ANDERSON, S.C. - As the Trojans begin their quest for a third South Atlantic Conference Championship in the last four seasons, the Anderson women's cross country team has been predicted to finish third in the 2013 preseason coaches' poll, as released by the league office Thursday morning.
In addition, after posting a 10th-place finish in last year's SAC Championships, junior Sydney Hazel has been named to the 2013 Preseason All-SAC First Team. The native of Summerville, S.C. earned first-team all-conference accolades last season and was named to the all-freshman squad at the conclusion of the 2012 campaign.
"We are looking for Sydney to continue her strong performances, be a low scorer for us and help lead the team," said Anderson head coach Randy Greer.
The young Trojan squad, which includes five true freshmen with just two seniors on the roster, edged Mars Hill for the third spot in the poll with 93 points, while the Lions garnered 91 points.
The coaches' poll nearly mirrors the results from the 2012 SAC Championship, with conference newcomers Queens, which received one first-place vote, and Coker tabbed fifth and 11th, respectively.
Defending champion Lenoir-Rhyne, which finished second to the
Trojans in both 2010 and 2011, collected 116 points and nine
first-place votes as the Bears were projected to earn their fourth
conference title in the last six years. After placing second in
last year's championship, Wingate tallied 112 points and a pair of
first-place votes and were predicted to finish second this
year.
AU was followed by No. 4 Mars Hill and No. 5 Queens, which finished
10th at the Conference Carolinas Championship. Lincoln Memorial was
sixth in the preseason poll, Brevard was seventh, Carson-Newman
eighth and Catawba was ninth. Those teams placed fifth, sixth,
seventh and eighth, respectively, at the 2012 SAC Championship.
Tusculum is No. 10 in the poll, followed by No. 11 Coker and No. 12 Newberry. Tusculum finished ninth and Newberry 10th last year at the SAC Championship, while Coker placed 12th at the Conference Carolinas Championship.
"It's a good start for us," added Greer. "This is about where I expected, but we are capable of finishing higher."
Anderson opens the season on Sept. 6 at USC Upstate's Eye Opener in Spartanburg, S.C.
SAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
Teams Points (1st-place votes)
1. Lenoir-Rhyne 116 (9)
2. Wingate 112 (2)
3. Anderson 93
4. Mars Hill 91
5. Queens 82 (1)
6. Lincoln Memorial 70
7. Brevard 69
8. Carson-Newman 56
9. Catawba 36
10. Tusculum 24
11. Coker 22
12. Newberry 21
SAC Preseason First Team
Keeley Wood, WU
Kristen Trammel, MHU
Hannah Cook, BC
Marie Mauhar, L-R
Angela Canale, BC
Sydney Hazel, AU
Laura Rhyne, L-R
SAC Preseason Second Team
Sam Haering, WU
Jessica Viscusi, MHU
Ashley Kale, L-R
Tia Belter, LMU
Tiana Barnes, WU
Savannah Hulbert, MHU
Heidi Hooker, MHU
