Women’s Cross Country Picked Third in SAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Posted: Aug 31, 2016

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Following a third-place finish at last year's South Atlantic Conference Championships, the Anderson women's cross country team has been predicted to finish third in the 2016 SAC Preseason Coaches' poll, as released by the league office Wednesday morning.

Buoyed by 12 returning letterwinners, including four All-SAC performers from a year ago, second-year head coach Kevin Licht's Trojans were positioned just behind three-time defending conference champion Wingate and Queens, which has captured runner-up honors each of the last three seasons.

"We are a lot further along than we were a year ago"," said Licht. "Everyone put the work in they needed to over the summer. I have been really impressed with how strong and how fit they are. They did exactly what they needed to do this summer."

The coaches' poll mirrored the results from the 2015 SAC Championship, with each spot unchanged from last year's championship results.

Wingate was selected to win the 2016 SAC title, collecting 11 top votes and 121 points after placing eight runners in the top 16 at the 2015 SAC Championship. Queens finished second in the voting with one top vote and 119 points and Anderson placed third with 101 points.

Carson-Newman picked up 81 points to garner the No. 4 spot in the poll and Coker finished up the top five for the women with 76 points.

Lincoln Memorial collected 73 points from the panel to place sixth in the poll, ahead of Catawba, which picked up 62 points. Mars Hill earned the No. 8 spot with 51 points, while Lenoir-Rhyne came in at No. 9 with 45 points. Tusculum (29 points), Brevard (17 points) and Newberry (11 points) wrapped up the poll.

After claiming back-to-back conference titles in 2010 and 2011, the Black and Gold is poised to remain in the upper echelon of the conference standings as well as the Southeast Region.

"Depth is our strength by far," said Licht. "If we have an injury, there's no pressure to get healthy quickly - just get healthy by November, which is a luxury."

With the start of the season looming on the horizon, senior Olivia Gardner, along with the junior duo of Haylee Love and Alex Dixon and sophomore Martha Coleman will each look to build on their conference accolades from a year ago.

Gardner and Love each paced the Trojans on two occasions a year ago, while Dixon led AU's effort at the NCAA Southeast Region Championships. Love was named SAC Runner of the Week in late September after winning the Bulldog Stampede.

"We were disappointed with how last season ended," added Licht. "We want mental and emotional consistency throughout the year. Instead of feeling beaten up and tired, we want to be excited and ready to go at the end of the season. I think that was one thing that was missing a year ago. We have a group, that on the right day, is capable of qualifying for nationals."

Anderson will get the season underway, Friday, Sept. 2 at the USC Upstate Eye Opener.

2016 SAC Preseason Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll
School (1st Place Votes) Points

1. Wingate (11) 121

2. Queens (1) 119

3. Anderson 101

4. Carson-Newman 86

5. Coker 76

6. Lincoln Memorial 73

7. Catawba 62

8. Mars Hill 51

9. Lenoir-Rhyne 45

10. Tusculum 29