JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The South Atlantic Conference released the preseason cross country coaches' poll Thursday and the Carson-Newman's men's program placed eighth.
The eighth-place prediction would better the team's 2013 performance at Food Lion SAC Championships. The Eagles finished ninth last season.
"(The rankings) were pretty much based off the team we would have fielded this year, if we had the same people. And we don't," Carson-Newman coach Tony Parrilla said of the preseason poll. "We have a completely different team and we are really turning the page into building a solid foundation and going where we want to go."
Coach Tony Parrilla's squad returns sevens runners from last season, including sophomore Nick Guerra. Guerra was the team's top finisher at last season's Food City SAC Championship.
Two newcomers, Lachlan Dickie and Taylor Hawk, round out the squad.
Mars Hill was predicted to win the school's 18th consecutive title by picking up 10 of the 12 first-place votes and 120 points total. Queens and Anderson complete the top three, while Lincoln Memorial and Brevard tied for fourth with 80 points. Queens received the other two first-place votes.
Wingate and Lenior-Rhyne come in at the sixth and seventh positions, right before the Eagles. Carson-Newman's rival Tusculum comes in right after C-N with 38 points.
Coker, Catawba and Newberry round out the men's competition in 10th, 11th and 12th places respectfully.
Carson-Newman cross country will host the Orange/Blue meet Saturday, August 23rd at Greene Farm in Jefferson City before the team's first competitive meet at the Victor Ashe Meet at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville, Tenn. on September 6th.
2014 Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
|
School |
Total |
|
1. Mars Hill (10) |
120 |
|
2. Queens (2) |
112 |
|
3. Anderson |
95 |
|
4. Lincoln Memorial |
80 |
|
4. Brevard |
80 |
|
6. Wingate |
78 |
|
7. Lenior-Rhyne |
68 |
|
8. Carson-Newman |
42 |
|
9. Tusculum |
38 |
|
10. Coker |
28 |
|
11. Catawba |
27 |
|
12. Newberry |
24 |
-CN-