CNU Selected as Women's Cross Country Favorite

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - Christopher Newport University, under the direction of second-year Head Coach Matthew Barreau, was picked in the USA South Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll to defend its women's cross country title in 2012. Last season, the Captains captured the championship for the 15th time in the 18-year history of the event.

The 2012 season marks the first in the USA South for new Conference members LaGrange College, Maryville College and Piedmont College. Each institution is a former member of the Great South Athletic Conference.

CNU received nine of ten first place votes, to go along with 81 points, as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Meredith College finished second in the balloting with 61 points while Mary Baldwin College placed third with 59 points and the final first place vote. Rounding out the top half were Methodist University and Maryville who collected 55 and 49 points, respectfully.

The women's cross country season gets underway on Friday, August 31st as Christopher Newport, Mary Baldwin and Piedmont are in action.