THOMASVILLE, N.C. -- In a close vote by the Conference Carolinas head coaches, Anderson University edged St. Andrews Presbyterian College by one point in the 2007 men's cross country poll. Anderson won the '06 conference meet by five points over St. Andrews. St. Andrews went on to win the Southeast Regional meet and advance to the NCAA Division II meet. Increased depth will make the Anderson University men's cross country team a serious contender to repeat as conference champions and make a serious run at a bid to the NCAA Division II national meet. "Our men's team would be better this season even if we didn't bring anyone in," said AU head coach Randy Greer. "We're going to be really strong one through nine. Everyone is excited. We know we're good, we know we're going to be better, and we've got some help coming in." The Trojans won three meets last fall - Lander, Marietta, and the conference championship meet. They finished fourth in the region meet at Wingate to barely miss a trip to the nationals. Nathan Parsons returns to lead the team. Parsons recorded six top-10 finishes in 2006. Coach Greer also is expecting big seasons from Ethan Schaffner, Jeremy Hunsaker, Jason Bryan, and Alex Jordan. St. Andrews men's cross country team will seek to continue to build on back-to-back trips to the NCAA Division II National Championship with a roster that features a strong core of letterwinners. The Knights bounced back from a slim five-point, runner-up finish in the '06 Conference Championships by winning the Southeast Regional. The Knights will try and reclaim the conference title they won in '05 behind veteran upperclassmen that includes the '06 Conference Runner of the Year and All-Southeast selection, junior Mitch Cooper. St. Andrews also returns '06 Conference Freshman of the Year Pedro Tapia Jr. and '05 All-Conference junior Perry Morris. "Our team chemistry is the best it has been in the six years I have been at St. Andrews and this will foster a positive training environment, which in turn should provide us with successful race results," said St. Andrews head coach Gary Aycock. Lees-McRae College is picked third in this year's poll. After finishing last season's NCAA Southeast regional in sixth place and the conference meet in fourth place with a young team, the Bobcats appear poised to challenge for the championship this season. After a red-shirt season in '06, senior Lewis Martin returns for the Bobcats to try and reclaim the individual conference title he won in '05. Returning All-Conference performers Josh Blanc and Chris Holtstein will assist Martin. The Bobcats will be seeking their fifth team title in 10 years. "I'm excited about our team this season," said Lees-McRae head coach Craig McPhail. "The chemistry and leadership should make this a fun and enjoyable year. We will need to maintain development, stay away from injuries and continue to set high goals giving us a great chance for success. Having Lewis compete this year helps. We'll need his passion and leadership to help guide us to the places we want to be." CVAC Men's Cross Country Pre-Season Poll (# of First Place Votes in Parenthesis) 1. Anderson (6) 93 2. St. Andrews (4) 92 3. Lees-McRae (1) 83 4. Queens 68 5. Coker 67 6. Limestone 51 7. Pfeiffer 47 8. Erskine 38 9. Belmont Abbey 24 10. Barton 22 11. Mount Olive 20