August 19, 2003

FURMAN'S WOMEN THIRD, MEN FIFTH IN SOUTHERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON CROSS COUNTRY POLL

Greenville, S.C. -- The Southern Conference cross country head coaches have selected Appalachian State to win the women¹s 2003 title and Chattanooga to edge out Appalachian State for the men¹s crown. Furman's women were picked to finish third in the league while the men's team was picked to finish fifth.

Appalachian State¹s women beat out Chattanooga for the preseason honor, collecting eight first place votes and a total of 108 points. Chattanooga received two first place votes with 100 points. Furman picked up the final first- place vote with Davidson taking fourth. Western Carolina was selected to finish fifth, followed by East Tennessee State edging UNC Greensboro for sixth. ASU¹s women took the 2002 crown, claiming the two-three-four slots in the championship meet. Furman claimed fourth place.

On the men¹s side, Appalachian State and Chattanooga tied in the preseason poll, both with five first-place votes and 86 points. Western Carolina is slated to finish third, followed by East Tennessee State and Furman. The Mountaineers continued their dominance in 2002-03, starting with a win at the 2002 SoCon Cross Country Championship. ASU edged out Chattanooga by five points to take home its third-straight cross country title, en route to another triple crown.

Furman's cross country teams open the 2003 campaign at the Miliken Invitational in Spartanburg, S.C., on September 6.

The 2003 Southern Conference Cross Country Championships will be held on the campus of Davidson College on Saturday, November 1.