Conference Cross Country Coaches Select Preseason Poll
The Appalachian State men's cross country team and the Samford women's team have been selected preseason favorites in balloting conducted by the league's head coaches, the conference office announced today.
The Mountaineer men and the Bulldog women both took last season's conference title. Appalachian State is looking for its sixth straight SoCon Championship, while Samford is seeking its second consecutive title.
Appalachian State received five first-place votes and 92 points overall. The Mountaineers return three runners that finished in the top-25 at the 2009 SoCon Championship, including 2009 first team all-conference junior Sean Soderman. Also coming back for the Black and Gold are sophomores Burk Staub and Brian Graves, who were both members of the all-freshmen team a year ago.
Finishing close behind the Mountaineers in the voting was UNCG, who came in second with four first-place votes and 89 total points. The Spartans return four runners that finished in the top-20 in last season's championship. These runners are juniors Mike Koech and Joey Thompson, who both earned first team all-conference in 2009, and seniors Andy Clyne and AJ Savoia. Clyne earned second team all-conference last year for the Spartans. UNCG is looking to improve on its third-place finish from a season ago at this year's championship.
Receiving the final two first-place votes and coming in third in the balloting is Chattanooga with 78 total points. The Mocs were runners-up last season and return the two-time SoCon Runner of the Year in Emmanuel Kirwa. Chattanooga also returns junior Joshue Vasquez, who was a top-20 finisher in the 2009 championship, and sophomores Kyle McLarty and Mark Cole, who both represented the Mocs on the 2009 all-freshman team.
On the women's side, Samford received nine first-place votes and 116 points overall. The Bulldogs return two of the top runners from the 2009 championship in seniors Hillary Neal and Ina Ables, who finished fourth and fifth overall, respectively, and were both named first team all-conference. Also returning for Samford is sophomore Lauren D'Alessio, who finished in the top-30 and helped the Bulldogs claim the SoCon title.
Elon, who finished second in the 2009 championship, received two first-place votes and gathered 110 total points to finish behind Samford in the voting. The Phoenix return a strong team, which includes four runners who finished in the top-25 last season. Coming back for Elon are senior Emily Fournier, a second team all-conference selection in 2009, and sophomores Morgan Denecke and Sullivan Parkes, who both earned all-freshman honors last season. Junior Allyson Costa, who was a top-25 finisher in the 2009 SoCon championship, also returns for the Phoenix.
Appalachian State received the final first-place vote and took the third slot with 98 total points in the preseason balloting. The Mountaineers return three runners with top-25 finishes in the 2009 championship. Among them is the most decorated runner from last season in Brittney Caudle. Caudle finished first in the SoCon championship and took home several awards, which included Runner of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Caudle was a member of both the first team all-conference and the all-freshmen team. Joining Caudle on the 2009 all-freshmen team last season was Trinity Foreman, who returns for the Mountaineers along with senior Dani Reese, who had a top-20 last season's championship.
The 2010 Southern Conference Championships will be held on Saturday, October 30 in Boone, N.C.
Note: Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team in the preseason ballot.
2010 Cross Country Preseason Polls
Men
Team (#1 votes) Points
1. Appalachian State (5) 92
2. UNCG (4) 89
3. Chattanooga (2) 78
4. Davidson 75
5. Elon 65
6. Furman 64
7. Western Carolina 43
8. College of Charleston 36
9. Samford 30
10. The Citadel 20
11. Wofford 13
Women
Team (#1 votes) Points
1. Samford (9) 116
2. Elon (2) 110
3. Appalachian State (1) 98
4. Davidson 90
5. Chattanooga 81
6. Furman 79
T7. UNCG 56
T7. Western Carolina 56
9. College of Charleston 42
10. Wofford 30
11. The Citadel 18
12. Georgia Southern 16
-www.SoConSports.com-