Track & Field/XC | 9/2/2016 6:35:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern Cross Country has been selected seventh in the Sun Belt's annual preseason coaches poll just one day before the 2016 season opens. Georgia Southern is coming off the program's first trip to the NCAA Regionals in 2015. The Eagles raise the curtain on the 2016 season on Saturday morning at the Carolina Challenge. The women's 5K race starts at 9 a.m. in northeastern Columbia, S.C.

"We are really looking forward to this year's team," said Head Coach Kelly Carter. "After our successful campaign last year , which brought along a regional appearance, along with the academic All-American team nod, the cross country program is ready to put their best foot forward for Georgia Southern University this year."

PRESEASON POLL
1. South Alabama (5) – 135 pts.
2. Coastal Carolina (4) – 132 pts.
3. Appalachian State (3) – 129 pts.
4. UT Arlington – 104 pts.
5. Georgia State – 93 pts.
6. Arkansas State – 70 pts.
7. Georgia Southern – 65 pts.
8. Little Rock – 57 pts.
9. Texas State – 50 pts.
t10. UL Lafayette – 44 pts.
t10. Troy – 44 pts.
12. UL Monroe – 13 pts.

FIVE RETURNERS FEATURE IN LINEUP
Coach Carter's 2016 squad of harriers heading to the opening meet of the season features five returners from last year's squad. Seniors Ashton Lord and Bianca Loza are back for their senior campaigns along with junior Rebecca Parker and sophomores Erin Mullican and Jillian Sloane. Parker led a flock of Eagles across the line at last year's Sun Belt Championships, placing 23rd ahead of Loza (27th) and Lord (32nd) who were covered by 32 seconds. In all, the top five Eagles at last year's Sun Belt Championships finished in a 57 second span.

SEASON BEGINS ON SATURDAY
For the second-straight season, Georgia Southern opens the season at the Carolina Classic in Columbia, S.C. The Eagles finished third in the meet, hosted by the University of South Carolina, led home by Erin Mullican. This year's race, however, moves to a new venue at the Sandhill Research and Education Center Course in the northeast quadrant of Columbia. The 5K course winds through the center's grounds and around the banks of the lake.

NEXT UP
The Eagles return to the racing trails on Friday, September 23rd at the Mercer Invitational. The Eagles finished third in last year's trip to Macon.
 
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