NEW ORLEANS, LA. – The Anderson University men's cross country team has been ranked third in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division II Southeast Region Poll, announced by the association on Monday (Aug. 29).
"Our ultimate goal for the year is to get this team to NCAA Nationals at the end of the year," said coach Kevin Eagle. "That will take a top-three finish at the regional championships. We are looking like a top-three team now, but it is a long way to go until November when meaningful races actually begin. I am excited to see this group take off!"
Defending regional champion Wingate topped the Southeast Region Poll, after being voted first in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll on Aug. 17. Last year's fourth place finishing Augusta out of the Peach Belt Conference ranks second, with Anderson taking third. Emmauel (GA) from Conference Carolinas finished fourth, and Catawba rounded out the top-five.
Spain Vaughan and Daniel Similton were both named athletes to watch in the conference press release after great seasons in 2021. At the conclusion of the season, both were named to the USTFCCCA All-Region team along with Philip Quillen.
Vaughan, a sophomore from Greer, S.C., is coming off a great freshman season in the black and gold. Vaughan ran a season best in the 8k (24:46) at the SAC XC Championships and the 10k (31:58.4) at the NCAA Division II Southeast Region XC Championships.
Similton, a senior from Indian Trial, N.C., excelled in the 8k last season by winning at the Run the Berry Invite (27:54) and recording a personal best time at the Queen City Invite (24:54. At the NCAA Division II Southeast Region XC Championships, he ran a personal best in the 10k with a time of 31:57.3.
The Trojans will get the 2022 season started on September 17th when the team travels to Spartanburg, S.C. for the Converse Kick-Off Classic.
"The Converse meet has become more and more competitive over the last few years as teams look to open their seasons on a fantastic course," said coach Kevin Eagle. "Our goal for this one is to simply get racing legs back under us. This will be the first competition for most since May, so it will play as a rust-buster for us as we compete as quality teams."
