Aug. 20, 2009

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Great West Conference cross country coaches have selected Utah Valley as the favorite to capture both the men's and the women's 2009 GWC cross country titles, the conference office announced Thursday.

Utah Valley received six first-place votes on the men's side for a total of 62 points. Texas-Pan American, which won the 2008 men's title, garnered the other two first-place votes and tied Houston Baptist for second in the voting with 46 points apiece.

South Dakota finished fourth with 42 points followed by Seattle with 36 total points. The men's poll was rounded out by NJIT with 26 points in seventh, North Dakota with 20 total points and Chicago State with 10 points.

On the women's side, Utah Valley was chosen to repeat as GWC champion garnering 63 points on seven first-place votes. South Dakota picked up the other first-place vote and finished second in the poll with 49 points, followed by North Dakota with 47 points.

Texas-Pan American totaled 37 points in fourth place, and Seattle finished in fifth with 32 points, followed closely by HBU with 31 points. NJIT tallied 19 points and Chicago State 10 to complete the poll.

This is the second year for cross country competition in the Great West Conference and the 2009 champions will be crowned on October 31 when NJIT hosts the GWC championships in the Bronx, N.Y. at famed Van Cortlandt Park.

GWC 2009 Preseason Cross Country Polls

Men's

1. Utah Valley (6) 62 pts.

2. UTPA (2) 46 pts.

HBU 46 pts.

4. South Dakota 42 pts.

5. Seattle 36 pts.

6. NJIT 26 pts.

7. North Dakota 20 pts.

8. Chicago State 10 pts.

Women's

1. Utah Valley (7) 63 pts.

2. South Dakota (1) 49 pts.

3. North Dakota 47 pts.

4. UTPA 37 pts.

5. Seattle 32 pts.

6. HBU 31 pts.

7. NJIT 19 pts.

8. Chicago State 10 pts.