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Knights' men's cross country tabbed CVAC preseason favorites Courtesy of CVAC office August 25, 2006 THOMASVILLE, N.C.—The St. Andrews Presbyterian College men’s cross country team was picked first in the 2006 Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference (CVAC) Preseason Coaches Poll as voted upon by the head coaches. Senior Tim Bourke (Alden, N.Y.) and sophomore’s Mitch Cooper (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Perry Morris (Cedar Park, Texas) were named to the CVAC “Runners to Watch” list. St. Andrews was the highest ranked team in this year’s cross country preseason poll. Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference head coaches voted the Knights the number one team in an annual preseason poll to rank predicted order of finish within the league. Sixth year head coach and reigning CVAC men’s cross country Coach of the Year Gary Aycock fields an 11-runner roster that has high expectations for 2006. Aycock plans to guide a talented group of endurance athletes that are coming off their most successful season to date. In 2005, the Knights were victorious in four of seven races including claiming their first CVAC Championship title. They capped the stellar season with a second place finish in the NCAA DII Southeast Regional and an automatic bid to their first ever NCAA National Championship. Aycock looks to build on last year’s success with a young roster that features five letter winners and six freshmen. St. Andrews’ returning vets include All-CVAC honorable mention member Adam Vick and All-CVAC second team selections Tim Bourke and Perry Morris. Also Mitch Cooper who was the CVAC Freshman of the Year and All-CVAC first team member will be returning. All in all, the Knights depth between proven veterans and a young, undeveloped recruiting class has the potential to surpass last year’s success. “Our goals are to defend our CVAC Championship title and run well in the NCAA Southeast Regional meet and qualify for the NCAA nationals for a second straight year,” said Aycock. The Lees-McRae men’s cross country team took the second spot in the coaches poll as they look to improve on last seasons second place finish in the CVAC Championship. The Bobcats are looking young again with six new faces; however there are five returnees to help with their depth. Coach Craig McPhail thinks this could be a quality group of harriers. “We have a lot of potential, especially when you look at the talent of the newcomers; Cody Beaman, Chris Holstein, and Jon Bernal, are three of the best freshmen I have ever brought in.” Junior Josh Blanc and sophomore Matt Barrett will help the newcomers get through the ups and downs of the season and guide them through the 8k and 10k distance runs. With good reason there is a lot of optimism in Banner Elk, NC over this year’s group of Bobcats. The Anderson men’s team won two meets last season and finished fourth in the CVAC Conference Championship. “I think the men’s team will have a good year,” New head coach Randy Greer said. “We’ve brought in some good recruits. If they mesh well, I think we can finish in the top three in the conference.” Greer expects sophomores Nate Parsons, an All-CVAC second teamer, and Jeremy Hunsaker to lead the way for the Trojans. “Nate and Jeremy both had excellent track seasons and set some school records,” Greer said. “They’re going to run 1-2 and if either one of those guys have a bad race, then freshman Alex Jordan will probably be there to take their spot. We’re going to have a strong five if everybody comes back in shape and runs the way they can run.” CVAC Men’s Cross Country Pre-Season Poll 2006 CVAC Men’s “Preseason Runners to Watch” List Name (School &Year): Highlights |
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