ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Anderson University men's cross-country team was picked third in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll, announced by the league office today.

Queens was voted as the favorite with 156 total points and 12 first place votes. The Royals have won three straight SAC Men's Cross-Country Championships. Wingate was picked second as they totaled 138 points and the lone remaining first place vote.

In an abbreviated 2020 season, the Trojans finished third place or better in three of their four meets, including a win in the 8th Annual UNG XC Invitational.

"We know that the SAC is the strongest conference within the southeast region with the potential of having three top 25 teams in the country," said coach Kevin Eagle. "Our main goal as a team is to compete at the NCAA Championships in Tampa on November 20th. To make that meet, we know we will have to battle with the top teams within the SAC come championship time. With the talent we have on the roster, it is my job to prepare our team for that task."

Philip Quillen, Patrick Berlejung, and Spain Vaughan were named as runners to watch for this upcoming season.

Quillen, a senior from Spartanburg, S.C., finished third place in the 8k at the 8th Annual UNG XC Invitational with a time of 26:24.6.

"Philip had some huge breakthroughs on the track last Spring, so I look for that to continue on the cross-country course this Fall," said Eagle.

Berlejung, a sophomore from Germany, will begin his first season on the cross-country team after joining the Trojans during track season last spring. His season best time was 8:45.38 in the 3k at the Camel City Invitational.

"Patrick had a stellar season with track and gained a lot of experience that will help him in his debut season with XC," said Eagle.

Vaughan, a freshman from Greer, S.C., joins the Trojans after graduating from Eastside High School.

"Spain comes into this fall as a true freshman, but we look for him to come in right away and display his talents each week," said Eagle. "As a high school senior, he was one of the fastest prep runners in the country. I cannot wait to see what he can do for us, especially as we continue to build our program on the national stage."

The Trojans will start their season on September 4th when they travel to Salisbury, N.C. for the Fleet Fleet XC Invitational. Results can be found at www.autrojans.com.

2021 SAC MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL