Washington and Lee Tops ODAC Women's Cross Country Poll

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Posted: Aug 16, 2018

W&L Earns 10 First Place Votes, Lynchburg and Shenandoah Get Top Consideration

FOREST, Va. --- The top-six places in the ODAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll shuffled positions this season, except for the top spot. Three-time defending ODAC champion Washington and Lee University garnered 10 first place votes for the second straight year on the way to 141 total points. The University of Lynchburg moved up a few rungs to second position with 128 markers including a pair of first place votes. Bridgewater College sits third with 111 tallies, while Shenandoah University climbs to fourth with 108 points and the remaining top nod.

Washington and Lee ran away with the conference hardware in 2017, posting a 40-point victory over runner-up Lynchburg via a 34 to 74 point total. The Generals' five scoring runners place inside the top-10, led by Kirsten McMichael in third place (22:16.8). Julia Moody (22.23.2), Anna Nelson (22:25.2), and Hannah Dieterle (22:26.0) finished 6-7-8, respectively, while Katie Harris capped the scoring in 10th place (22:35.9). Virginia Wesleyan University standout Marissa Coombs claimed the individual crown with a time of 22:01.3, which out-paced runner-up Michaela Mast from Eastern Mennonite University by 0:11.5 (2:12.8).

Lynchburg and Washington and Lee narrowly missed earning at-large selections as teams to the NCAA championships following fourth and fifth place finishes, respectively, in the Division III South/Southeast Regional Championship. Coombs, however, punched her ticket to the national meet for a second straight year by finishing eighth overall (21:53.4) in the regional race just a few minutes from VWU's campus on the Lee Hall Mansion course in Newport News, Va.

Coombs carried the Marlin and ODAC banners in Elsah, Ill., at the national championship hosted by Principia College. She improved 30 spots in overall placing from her 2016 experience, chiming in 130th at 22:25.9 in adverse weather conditions.

RELATED: 2017 ODAC Championship Results | 2017 Regional Results | 2017 NCAA Results

Conference rosters are chalk full of returning talent with 11 of the top-14 runners back in 2018. The only two missing are VWU's Coombs and EMU's Mast. Washington and Lee welcomes back all six of its all-conference honorees, three each on the All-ODAC First and Second Teams. McMichael (3rd), Moody (6th), and Nelson (7th) were all first teamers, while Dieterle (8th), Harris (10th), and Katie Bearup (14th) complete the group.

Both Lynchburg and Bridgewater feature a returning first and second teamer each. Morgan Watson (4th) paced the Hornets at the conference championships, while Michela Cholak (9th) could easily find herself in the top-seven. Bridgewater welcomes back Calista Ariel (5th) and Jenna Rea (13th) to lead the Eagles contingent.

The remaining all-conference returner dons Shenandoah University colors. Aislynn Smith (12th) leads an up-and-coming SU squad into the new season.

RELATED: 2017 All-ODAC Awards

The 2018 season begins with a series of events on Friday, August 31. The ODAC Preview will be hosted by eventual conference championship-host Shenandoah University on Saturday, September 22. The conference championships will be Saturday, October 27. Both the preview and championship will be conducted at Kernstown Battlefield in Kernstown, Va.

The NCAA postseason opens with the regional competition on Saturday, November 10. The Division III South/Southeast Regional Championship will be hosted by Berry College in Mt. Berry, Ga. The NCAA Division III National Championship is slated for Saturday, November 17 at Lake Breeze Golf Club in Winneconne, Wis.

Listed below is the 201 ODAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll as well as preview capsules for each of the ODAC women's cross country programs. For more information on ODAC women's cross country, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.

2018 ODAC WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
*(#) Denotes First Place Votes*
1. Washington and Lee University (10)	141 pts.
2. University of Lynchburg (2)	128 pts.
3. Bridgewater College	108 pts.
4. Shenandoah University (1)	108 pts.
5. Eastern Mennonite University	102 pts.
6. Roanoke College	99 pts.
7. Virginia Wesleyan University	82 pts.
8. Emory & Henry College	65 pts.
9. Guilford College	47 pts.
10. Randolph College	42 pts.
11. Sweet Briar College	31 pts.
12. Ferrum College	29 pts.
12. Hollins University	29 pts.

	2018 Poll Position: 3rd Head Coach: Brian Flynn 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 4th \| 114 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Calista Ariel \| 22:22.0 (5th) 2017 Regionals Finish: 11th \| 383 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Calista Ariel \| 22:42.6 (29th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: Calista Ariel (5th) Second Team: Jenna Rea (13th) Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Did not compete at this distance 6K Course: Calista Ariel \| 22:22.0 (ODAC Champs)				2018 Poll Position: 5th Head Coach: Bob Hepler 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 3rd \| 85 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Michaela Mast \| 22:12.8 (2nd) 2017 Regionals Finish: 9th \| 318 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Michaela Mast \| 22:16.5 (16th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Elizabeth Nisly \| 20:58.30 (Hyder-McMahill) 6K Course: Elizabeth Nisly \| 22:50.2 (ODAC Champs)

	2018 Poll Position: 8th Head Coach: David Cheromei 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 8th \| 222 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Alette McGuire \| 23:20.8 (21st) 2017 Regionals Finish: No team score 2017 Regionals Top Time: Alette McGuire \| 24:19.5 (102nd) 2016 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Alette McGuire \| 18;58.0 (Royals Twilight) 6K Course: Alette McGuire \| 23:20.8 (ODAC Champs)				2018 Poll Position: T-12th Head Coach: Mark White 2017 USAS Champs Finish: 13th \| 382 pts. 2017 USAS Champs Top Time: Cynthia Aldama \| 28:35.86 (64th) 2017 Regionals Finish: Did not compete 2017 Regionals Top Time: N/a 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-USAS RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Cynthia Aldama \| 23:23.7 (39th) 6K Course: Cynthia Aldama \| 28:35.86 (64th)

	2018 Poll Position: 9th Head Coach: Marla Lindsay 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 9th \| 283 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Sommer Fanney \| 25:32.5 (53rd) 2017 Regionals Finish: 31st \| 844 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Sommer Fanney \| 23:26.8 (67th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Samantha Brooks \| 24:30.0 (Chick-Fil-A Meet) 6K Course: Samantha Brooks \| 27:29.4 (ODAC Regionals)				2018 Poll Position: T-12th Head Coaches: Alex Kosicki 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 10th \| 296 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Jhovanna Ramirez-Salmeron \| 25:03.3 (41st) 2017 Regionals Finish: Did not compete 2017 Regionals Top Time: N/A 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Debra Henke \| 23:58.8 (Greensboro Inv.) 6K Course: Francesca Reilly \| 27:14.1 (ODAC Champs)

	2018 Poll Position: 2nd Head Coach: Jim Sprecher 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 2nd \| 74 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Morgan Watson \| 22:21.2 (4th) 2017 Regionals Finish: 4th \| 171 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Samantha Schreiber \| 22:07.4 (13th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: Morgan Watson (4th) Second Team: Michela Cholak (9th) Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Samantha Schreiber \| 19:16.0 (Covered Bridge) 6K Course: Samantha Schreiber \| 22:07.4 (Regional Champs)				2018 Poll Position: 10th Head Coach: Bill Cooper 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 12th \| 346 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Sophia Dill \| 28:19.1 (69th) 2017 Regionals Finish: Did not compete 2017 Regionals Top Time: N/A 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Liz Beairsto \| 25:19.0 (Queen City) 6K Course: Liz Beairsto \| 28:44.2 (ODAC Preview)

	2018 Poll Position: 6th Head Coach: Kirk Nauman 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 6th \| 139 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Alexis Mattson \| 23:03.7 (18th) 2017 Regionals Finish: 15th \| 439 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Alexis Mattson \| 23:37.8 (72nd) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Alexis Mattson \| 21:09.6 (Hyder-Mahill) 6K Course: Alexis Mattson \| 23:03.7 (ODAC Champs)				2018 Poll Position: 4th Head Coach: Andy Marrocco 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 5th \| 131 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Aislynn Smith \| 22:39.5 (12th) 2017 Regionals Finish: 20th \| 547 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Aislynn Smith \| 22:51.4 (36th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: Aislynn Smith (12th) Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Aislynn Smith \| 20:47.7 (Hornet Harrier) 6K Course: Aislynn Smith \| 22:39.5 (ODAC Champs)

	2018 Poll Position: 11th Head Coach: Jacob Smith 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 11th \| 325 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Victoria Lawson \| 27:18.9 (65th) 2017 Regionals Finish: Did not compete 2017 Regionals Top Time: N/A 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Did not compete at this distance 6K Course: Victoria Lawson \| 27:18.9 (ODAC Champs)				2018 Poll Position: 7th Head Coach: Krista Littleton 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 7th \| 159 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Marissa Coombs \| 22:01.3 (1st) 2017 Regionals Finish: 21st \| 560 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Marissa Coombs \| 21:53.4 (8th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: Marissa Coombs \| 22:25.9 (130th) Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Trini Cole \| 23:17.6 (adidas Challenge) 6K Course: Trini Cole \| 25:26.7 (ODAC Champs)

	2018 Poll Position: 1st Head Coach: Mike Dager 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 1st \| 34 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Kirsten McMichael \| 22:16.8 (3rd) 2017 Regionals Finish: 5th \| 181 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Julia Moody \| 22:32.5 (21st) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: Kirsten McMichael (3rd), Julia Moody (6th), Anna Nelson (7th) Second Team: Hannah Dieterle (8th), Katie Harris (10th), Katie Bearup (14th) Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Kate Flory \| 21:05.3 (Hornet Harrier) 6K Course: Kirsten McMichael \| 22:16.8 (ODAC Champs)

	2018 Poll Position: 3rd Head Coach: Brian Flynn 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 4th \| 114 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Calista Ariel \| 22:22.0 (5th) 2017 Regionals Finish: 11th \| 383 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Calista Ariel \| 22:42.6 (29th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: Calista Ariel (5th) Second Team: Jenna Rea (13th) Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Did not compete at this distance 6K Course: Calista Ariel \| 22:22.0 (ODAC Champs)				2018 Poll Position: 5th Head Coach: Bob Hepler 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 3rd \| 85 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Michaela Mast \| 22:12.8 (2nd) 2017 Regionals Finish: 9th \| 318 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Michaela Mast \| 22:16.5 (16th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Elizabeth Nisly \| 20:58.30 (Hyder-McMahill) 6K Course: Elizabeth Nisly \| 22:50.2 (ODAC Champs)

	2018 Poll Position: 8th Head Coach: David Cheromei 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 8th \| 222 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Alette McGuire \| 23:20.8 (21st) 2017 Regionals Finish: No team score 2017 Regionals Top Time: Alette McGuire \| 24:19.5 (102nd) 2016 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Alette McGuire \| 18;58.0 (Royals Twilight) 6K Course: Alette McGuire \| 23:20.8 (ODAC Champs)				2018 Poll Position: T-12th Head Coach: Mark White 2017 USAS Champs Finish: 13th \| 382 pts. 2017 USAS Champs Top Time: Cynthia Aldama \| 28:35.86 (64th) 2017 Regionals Finish: Did not compete 2017 Regionals Top Time: N/a 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-USAS RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Cynthia Aldama \| 23:23.7 (39th) 6K Course: Cynthia Aldama \| 28:35.86 (64th)

	2018 Poll Position: 9th Head Coach: Marla Lindsay 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 9th \| 283 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Sommer Fanney \| 25:32.5 (53rd) 2017 Regionals Finish: 31st \| 844 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Sommer Fanney \| 23:26.8 (67th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Samantha Brooks \| 24:30.0 (Chick-Fil-A Meet) 6K Course: Samantha Brooks \| 27:29.4 (ODAC Regionals)				2018 Poll Position: T-12th Head Coaches: Alex Kosicki 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 10th \| 296 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Jhovanna Ramirez-Salmeron \| 25:03.3 (41st) 2017 Regionals Finish: Did not compete 2017 Regionals Top Time: N/A 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Debra Henke \| 23:58.8 (Greensboro Inv.) 6K Course: Francesca Reilly \| 27:14.1 (ODAC Champs)

	2018 Poll Position: 2nd Head Coach: Jim Sprecher 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 2nd \| 74 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Morgan Watson \| 22:21.2 (4th) 2017 Regionals Finish: 4th \| 171 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Samantha Schreiber \| 22:07.4 (13th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: Morgan Watson (4th) Second Team: Michela Cholak (9th) Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Samantha Schreiber \| 19:16.0 (Covered Bridge) 6K Course: Samantha Schreiber \| 22:07.4 (Regional Champs)				2018 Poll Position: 10th Head Coach: Bill Cooper 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 12th \| 346 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Sophia Dill \| 28:19.1 (69th) 2017 Regionals Finish: Did not compete 2017 Regionals Top Time: N/A 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Liz Beairsto \| 25:19.0 (Queen City) 6K Course: Liz Beairsto \| 28:44.2 (ODAC Preview)

	2018 Poll Position: 6th Head Coach: Kirk Nauman 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 6th \| 139 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Alexis Mattson \| 23:03.7 (18th) 2017 Regionals Finish: 15th \| 439 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Alexis Mattson \| 23:37.8 (72nd) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Alexis Mattson \| 21:09.6 (Hyder-Mahill) 6K Course: Alexis Mattson \| 23:03.7 (ODAC Champs)				2018 Poll Position: 4th Head Coach: Andy Marrocco 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 5th \| 131 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Aislynn Smith \| 22:39.5 (12th) 2017 Regionals Finish: 20th \| 547 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Aislynn Smith \| 22:51.4 (36th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: Aislynn Smith (12th) Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Aislynn Smith \| 20:47.7 (Hornet Harrier) 6K Course: Aislynn Smith \| 22:39.5 (ODAC Champs)

	2018 Poll Position: 11th Head Coach: Jacob Smith 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 11th \| 325 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Victoria Lawson \| 27:18.9 (65th) 2017 Regionals Finish: Did not compete 2017 Regionals Top Time: N/A 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Did not compete at this distance 6K Course: Victoria Lawson \| 27:18.9 (ODAC Champs)				2018 Poll Position: 7th Head Coach: Krista Littleton 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 7th \| 159 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Marissa Coombs \| 22:01.3 (1st) 2017 Regionals Finish: 21st \| 560 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Marissa Coombs \| 21:53.4 (8th) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: Marissa Coombs \| 22:25.9 (130th) Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: None Second Team: None Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Trini Cole \| 23:17.6 (adidas Challenge) 6K Course: Trini Cole \| 25:26.7 (ODAC Champs)

	2018 Poll Position: 1st Head Coach: Mike Dager 2017 ODAC Champs Finish: 1st \| 34 pts. 2017 ODAC Champs Top Time: Kirsten McMichael \| 22:16.8 (3rd) 2017 Regionals Finish: 5th \| 181 pts. 2017 Regionals Top Time: Julia Moody \| 22:32.5 (21st) 2017 NCAA D-III Champs Competitors: None Returning All-ODAC RUNNERS First Team: Kirsten McMichael (3rd), Julia Moody (6th), Anna Nelson (7th) Second Team: Hannah Dieterle (8th), Katie Harris (10th), Katie Bearup (14th) Top Returners by Time 5K Course: Kate Flory \| 21:05.3 (Hornet Harrier) 6K Course: Kirsten McMichael \| 22:16.8 (ODAC Champs)