For Immediate Release:
September 4, 2008

Daniel Webster Tabbed Preseason Favorite in NECC Men's Cross Country Poll

ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Daniel Webster College has been tabbed as the preseason favorite to capture the New England Collegiate Conference men's cross country championship, it was announced today by Commissioner Del Malloy. Voting for the preseason poll was conducted among the NECC's head men's cross country coaches.

This is the inaugural year for the New England Collegiate Conference. Seven of the nine NECC members sponsor men's cross country.

The Daniel Webster Eagles received all seven of the eight first-place votes in the 2008 NECC preseason poll. The Eagles are led by first year head coach Mike Rocco. Daniel Webster returns two GNAC all-conference runners and four NCAA qualifiers including Kevin Horton, Chris LaPlante, Josh Drazen and Achille Kongo.

Mitchell College notched the second place spot with 41 points.  Lesley University received 30 points to place third in the NECC. Elms College and Newbury College rounded out the top five places with Elms receiving 28 points and Newbury 25 points.

Teams received seven points for every first place vote received, six points for second place votes, five points for third place votes, down to one point for a last place vote. First place votes are shown in parentheses.

2008 NECC PRESEASON MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY POLL
TEAM, POINTS(1st Place votes)
1-Daniel Webster, 49(7)*
2-Mitchell, 41
3-Lesley, 30
4-Elms, 28
5-Newbury, 25
6-Southern Vermont, 14
7-Wheelock, 9


*Received all seven first place votes