Men's Cross Country Tabbed Second in Preseason NEC Coaches Poll
The Central Connecticut men's cross country team collected two first-place votes and was picked second in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll announced Friday. The Blue Devils were one of three programs to collect first-place votes, along with the defending champion Wagner and Mount St. Mary's.
The Blue Devils placed second at the 2019 Northeast Conference championships and had five runners earn All-Conference honors. Sophomore Elias Field earned all-conference recognition and was named NEC Rookie of the Year after placing seventh at the conference championships. Central will look to secure its 10th title after setting an NEC all-time record for consecutive championships in any sport with nine straight crowns from 2009-17.
Wagner received six first-place votes and was tabbed the favorite, while Mount St. Mary's was picked third and collected one first-place vote. Merrimack, Bryant, Sacred Heart, LIU and St. Francis Brooklyn rounded out the preseason poll.
After having the season moved from the fall to the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northeast Conference Championships will be held at Bryant in Smithfield, RI, on Sunday, Feb. 28.