Lynchburg, Bridgewater Round Out Top Three, Also Earn Top Markings
SALEM, Va. --- Washington and Lee University
earned seven first place votes in the 2008 ODAC Men's Cross Country
Preseason Poll, topping the annual survey with 95 total poll
points. Lynchburg College came away with two top billings and
83 total points while 2007 runner-up Bridgewater College trailed
its Hornet counterparts with 82 points and the remaining top
tally.
The Generals placed five runners on the All-ODAC cross country
teams in 2007 in legging out a five-point victory of
Bridgewater. The title was the ninth overall and fourth
consecutive for the Washington and Lee program. Reigning ODAC
Coach of the Year, John Tucker, returns three of the five
all-conference performers for their senior campaigns. Michael
Welsh heads the group after finishing second overall in last year's
ODAC championship. He's joined by fellow first team finisher
Vance Berry (6th place) and Alex Jackson, who crossed
the line in 13th to earn a spot on the second team.
Lynchburg has won a conference-best 12 ODAC men's cross country
crowns and looks to return to the top of the podium for the first
time since 2002. While last year's third place finisher will
have to do without one of its two all-league runners, junior Ricky
Flynn returns in search of his second straight individual title and
ODAC Runner of the Year award. The Gaithersburg, Maryland,
native out-paced his closest competition by better than 33 seconds
in Lexington last fall.
The Eagles have finished second to Washington and Lee each of the
past two seasons. Bridgewater hopes the course at Virginia
Beach on November 1st will provide its harriers with
their first crown. Three of the Eagles' four All-ODAC runners
should return to aid in that process with seniors Nathan
Rittenhouse and Brandon Spalding leading the charge. The duo
finished fourth and fifth in the 2007 championship,
respectively.
The 2008 ODAC Men's Cross Country Championship is set for Saturday,
November 1. The event will be hosted by Virginia Wesleyan
College.
Listed below is the 2008 ODAC Men's Cross Country Preseason
Poll. For more information on ODAC cross country, visit www.odaconline.com or any of
the school websites.
2008 ODAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
(#) Denotes first place votes
1. Washington & Lee |
95 (7) |
2. Lynchburg |
83 (2) |
3. Bridgewater |
82 (1) |
4. Roanoke |
71 |
5. Virginia Wesleyan |
61 |
6. Guilford |
44 |
7. Hampden-Sydney |
42 |
8. Emory & Henry |
32 |
9. Eastern Mennonite |
27 |
10. Randolph |
13 |