Women's Cross Country Picked to Win 8th Straight Title

Posted: Aug 27, 2015

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Lesley University was tabbed to win their eighth straight New England Collegiate Conference Women's Cross Country Championship as voted on by the conference head coaches in the annual Preseason Poll. The poll was announced today by NECC Assistant Commisioner for Media Relations, Rebecca Mullin.

The Lynx will look to capitalize on their two key returns Alex Dimauro (Woburn, Mass.) and Emilia McGrath (Bowdoin, Maine) both of whom were named to the 2014 NECC First Team. Finishing second in the polls was Elms College who will look to the reigning 2014 Rookie of the Year Sarah Tatgenhorst to propel them to victory. The Blazers collected a total of 67 points including one first place vote. Rounding out the top three is Regis College with 65 points and three first place selections. Regis has a returning member of both the NECC First and Second Team from last season.

In fourth with some impressive returning members is Southern Vermont College with 51 points. The Mountaineers are led by the 2014 NECC Runner of the Year Shelby Whitman. Whitman will seek help from teammate Schyler McGuire who finished seventh at the 2014 Championship meet.

Mitchell and Newbury finished in fifth and sixth place respectively with a total of 41 and 32 points. Wheelock and Bay Path finished in a tie for seventh in the polls with 29 total points.

The Lynx will open up their 2015 campaign when they head to Bristol, Rhode Island for the Roger Williams Invite.

2015 NECC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Lesley - 65 (5)

2. Elms - 67 (1)

3. Regis - 65 (3)

4. Southern Vermont - 51

5. Mitchell - 41

6. Newbury - 32

T7. Wheelock -29

T7. Bay Bath - 29

9. Daniel Webster - 15

Release courtesy NECC Media Relations