FURMAN MEN PICKED SIXTH, WOMEN FIFTH, IN SOCON PRESEASON POLL

SPARTANBURG, SC -- The Southern Conference cross country coaches have cast their ballots and selected Appalachian State and Chattanooga to repeat as the 2002 Men¹s and Women¹s Cross Country Champions. The coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

Appalachian State¹s men¹s team received eight first-place votes with Chattanooga, East Tennessee State and Western Carolina all separated by one vote. UNC Greensboro was picked fifth with Furman, Davidson, The Citadel, VMI, College of Charleston and Wofford rounding out the field. Appalachian State began its triple-crown year in 2001 with Cross Country championship before winning the men¹s indoor and outdoor titles in 2002.

Chattanooga edged Appalachian State for first in the women¹s poll, followed by Western Carolina third, UNC Greensboro fourth and Furman fifth. Davidson, East Tennessee State and College of Charleston took the next three spots with VMI, Georgia Southern, The Citadel and Wofford rounding out the women¹s poll. Chattanooga won the 2001 Championship with all five runners finishing in the Top 10 at the meet.

The 2002 Cross Country Championship will be held Saturday, November 2 at Dixie Plantation in Charleston, SC.

2002 Men¹s Cross Country Poll
1. Appalachian State (8) 89
2. Chattanooga 73
3. East Tennessee State 72 (2)
4. Western Carolina 71
5. UNC Greensboro 57
6. Furman 54
7. Davidson 45
8. The Citadel 33
9. VMI 27
10. College of Charleston 20
11. Wofford 10

2002 Women¹s Cross Country Poll
1. Chattanooga (7) 103
2. Appalachian State (2) 100
3. Western Carolina 91 (1)
4. UNC Greensboro 76
5. Furman 75
6. Davidson 66
7. East Tennessee State (1) 62
8. College of Charleston 43
9. VMI 35
10. Georgia Southern 33
11. The Citadel 32
12. Wofford 15