.

On top of being the first Golden Tiger to qualify for the national championships, Aikens was also named a member of the 2011 SSAC All-Freshman Team and the SSAC All-Conference Team.

Shorter University, the conference champion, and Lee University will represent the SSAC in the team races.