Cross Country Picked First in SSAC
After winning their first ever conference title in 2013, the Brenau cross country team was voted to repeat as champions in the 2014 Southern States Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Golden Tigers, who look to sustain their success, return a strong core of runners, including 2013 SSAC First Team selection Brittany Aikens and SSAC Newcomer of the year Utami Ketchem.
Brenau was a unanimous first place vote getter, claiming all eight first-place votes to lead the rankings with 80 points. Blue Mountain (Miss.) College was chosen second with 64 votes. Loyola (La.) University rounded out the top three with 57 points.
"We are humbled to be selected as the SSAC Preseason favorite," said head coach Susan McIntyre. "However, we want to continue to build off of last season's successes. We return a strong core of runners and add three talented freshmen, but we know that there is work to be done if we are going to meet and surpass preseason expectations".
The Golden Tigers open the season on September 5th at the Eye Opener Invitational in Spartanburg, S.C.
Women's Ranking (First-Place Votes) Points
1. Brenau (Ga.) (8) 80
2. Blue Mountain (Miss.) 64
3. Loyola (La.) 57
4. Dalton State (Ga.) 56
5. William Carey (Miss.) 55
6. Bethel (Tenn.) 42
7. Mobile (Ala.) 27
8. Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) 26
9. Belhaven (Miss.) 19
10. Brewton-Parker (Ga.) 14