ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Carson-Newman men's and women's cross country teams are both picked by coaches to finish eighth in the South Atlantic Conference, officials announced today.
The men raked in 50 votes while the women followed with 49 votes.
"For us this is going to be a growing year and a learning year," Carson-Newman head Cross Country coach Tyler Stepp commented, "But we're still expecting to get better because I have such in faith in what Coach Phillips is doing. There are going to be a lot of new things but we're excited about it."
Coming in at the top of the list is last year's champion, Queens, with a unanimous vote of 110 points for both men and women.
Queens is led by returning SAC men's and women's Runners of the Year, Tom Bains and Hannah Wolkenhauer and Freshmen of the Year Nick Kipkemei and Gillian Kasitz. Bains and Wolkenhauer finished first in the SAC Team Championships last year and were followed by a slew of teammates that finished in the top ten on both the men and women's side.
For the men, Daniel Wallis, Kipkemei, and Felix Wammetsberger were named to the conference's first team. Bains, Conal McCampbridge, Jose Rosas and Anthony Raftis were named to the second team.
For the women, seven all-conference runners return for the defending NCAA Southeast Region Champions. For this season, Lucie Noall was named first-team while Wolkenhauer, Natane Deruytter and Kasitz were named second-team.
Behind the Lady Royals in the preseason poll coming in second place was Anderson with 98 points while on the men's poll Wingate followed in second with 98 points. The Anderson women's team is led by rising seniors Abigail Bozarth and Maddie Buddenberg. The Bulldogs at Wingate, finishing second in the SAC Championships last year, will be led by All-SAC First Team and All-Freshman team selection, Micah Kipchumba. Nepolian Patel and Dalton Cox were named second team.
The roles are reversed for third place on the polls as Wingate is projected to finish third on the women's side with 94 points while Anderson was picked for third on the men's side with 91 points.
The Eagles begin their season on the road at the Lenoir-Rhyne Invitational on September 14th and the SAC Championships will be held at Queens on November 3rd.
2018 SAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
Rank School Total
1. Queens (10) 110
2. Anderson (1) 98
3. Wingate 94
4. Catawba 75
T-5. Lincoln Memorial 71
T-5. Lenoir-Rhyne 71
7. Tusculum 54
8. Carson-Newman 49
9. Mars Hill 33
10. Coker 29
11. Newberry 22
2018 SAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
Rank School Total
1. Queens (10) 110
2. Wingate (1) 98
3. Anderson 91
4. Lincoln Memorial 75
5. Lenoir-Rhyne 74
6. Mars Hill 62
7. Catawba 57
8. Carson-Newman 50
9. Tusculum 41
10. Coker 28
11. Newberry 20
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