ROCK HILL, S.C. --- Tusculum College junior Simon Holzapfel has been named to the 2009 Preseason All-South Atlantic Conference Men's Cross Country First Team, announced league officials Friday.

The Tusculum men are listed fifth in this year's SAC Cross Country Coaches' Poll, while the TC women's squad is listed eighth.

Holzapfel, a native of Nuremburg, Germany, is the top returning runner from last year's SAC Championship, as he finished the 8,000-meter course with a time of 26:26. It was the best finish ever by a TC male runner in the SAC Championship. Holzapfel had a banner sophomore campaign as he posted three individual wins in his seven competitive meets. He captured titles at the Tusculum Invitational, Lenoir-Rhyne Invitational and the Camp Bethel Open. His 8K time of 26:20.05 at the L-R Invitational was a new school record.

Holzapfel placed 10th at last year's NCAA Division II Southeast Regional, becoming the first TC male harrier to garner All-Region accolades. He has also shined in the classroom, posting a perfect 4.00 cumulative grade point average and earning a spot on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® College Division Track & Field/Cross Country Third Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The Tusculum men received 35 total points in vote of the league's nine cross country coaches. Mars Hill is the favorite to repeat as SAC Champions, as they received 80 points, including eight first place votes. Lenoir-Rhyne garnered a first-place nod and is picked second with 71 points. Wingate is tabbed third with 61 points, followed by Lincoln Memorial (47), Carson-Newman (38), Tusculum, Catawba (30), Brevard (23) and Newberry (20).

In the women's poll, Tusculum is tied for eighth with Brevard with 23 points each. Lenoir-Rhyne, last year's champion, is the favorite with 80 points. Wingate, who garnered one first-place vote, is second with 63 points. Mars Hill his third with 57 points, followed by Carson-Newman (56), Catawba (46), Lincoln Memorial (32), Newberry (25), Tusculum and Brevard.

Coach Jim Fields returns to guide the Tusculum program this year. Dr. Fields mentored the Pioneers for five seasons from 2000-05.

Tusculum will open the season next Friday (Sept. 4) as the Pioneers compete at the Stampede at Shoals in Elizabethton, Tenn.

- SAC -

2009 SAC Preseason Men's Cross Country Poll
Rk. Team (1st Place Votes) Pts.
1. Mars Hill (8) 80
2. Lenoir-Rhyne (1) 71
3. Wingate 61
4. Lincoln Memorial 47
5. Carson-Newman 38
6. TUSCULUM 35
7. Catawba 30
8. Brevard &