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 Men Second, Women Seventh In America East Cross Country Poll
Aug. 24, 2006 ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine men's cross country team was selected to finished second and the women's cross country team was selected to finish seventh in the 2006 America East preseason poll. The poll was conducted among conference head coaches and coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team. Maine will host the 2006 America East Championship on October 28. "For the men we have the returning individual champion in Kirby Davis, plus two other runners from the 2004 championship team," said head coach Mark Lech. "With those returning runners, plus some strong runners backing them up we should have a shot this year. The women will be rebuilding this season, as we lost some key runners and will be transitioning to more pure distance runners. In addition, having the conference championship here at Maine will provide us with a home course advantage." The New Hampshire men's team led the conference with 63 points, including seven first place votes. Maine was second with 53 points and a first place vote, while UMBC had 48 points and a first place vote. Boston University (41), Albany (36), Stony Brook (34), Vermont (22), Binghamton (19) and Hartford (8) rounded out the nine-team poll. The Maine men will be led this season by Kirby Davis (Falmouth, Maine), who won the 2005 America East individual championship. Overall, Maine is returning five of seven runners who scored points for the Black Bears last season when they finished third in the conference. On the women's side, Boston University received 64 points and eight first place votes. New Hampshire was second with 55 points and Stony Brook had 44 points and one first place vote. Albany (40), Binghamton (39), Vermont (36), Maine (22), UMBC (16) and Hartford (8) rounded out the poll. Maine's women will be led by Hana Pelletier (Belgrade, Maine), who was 22nd overall last season. The top finisher from last year, Heather Jovanelli (Brewer, Maine) has graduated, but five of the seven runners who placed for Maine in 2005 are returning to the squad. The Black Bears will report on August 28, with the first meet of the season scheduled for Friday, September 15 against New Hampshire. For more information on Maine Athletics, please visit www.GoBlackBears.com.
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