Skyhawk women picked first in USTFCCCA East Regional, men tabbed third
USTFCCCA Regional Preseason Poll Release
Women's National Preseason Poll Release
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Sophomore Elizabeth Hannah returns after finishing fifth in the 6k at the NCAA East Regional with a time of 21:55.62. |
Men's National Preseason Poll Release
EASTON, Mass. (August 31, 2016) – The Stonehill women's cross country team, defending NCAA Division II East Regional Champions, has been selected first overall in the East Region and 13th in the Nation by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), as announced by the office this week.
The men's squad has been chosen to finish third overall in the East Region after placing third in last years' regional championship, while also receiving votes in the national poll.
In the women's East Regional poll, the Skyhawks rank first ahead of Assumption College, Bentley University, Merrimack College, Southern Connecticut State University, and Le Moyne College. Nationally, Stonehill sits 13th as the only Northeast-10 representative.
The women's squad has tallied a first-place mark in six out of the past seven years at the Regional with the most recent being last year. Last season, the team captured four titles in the eight meets that were scheduled, including the Kutztown Division II/III Challenge, the Ted Owen Invitational, the Northeast-10 Conference Championship, and the Division II East Regional. The Regional crown was the 13th in team history and 16th-straight trip to the NCAA Division II Championships.
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Senior Antonio Xehlhua returns from last season after playing 18th at the NCAA East Regional in the 10k with a time of 32:14.30. |
In the men's East Regional poll, American International College ranks first overall, while Bentley University tallied the runner-up spot and the Skyhawks were tabbed third. Franklin Pierce University, Southern New Hampshire University, Adelphi University, and Merrimack College round out the rest of the top-10 from the Northeast-10 Conference. Across the National poll, Stonehill received one vote, while American International placed 11th as the only Northeast-10 representative tallying a rank.
The Skyhawks tallied their third NCAA Division II East Regional title in 2013 and in the past seven years, the men have placed in the top-three every year among the region. Last season, the men finished in the top-three in four of the eight scheduled meets. The men's team also earned its 13th-straight trip to the NCAA Division II Championships in 2015.
Stonehill will open the 2016 season with the Skyhawk Preview Meet on Saturday, September 3 kicking off with the men at 10 a.m. and the women will begin at 11 a.m.
