UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The Atlantic 10 released its men's and women's cross country preseason rankings this week, and both Spider squads have been ranked well into the conference's upper-half in a vote conducted by the league's 16 head coaches. The Richmond women were ranked third and the men sixth in the preseason polls.
The Spider women return every member from last year's team that turned in a fourth-place finish at the A-10 Championship, including junior standout Jill Prentice (Skillman, N.J./Montgomery) who became Richmond's first-ever top female conference finisher when she won the individual title a year ago. Joining Prentice on the starting line will be fellow a pair of fellow top-20 conference finishers in senior Stephanie Paradis (Leesburg, Va./Stone Bridge - 13th) and sophomore Clare Moretz (Madison, Va./Madison - 20th) and a highly touted Florida transfer in sophomore Tenley Godfrey (Pawcatuck, Conn.).
La Salle is projected to capture the league crown for the second-consecutive year, while 2011 runner-up Dayton, Richmond, Charlotte and conference newcomer Butler round out the top five.
On the men's side, the Spiders return every member of this past season's squad that finished seventh at the conference meet. Seniors Chris York (White Post, Va./Clarke County) and Jason Skipper (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon) will lead a strong crop of underclassmen that includes Syracuse transfer Connor Stauffer (Redding, Conn.) in addition to 2011 top-25 conference finisher Andrew Valenski (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa), Matthew Groff (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) and Billy Fayette (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Hinsdale).
Like the Explorer women, the La Salle men are predicted to claim their second-straight conference title this fall, with 2011 Horizon League Champion Butler, Saint Joseph's, Duquesne and Dayton rounding out the top-five rankings just ahead of the Spiders.
The 2012 Cross Country Championships will be held at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia on Saturday, Oct. 27. Both Spider squads will open the season on Saturday, Sept. 1 when they host the Spider Alumni Open at Pole Green Park just outside the city in Mechanicsville, Va. For a closer look into the programs' preseason training, please visit the Spiders Preseason Training Central page.
Women's Head Coach
Lori Taylor on Preseason Rankings
"We've got a good team and know what we are capable
of. It's important that our athletes stay healthy and follow through with
the little things to ensure our program achieves the success we are capable
of. Our returning team members look good and our incoming class has shown
they are talented. Both our staff and our student-athletes are most
interested in what happens at the Atlantic 10 meet on October 27. While the
preseason polls tend to be a barometer, this sport is purely based on who is
ready on the day of the A-10 Championship. We have plenty of work to do before
then."
Men's Head Coach
Steve Taylor on Preseason Rankings
"As a coach, I've never been too caught up in preseason
rankings. We know there are several returning teams who have not graduated men
from last year's roster and they have the potential to be strong teams. Our men
are working hard and looking to add to the tradition of being the tough
competitors that we are known for. Our athletes are focused and committed. Right
now we are continuing with the foundation needed to be at our best by the end
of the season. Our upperclassmen have had a good summer of training and our
freshmen class is talented, so our staff is looking forward to a great fall."
Stay updated on all the latest Richmond Cross Country news on RichmondSpiders.com and by accessing Spider Athletics' mobile apps on your Smartphone or tablet. More in-depth coverage can be found by following Head Coach Steve Taylor on Twitter and by reading his blog. The Spiders also have their own Facebook page and have launched their own YouTube Channel as well.
2012
A-10 Men's Predicted Order of Finish (2011 Championship Finish)
1. La Salle (1st)
2. Butler (Horizon League 1st/10)
3. St. Joe's (3rd)
4. Duquesne (2nd)
5. Dayton (4th)
6. Richmond (7th)
7. Massachusetts (5th)
8. Fordham (6th)
9. Xavier (8th)
10. Charlotte (9th)
11. Temple (10th)
12. Saint Louis (11th)
13. VCU (CAA 5th/7)
14. Rhode Island (12th)
15. George Washington (13th)
16. St. Bonaventure (14th)
2012
A-10 Women's Predicted Order of Finish (2011 Championship Finish)
1. La Salle (1st)
2. Dayton (2nd)
3. Richmond (4th)
4. Charlotte (3rd)
5. Butler (Horizon League 1st/10)
6. St. Joe's (5th)
7. Duquesne (6th)
8. Xavier (7th)
9. Saint Louis (8th)
10. Fordham (11th)
11. Massachusetts (10th)
12. Rhode Island (9th)
13. VCU (CAA 5th/7)
14. Temple (12th)
15. George Washington (13th)
16. St. Bonaventure (14th)
