CNU Picked as Men's Cross Country Favorite

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - Christopher Newport University, under the direction of second-year Head Coach Matthew Barreau, was picked in the USA South Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll to defend its men's cross country title in 2012. The Captains are the 19-time defending USA South champions and have won 26 of the 27 USA South Men's Cross Country Championships held since 1980.

The 2012 season marks the first in the USA South for new Conference members LaGrange College, Maryville College and Piedmont College. Each institution is a former member of the Great South Athletic Conference.

Christopher Newport received six of seven first place votes to go along with 36 points as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Methodist University finished second in the balloting with 26 points and the final first place vote while Maryville rounded out the top-three with 24 points. In fourth place, Piedmont earned 23 points while Ferrum College, LaGrange and Averett University concluded the poll with 16, 12 and ten points, respectfully.

The men's cross country season gets underway on Friday, August 31 as Christopher Newport and Piedmont are in action.