SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman has been selected as the 2014 preseason favorite for both men’s and women’s cross country by the league’s 10 coaches. The Paladins are the reigning Southern Conference Champions on both sides having swept the two events at 2013 SoCon Championships.
Furman, led by 2013 Coach-of-the-Year Robert Gary, received all nine possible first-place votes on both sides. Samford received a first-place vote on the men’s side while Western Carolina earned a first-place vote on the women’s side. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
On the men’s side, Chattanooga finished second with 66 points followed by East Tennessee State in third with 64 points. Samford was ranked fourth with 58 points and UNCG came in fifth with 47 points.
On the women’s side, Chattanooga also finished second with 63 points. The Mocs are led by junior Teghan Henderson, who was named 2013 SoCon Runner-of-the-Year on the women’s side.
Samford finished third with a total of 61 points, just points shy of Chattanooga for second. East Tennessee State (60 points) and UNCG (50 points) rounded out the top five.
The majority of the SoCon programs will open their respective seasons on the weekend of August 29, with the remaining schools opening the following weekend.
The 2014 SoCon Cross Country Championship will be held on October 31 in Greensboro, N.C.
2014 Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Men’s Cross Country
1. Furman (9) 81
2. Chattanooga 66
3. East Tennessee State 64
4. Samford (1) 58
5. UNCG 47
6. Western Carolina 43
7. VMI 36
8. The Citadel 21
9. Wofford 18
10. Mercer 16
Women’s Cross Country
1. Furman (9) 81
2. Chattanooga 63
3. Samford 61
4. East Tennessee State 60
5. UNCG 50
6. Western Carolina (1) 43
T7. Mercer 26
T7. VMI 26
9. Wofford 25
10. The Citadel 15
() denotes first-place votes