ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Anderson University men's track and field team has been picked to finish fifth in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as released by the conference office, Friday morning.
Standouts Christopher Burton, Mason Hazel and Anthony Aleruchi each earned a spot on the 2017 SAC Preseason Watch List. Aleruchi holds the school record in the discus throw, while Hazel is the reigning SAC Champion in the 10,000 meters and is a two-time all-conference honoree. The Summerville, S.C., native is a six-time All-Southeast Region honoree and is a three-time national qualifier. Burton claimed Second-Team All-SAC honors in both 2015 and 2016 in the 100 meters and 200 meters and was a member of AU's 4x100 meter relay squad that earned second-team all-conference recognition last year.
Two-time defending champion Queens was tabbed to claim its third straight SAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship, with Wingate, which finished third a year ago, placing second in the poll. Lenoir-Rhyne claimed third in the poll following a second-place finish last year. Carson-Newman was voted fourth by the panel with 46 points, while Anderson held the No. 5 spot with 45 points.
Coming in at No. 6 was Coker after receiving 36 points, followed by Mars Hill at No. 7 with 28 points. Lincoln Memorial placed eighth with 21 points, while Brevard rounded out the poll at the No. 9 spot with 11 points.
The 2017 SAC Championships are scheduled to be hosted by Lenoir-Rhyne, April 14-15, in Hickory, N.C.
Anderson is slated to open the season next Friday and Saturday at the Raleigh Relays and the Emory Classic.
Preseason South Atlantic Conference Coaches' Poll
(First-Place Votes) Points
1. Queens (8) 72
2. Wingate 55
3. Lenoir-Rhyne (1) 50
4. Carson-Newman 46
5. Anderson 45
6. Coker 36
7. Mars Hill 28
8. Lincoln Memorial 21
9. Brevard 11
Preseason South Atlantic Conference Watch List
Anderson
Sprints - Chris Burton
Distance - Mason Hazel
Field – Anthony Aleruchi
Brevard
Sprints - Marlowe Macklin
Distance - Hassan Kiprono
Field – N/A
Carson-Newman
Sprints – Tim Eady
Distance – N/A
Field - Tanner Stepp
Coker
Sprints – Tony McElveen
Distance – Brandon Mullins
Field – Marcus Bryant
Lenoir-Rhyne
Sprints – C.J. Williams
Distance – Jacob Black
Field – Myles Braswell-Sample
Lincoln Memorial
Sprints – Jorge Hernandez
Distance – Oluwatosin Balogun
Field – N/A
Mars Hill
Sprints – Marlon Allen
Distance - Nathan Jones
Field - Spencer Shade
Queens
Sprints - Anton Epp
Distance – N/A
Field – N/A
Wingate
Sprints - Breon Jenkins, Dalton Cox
Distance – N/A
Field - Isaiah Kyle
