August 27, 2008
Contact: Mike Christie, Assistant Commissioner

Christopher Newport Picked as Women's Cross Country Favorite

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - Christopher Newport University, under the direction of 13th-year Head Coach Keith Maurer, was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to defend its USA South Athletic Conference women's cross country title in 2008. The Captains are the ten-time defending USA South champions and have won 12 of the 13 USA South Women's Cross Country Championships ever held.

Christopher Newport received nine of ten first place votes (81 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Shenandoah University finished second in the balloting with 68 points and the final first place vote while Mary Baldwin College placed third as the Fighting Squirrels collected 64 points. Rounding out the top-five were Meredith College and Methodist University with 55 and 46 points, respectfully.

The women's cross country season gets underway on Saturday, August 30 as Averett University, Christopher Newport, Peace College and Shenandoah all participate in various meets.

2008 USA South Coaches Poll
Rank	Institution (1st place Votes)	Pts.
1.	Christopher Newport (9)	81
2.	Shenandoah (1)	68
3.	Mary Baldwin	64
4.	Meredith	55
5.	Methodist	46
6.	Greensboro	45
7.	Ferrum	34
t-8.	N.C. Wesleyan	21
t-8.	Peace	21
10.	Averett	15