Preseason Predictions Are Highest For Winthrop In Recent Years.
CHARLOTTE, NC– The Winthrop men's and women's cross country teams have been picked to finish among the top five teams in the 2009 Big South Conference championships as Coach Ben Paxton's men are predicted to finish fifth while the women have been chosen to finish fourth in the league's annual preseason polls as voted on by the head coaches.
The Liberty University men's and Coastal Carolina women's cross country squads have been picked to finish first.
The Flames, who are looking to win their fifth-straight Big South Men's Cross Country title, landed eight first-place votes and 98 out of a possible 100 points. High Point picked up two first-place votes and 88 points. In third-place was VMI with 82 points, followed by Coastal Carolina's 69 points and Winthrop's 55 points to round out the top five. UNC Asheville received 53 points to land in the No. 6 slot, while Gardner-Webb garnered 36 points for the seventh position. Coming in at No. 8 was Radford with 35 points, followed by Charleston Southern with 22 points. Presbyterian rounded out the voting for the men with 12 points.
After capturing the 2008 women's crown, the Chanticleers tallied six top votes and 95 out of a possible 100 points to win the 2009 crown. Liberty picked up three No. 1 votes and 91 points. In third place was High Point with one top bid and 82 points, and in the No. 4 position was Winthrop with 64 points. VMI totaled 57 points to finish fifth, followed by Radford with 54 points and UNC Asheville with 39 points. At the No. 8 slot was Gardner-Webb who collected 38 points, while Charleston Southern (17 points) and Presbyterian (13 points) completed the voting for the women.
The Men's and Women's Cross Country Conference Championships are slated for Saturday, Oct. 31, and will be hosted by High Point University.