Still on Top; Orange Men Picked No. 1; Women 15th
8/30/2016 3:22:00 PM | Cross Country
After winning the NCAA Championship in 2015 and subsequently finishing the year atop the USTFCCCA rankings – a first in program history – the Syracuse men's cross country team maintained that position in the preseason coaches' poll, checking in at No. 1.
Syracuse received 11-of-12 first place votes and is 20 points ahead of No. 2 Oregon who received the other first place vote. The Orange women also checked in at a high mark, ranking 15th following their 12th place finish at nationals last season, which was the second-best finish in program history.
'Cuse is one-of-seven programs to have both its men's and women's teams ranked in the top-15 of the preseason poll.
Behind 'Cuse (359, 11 first place votes) and Oregon (339 and one first place vote), Northern Arizona (324), Stanford (323) and Colorado (308) round out the top-five. Virginia, which checks in at No. 15 is the next-highest ranked ACC team.
For the women, New Mexico occupies the No. 1 rank, followed by Colorado, Providence, Oregon and NC State. The Orange is the third-highest ranked ACC program, with Notre Dame checking in one spot ahead of 'Cuse at No. 14.
The Syracuse men return four student-athletes from its seven-man roster that raced at last season's NCAA Championship, including a trio of All-Americans. Justyn Knight (fourth overall), Colin Bennie (eighth overall) and Philo Germano (39th overall) each earned USTFCCCA All-America accolades last season. They're joined by Joel Hubbard (47th) in returning four of its five scorers from last year's NCAA Championship.
The women return three of its seven competitors from last year's NCAA Championship race, led by Sydney Leiher, who took 68th. Stephanie Bitcon and Mary Malone also return from last season's championship roster.
Syracuse received 11-of-12 first place votes and is 20 points ahead of No. 2 Oregon who received the other first place vote. The Orange women also checked in at a high mark, ranking 15th following their 12th place finish at nationals last season, which was the second-best finish in program history.
'Cuse is one-of-seven programs to have both its men's and women's teams ranked in the top-15 of the preseason poll.
Behind 'Cuse (359, 11 first place votes) and Oregon (339 and one first place vote), Northern Arizona (324), Stanford (323) and Colorado (308) round out the top-five. Virginia, which checks in at No. 15 is the next-highest ranked ACC team.
For the women, New Mexico occupies the No. 1 rank, followed by Colorado, Providence, Oregon and NC State. The Orange is the third-highest ranked ACC program, with Notre Dame checking in one spot ahead of 'Cuse at No. 14.
The Syracuse men return four student-athletes from its seven-man roster that raced at last season's NCAA Championship, including a trio of All-Americans. Justyn Knight (fourth overall), Colin Bennie (eighth overall) and Philo Germano (39th overall) each earned USTFCCCA All-America accolades last season. They're joined by Joel Hubbard (47th) in returning four of its five scorers from last year's NCAA Championship.
The women return three of its seven competitors from last year's NCAA Championship race, led by Sydney Leiher, who took 68th. Stephanie Bitcon and Mary Malone also return from last season's championship roster.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
Distance
/ Cross Country
Distance
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
Highlights | Women's ACC XC Championships
Friday, October 29
Highlights | ACC Men's XC Championship
Friday, October 29
'Cuse Connections - Olympics | Justyn Knight
Thursday, July 29
Highlights | ACC XC Championships
Friday, October 30
