Aug. 20, 2008

MACON, Ga. - The Belmont men's and women's cross country teams have been selected as the favorites to win the Atlantic Sun Championships, it was announced on Wednesday.

The men's team will seek to win its seventh straight league championship after capturing the A-Sun title in 2007 in Nashville, Tenn. The Bruins will be lead by two-time defending A-Sun champion, senior Colin Magut (Kitale, Kenya), and reigning Freshman of the Year, sophomore Hillary Cheruiyot (Eldoret, Kenya). Magut will attempt to be only the third male runner in conference history to win three titles in a career.

The Bruins received seven out of 11 first-place votes in the men's poll with East Tennessee State, Kennesaw State and Campbell rounding out the top-four.

The Belmont women's team will attempt to win its seventh league title in eight years after placing first in the 2007 A-Sun Championships. The Bruins will be led by several returning runners including junior Brittany Thune (Sioux Falls, S.D.), who finished third in last year's conference championship.

The women's team received six out of 11 first-place votes, edging Kennesaw State.

Both teams begin their seasons at the Belmont Opener at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Tenn. on Sept. 5.

The complete preseason polls are listed below:

2008 Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll Rank School (First Place Votes) Total Votes

1. Belmont(7) 116

2. ETSU (4) 113

3. Kennesaw State 90

4. Campbell 85

5. Lipscomb 78

6. UNF 75

T7. FGCU 49

T7. Mercer 49

9. USC Upstate 36

10. Stetson 24

11. Jacksonville 11

2008 Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll Rank School (First Place Votes) Total Votes

1. Belmont (6) 116

2. Kennesaw St.(4) 110

3. UNF 94

4. Jacksonville (1) 91

5. Lipscomb 76

6. Campbell 72

T7. Mercer 41

T7. ETSU 41

9. FGCU 38

10. USC Upstate 30

11. Stetson 17