CHARLOTTE, N.C. ? Both the UNC Asheville men's and women's cross country teams were picked to finish in eighth place in the Big South Conference's annual preseason poll, as voted by the League's Head Cross Country Coaches. The Big South Conference the results of each poll this afternoon.
Liberty University was picked to win both the men's and women's title once again this year.
On the men's side, the Flames, who are looking to win their fourth-straight Big South Cross Country title, picked up nine first-place votes and 99 out of a possible 100 points. The Flames, who had four top 10 finishers in last year's conference meet, finished ahead of High Point, who notched one first-place vote and 90 points. The Panthers will be led by returning All-Big South runners Tamas Kovacs and Jessie Cherry. VMI finished third in the voting with 73 points, ahead of fourth-place Coastal Carolina, which tallied 64 points. Winthrop rounded out the top five with 61 points. Radford was tabbed No. 6 with 58 points and Gardner-Webb and UNC Asheville tied for seventh with 34 points. Presbyterian was voted ninth with 19 points and Charleston Southern closed the poll out with 18 points.
Liberty was picked to win its third-straight championship on the women's side, receiving seven first-place votes and 97 out of a possible 100 points. The Lady Flames, which posted four finishers in the top 10 in last year's championship meet, finished ahead of Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers, who have had the top individual finisher for the last three years, recorded three top nods and 91 points. High Point was predicted third with 80 points. Radford picked up 66 points, which was good for the No. 4 spot, while Winthrop edged out VMI for the No. 5 slot with 54 points, leaving the Keydets No. 6 with 53 points. Big South newcomer Gardner-Webb (39 points), UNC Asheville (34), Presbyterian (20) and Charleston Southern (17) completed the voting for the women.
“This is about where I expected us to be picked,” stated second-year coach Jesse Norman. “We are hopeful to finish higher than that this season. However, we have a lot of work to do before the conference championship.”
UNC Asheville opens the 2008 cross country season this Friday evening at Western Carolina. The New Balance Men's and Women's Cross Country Conference Championship is slated for Saturday, Nov. 1, and will be hosted by Liberty.
