For Immediate Release:
September 4, 2008

Lesley Preseason Favorite in NECC Women's Cross Country Poll

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

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

The Lesley Lynx received six of the eight first-place votes in the 2008 NECC preseason poll. The Lynx are led by head coach Dan Flynn. Lesley returns three all-conference runners including 2007 NAC First Team member Charlotte Goff.

Elms College received one first-place point to notch the runner-up spot with 43 points. Mitchell College received 41 points to place third in the NECC. Newbury College and Southern Vermont rounded out the top five places with Newbury receiving 31 points and Southern Vermont 26 points.

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

2008 NECC PRESEASON WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY POLL
TEAM, POINTS(1st Place votes) *
1-Lesley, 55(6)
2-Elms, 43(1)
3-Mitchell, 41       
4-Newbury, 31
5-Southern Vermont, 26
6-Daniel Webster, 24
7-Bay Path, 17
8-Wheelock, 15

*One school did not vote in the process-- only seven first place spots were voted on.