ROCK HILL, S.C. --- The Tusculum College men and women's cross country teams have both been picked to finish ninth at the South Atlantic Conference Championship, according to this year's preseason coaches' poll.
On the men's side, Tusculum received 25 total points, while the TC women garnered 22 points.
Mars Hill College, which has won 14 consecutive SAC men's titles, was chosen as this year's favorite. The Lions received 93 points, including seven first-place votes. Anderson University is picked second with 89 points and three first place nods. Lenoir-Rhyne University and Wingate University are tied for third with 77 points each, followed by Catawba College (55), Brevard College (49), Lincoln Memorial University (47), Carson-Newman College (26), Tusculum and Newberry College (12).
Anderson is the favorite to repeat as SAC women's cross country champion. The Trojans garnered 96 points and six first place votes. Lenoir-Rhyne is just three points behind (93) in second with four first place considerations. Wingate is third with 79 points, followed by Mars Hill (67), Carson-Newman (56), Catawba (48), Brevard (43), Lincoln Memorial (36), Tusculum and Newberry (10).
This year's squad features 13 runners, including four returning letter-winners. The women's team returns three, including Jenny Grant, Kim Brown and Ashley Andrukonis. The lone veteran on the men's squad is Elvis Machado.
The Pioneers continue their preseason preparations before opening the year on Sept. 3rd at the Guilford College Cross Country Carnival in Greensboro, N.C.
- SAC -
SAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
Pl. Team (1st Place Votes) Pts.
1 Mars Hill (7) 93
2 Anderson (3) 89
3 Lenoir-Rhyne 77
Wingate 77
5 Catawba 55
6 Brevard 49
7 Lincoln Memorial 47
8 Carson-Newman 26
9 TUSCULUM 25
10 Newberry 12
SAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
Pl. Team (1st Place Votes) Pts.
1 Anderson (6) 96
2 Lenoir-Rhyne (4) 93
3 Wingate 79
4 Mars Hill 67
5 Carson-Newman 56
6 Catawba 48
7 Brevard 43
8 Lincoln Memorial 36
9 TUSCULUM 22
10 Newberry 10
