Posted: Aug 28, 2015

Women's Cross Country Voted Second in NECC Preseason Poll

ATTLEBORO, Mass. - The Elms College women's cross country team was selected second in the 2015 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Women's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Poll, released by the conference Thursday. The Blazers received 67 total points, the most of any school in the conference. Lesley edged the Blazers in first-place votes, 5-1.

The Blazers women's cross country team placed second overall, for the second straight year, at the 2014 NECC Championship. Returning for the Blazers runners will be the reigning NECC Rookie of the Year sophomore Sarah Tatgenhorst (Winterport, Maine), along with seniors Emma Bernard (Springfield, Mass.) and Jacqueline Quetti (Pittsfield, Mass.); and sophomores Caitlyn Hoschtetler (South Hadley, Mass.), Madeline Jordan (Lopez Island, Wash.), and Sarah Kaczenski (Northfield, Mass.).

Lesley University tabbed to win their eighth straight New England Collegiate Conference Women's Cross Country Championship as voted on by the conference head coaches.

The Lynx look to capitalize on their two key returns Alex Dimauro and Emilia McGrath both of whom were named to the 2014 NECC First Team. Rounding out the top three is Regis College with 65 points and three first place selections. Regis has a returning member of both the NECC First and Second Team from last season.

In Fourth with some impressive returning members is Southern Vermont College with 51 points. The Mountaineers are led by the 2014 NECC Runner of the Year Shelby Whitman. Whitman will seek help from teammate Schyler McGuire who finished seventh at the 2014 Championship meet.

Mitchell and Newbury finished in fifth and sixth place respectively with a total of 41 and 32 points. Wheelock and Bay Path finished in a tie for seventh in the polls with 29 total points.

2015 NECC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Lesley - 65 (5)

2. Elms - 67 (1)

3. Regis - 65 (3)

4. Southern Vermont - 51

5. Mitchell - 41

6. Newbury - 32

T7. Wheelock -29

T7. Bay Bath - 29

9. Daniel Webster - 15

ELMS CROSS COUNTRY

Source: (NECC)