ROCK HILL, S.C. - With a veteran squad that features five returning letterwinners, including four juniors and a sophomore, the Anderson University men's cross country team has been predicted to finish sixth in the 2015 Preseason South Atlantic Conference Coaches' Poll, as released by the league office Thursday morning.
With the top four spots in the poll reflecting the results of the 2014 SAC Championship, the Trojans were tabbed to capture the sixth slot with 71 points after claiming fifth at last year's league championships. Mars Hill, the defending NCAA Southeast Regional champion and 18-time defending conference champion, collected eight first-place votes and 121 points en route to taking the top spot in the poll.
Queens, which is entering its third season in the SAC and has finished as runners-up to the Lions each of the last two seasons, garnered three first-place nods and 115 points to take the second spot in the poll. Wingate claimed third place with one first-place vote and 102 points after finishing third at last year's championships.
Lenoir-Rhyne, which is the only other current league member to win a conference title, tallied 90 points to grab fourth place just in front of Lincoln Memorial with 81 points. The Trojans occupied the sixth spot despite outpacing the Railsplitters a year ago, while Coker, which is also entering its third season in the SAC, grabbed seventh place with 55 points. Catawba collected 43 points and was situated eighth, with Tusculum and Carson-Newman each garnering 42 points and tying for the ninth spot.
Brevard and Newberry rounded out the poll at 11th and 12th, respectively.
Juniors Ben Boerma, Michael Burch, Ned Kennedy and Jesse Patrick all return for their third season of collegiate competition, with the four runners combining to post nine top-40 finishes a year ago.
Sophomore Mason Hazel recorded his season-best effort and finished ninth in his first appearance in the conference championships last season, earning a spot on both the SAC All-Freshman team and the Second-Team All-Conference squad. Hazel became the first Trojan runner to bring home SAC All-Freshman accolades since a trio of AU runners earned the honor in 2010.
The Summerville, S.C., native followed up by being the first freshman to cross the finish line at the 2014 NCAA Division II Southeast Region Championships in Montevallo, Ala., capturing 12th-place.
Anderson opens the season on Sept. 4 at the Royals Twilight meet in Charlotte, N.C.
2015 SAC Preseason Men's Cross Country Coaches' Poll
School (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Mars Hill (8) 121
2. Queens (3) 115
3. Wingate (1) 102
4. Lenoir-Rhyne 90
5. Lincoln Memorial 81
6. Anderson 71
7. Coker 55
8. Catawba 43
9. Tusculum 42
Carson-Newman 42
11. Brevard 25
12. Newberry 16
