SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The UNCG men’s cross country team and the Elon women have been selected as the 2012 preseason favorites, as voted by the league’s coaches.

UNCG, the reigning SoCon Men’s Champions, received nine first-place votes for a total of 99 points. The Spartan men are anchored by the return of All-American and 2011 SoCon Runner of the Year Paul Chelimo, as well as 2011 SoCon Freshman of the Year Paul Katam.

Appalachian State was picked second with 86 points. The 2011 Conference Runner-Up, Davidson, was selected third, receiving two first-place votes (81 points). Furman, under first-year head coach Robert Gary, was picked fourth (76 points).

On the women’s side, Elon was selected the preseason favorite after taking third place at the 2011 SoCon Championships.  The Phoenix received seven first-place votes (115 points) and return Allyson Oram, who set a school record at last year’s SoCon Championships.

UNCG, the 2011 SoCon Champions, received two first-place vote and a total of 103 points, placing them second in the preseason poll. The Appalachian State women received one first-place vote and were tabbed third (99 points). Furman, who received two first-place votes (88 points), and Samford (84 points) rounded out the top five.

Most programs will begin the 2012 season the weekend of September 1, while the remaining teams open their seasons the following weekend.

The 2012 SoCon Championship will be held in Charleston, S.C., on October 27.

2012 Cross Country Preseason Polls

Men

Team (#1 Votes) Points

1. UNCG (9) 99

2. Appalachian State 86

3. Davidson (2) 81

4. Furman 76

5. Chattanooga 65

6. Western Carolina 54

7. Elon 49

8. Samford 31

9. College of Charleston 30

10. Wofford 18

11. The Citadel 16

Women (#1 Votes) Points

1. Elon (7) 115

2. UNCG (2) 103

3. Appalachian State (1) 99

4. Furman (2) 88

5. Samford 84

6. Davidson 67

7. Western Carolina 61

8. College of Charleston 55

9. Chattanooga 48

10. Wofford 35

11. Georgia Southern 20

12. The Citadel 17