Aug. 26, 2008

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Both the Paladin men's and women's cross country teams were picked to finish second in the Southern Conference, the league announced today.

The men's team, which received one first place vote and 86 total points, returns eight runners off a team that finished third in the conference last year.

Appalachian State was picked to win the men's cross country championship, with 10 first-place votes and 100 overall points.

The Furman women's team was also picked to finish second, with one first-place vote and 102 total points. The team returns eight runners from last year's team that finished third in the league.

Chattanooga was picked to repeat as the women's Southern Conference champion with 12 first-place votes and 120 total points.

The Furman cross country teams begin competition on September 6 in Spartanburg, S.C. at the Eye-Opener Invitational. Furman welcomes 7 men and 8 women newcomers to the cross country program.

2008 Cross Country Preseason Polls
Men
Team (#1 Votes), Points
1. Appalachian State (10), 100
2. Furman (1), 86
3. Chattanooga, 80
4. UNC Greensboro, 70
4. Davidson, 70
6. Samford, 48
7. Elon, 46
8. Western Carolina, 44
9. The Citadel, 27
10. College of Charleston, 24
11. Wofford, 10

Women
Team (#1 Votes), Points
1. Chattanooga (10), 120
2. Furman (1), 102
3. Appalachian State (1), 95
4. Davidson, 93
5. Elon, 81
6. Samford, 79
7. Western Carolina, 59
8. College of Charleston, 57
9. UNC Greensboro, 37
10. The Citadel, 34
11. Georgia Southern, 19
12. Wofford, 16