Lynchburg, Roanoke Flip Second or Third in Both Polls
SALEM, Va. --- Washington and
Lee University garnered both first place positions in the men's and
women's preseason cross country coaches polls released by the Old
Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) on Friday. Lynchburg
College was tabbed second in the men's poll and third in the
women's survey while Roanoke College reversed the order with a
second place showing for the women and third for the men.
After running away with both titles last season, the Generals'
cross country programs return all but three of their combined top
ten runners. The W&L men's team welcomes back three of
its top five scoring runners from last season's ODAC
Championship. Junior Alex Mahoney finished just 5.5 seconds
behind former teammate and ODAC Runner of the Year Nathan
Johnson. Top 10 finishers Michael Welsh and Vance Berry are
joined by 12th place runner Andrew Friski to give head
coach John Tucker four outstanding runners to lead his squad.
Kris Hoey's W&L women's team might be in even better shape with
four of her top five runners back in action including Runner of the
Year Jackie Burns. Second place finisher Lindsay Erickson and
fourth place runner Becca Taylor are joined by 11th
place finisher Jenny Ratzel to give the Generals a quartet of
top-tier athletes.
Lynchburg's men return four of their five scoring runners from last
year's second place squad. Ricky Flynn and Brad O'Neil lead
the way after finishing third and fourth, respectively, at the
conference meet. The Lady Hornets also benefit from four
returning league scorers led by 12th place finisher
Amanda Diver.
Sixth place finisher Eric Johnson leads a strong Roanoke team
looking to improve on its third place finish last year. The
Maroons should be able to make a strong run at the top with three
of their top five scoring runners back in action. The women's
squad also has themselves poised for a run at the program's second
conference title. Last year's third place finisher Meg
Hartnet spearheads the squad.
Listed below is the entire 2006 ODAC coaches poll. For a more
in-depth view into each of the teams, please visit the ODAC on the
web at www.odaconline.com.
Men
1. Washington and Lee
2. Lynchburg
3. Roanoke
4. Bridgewater
5. Eastern Mennonite
t6. Hampden-Sydney
t6. Virginia Wesleyan
8. Guilford
9. Emory & Henry
Women
1. Washington and Lee
2. Roanoke
3. Lynchburg
4. Eastern Mennonite
5. Bridgewater
6. Va Wesleyan
7. Guilford
8. Emory & Henry