Cross Country | 8/25/2010 2:49:42 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The USA South Athletic Conference announced the 2010 cross country preseason polls on Wednesday with the Methodist men picked third and the women selected fifth.

Christopher Newport University was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to defend its USA South Athletic Conference men's cross country title in 2010. The Captains are the 17-time defending USA South champions and have won 24 of the 25 USA South Men's Cross Country Championships held since 1980. Christopher Newport received six of seven first place votes (36 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Shenandoah University finished second in the balloting with 31 points and the final first place vote while Methodist University rounded out the top-three with 22 points. In fourth place, Greensboro College earned 21 points while Ferrum College, Averett University and first-year program N.C. Wesleyan, concluded the poll with 16, 14 and seven points, respectfully. [Men's Poll]

Christopher Newport University was also picked in the preseason coaches' poll to defend its USA South Athletic Conference women's cross country title in 2010. The Captains are the 12-time defending USA South champions and have won 14 of the 15 USA South Women's Cross Country Championships ever held. Christopher Newport received eight of ten first place votes (80 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Shenandoah University finished second in the balloting with 74 points and the final two first place votes while Mary Baldwin College placed third with 62 points. Rounding out the top-five were Meredith College and Methodist University who collected 59 and 47 points, respectfully. [Women's Poll]

Methodist kicks off the 2010 season at UNC-Wilmington Friday, Sept. 10.