HobbsDailyReport.com
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Lenoir-Rhyne University’s men are predicted to finish in the same spot they did a year ago – sixth place – in South Atlantic Conference (SAC) cross country.
The league released a preseason vote by the head coaches on Wednesday with the Bears tabbed to finish tied with Catawba behind Mars Hill, Queens, Anderson (S.C.), Lincoln Memorial and Wingate.
Mars Hill, the SAC champion in 19 of the previous 20 years, gained eight first-place votes and 98 points and Queens, with 93 points, was next after getting three first-place votes.
LRU opens its season Friday at the Covered Bridge Invitational at Appalachian State.
Senior Jacob Black of Manassas, Va., returns to lead the Bears after earning first-team All-SAC and NCAA Division II all-region last year. He won twice last season, at the Chick-fil-A Invitational in Salisbury and at the LRU Invitational in Newton.
SAC MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
1. Mars Hill (8) 98
2. Queens (3) 93
3. Anderson, S.C. 80
4. Lincoln Memorial 70
5. Wingate 68
6t. Catawba 51
6t. LENOIR-RHYNE 51
8. Carson-Newman 35
9. Coker 24
10. Tusculum 23
11. Newberry, S.C. 12