Story courtesy of Christa Parulis-Kaye, NECC Assistant Commissioner of Media Relations

For Immediate Release:
September 4, 2009

ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Daniel Webster College and Mitchell College have been tabbed as the preseason favorites 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.

Six of the nine NECC members sponsor men's cross country.

The Daniel Webster Eagles and the Mitchell College Mariners tied for the first place spot with 36 points apiece. The Mariners received three of the six first-place votes, while the Eagles received two first-place votes in the 2009 NECC preseason poll.

The Mariners are led by head coach Todd Peretz. The Eagles are led by first year head coach Chris Dorsey.

Mitchell returns two First Team All NECC runners' senior Eric Appleby (Monroe, Conn.) and John Hoffman (Bala Cynwyd, Penn.), while Daniel Webster returns one First Team All NECC runner Chris LaPlante (Medfield, Mass.)

Lesley University placed third with 33 points and received one first-place vote. Elms College and Newbury College rounded out the top five places with Elms receiving 23 points and Newbury 20 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.

2009 NECC PRESEASON MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY POLL

TEAM, POINTS (1st Place votes)

Mitchell, 36 (3)
Daniel Webster, 36 (2)          
Lesley, 33
Elms, 23
Newbury, 20
Southern Vermont, 14