Sept. 1, 2015
As the preseason cross country polls continue to be released, the Vanderbilt women aren’t having to scan down very far to see their name.
The Commodores enter this season ranked No. 22 in the nation and No. 1 in the South Region in the USTFCCCA polls released this week. Also, the Commodores — who won their first-ever South Region title last fall and advanced to the NCAA Championships for the fourth straight year — were projected for a second-place SEC finish in the conference’s coaches poll, and received one first-place vote.
Vanderbilt begins the season on Sept. 5 at the Belmont Opener.
“It’s always our goal to run for championships and it will be no different this year,” said head coach Steve Keith. “The preseason recognition is nice, but it’s all about where you finish.”
Vanderbilt’s appearance in the USTFCCCA preseason poll is further evidence of the impact the Commodores are making on a national level. This is the third consecutive season that the team has earned a spot in the preseason poll: The Commodores were ranked 23rd last season, 20th in the 2013 and sixth in 2012.
Vanderbilt’s recent run of success has also been reflected in the preseason SEC coaches poll. The Commodores have been tabbed to finish third place or higher in each of the past four seasons, including being picked second both this season and last season. They were tabbed for third in 2013 and first in 2012.
Still, even with the preseason buzz, the Commodores — who are ranked No. 24 in the Saucony preseason Flo50 — aren’t expecting anything to come easily.
“This year is going to be extremely challenging,” said associate head coach Rhonda Riley. “We are pleased to be ranked, and it’s nice to see the women are picked second in the SEC. But the conference will be deep and it will be a challenge. The women are working hard daily in preparation for a great conference meet.”
Vanderbilt enters the season with a deep and experienced roster that includes seniors Sara Barron, Katherine Delaney and Vanessa Valentine, along with juniors Carmen Carlos, Reagan Anderson and Lily Williams. The roster also features plenty of young talent, with sophomores Maddie Criscione and Courtney Kriegshauser and four freshmen — Caroline Pietrzyk, Devon Grisbaum, Rebecca Jacobson and Sara Tsai — all expected to contribute.
Keith believes his team has all the pieces for another memorable campaign, but knows the challenges will be many.
“We will have our work cut out for us,” he said. “The SEC is always strong year in, year out and this season there are a number of nationally recognized squads. But this team will be up for that test.”
The Vanderbilt men, who have been tabbed by the coaches for a 12th-place finish, have several key returnees, including senior Nick French and junior Jake Van Geffen.
Ole Miss men, Arkansas women projected as SEC champs
From the SEC Office
The University of Mississippi men and the Arkansas women have been predicted to claim the 2015 Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championships, as decided by a vote of the league’s head coaches. The SEC on Monday released its 2015 SEC Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll.
Points for the men’s poll were awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 basis, while the women’s poll was awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13 basis. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
The Ole Miss men, for the first time in the program’s history, were predicted to win the 2015 SEC Cross Country Championship. The Rebels placed second at the 2014 SEC Championship, tying the 1968 Ole Miss team for the best finish in school history. The Rebels earned seven first-place votes, while Arkansas, which has won 22 of the last 24 SEC Cross Country Championships and five consecutive, garnered six first-place votes.
The Arkansas women, who have won two consecutive SEC Cross Country Championships, were selected to win the 2015 SEC Cross Country Championship. The Razorbacks, who received 12 first-place votes, finished fifth at the 2014 NCAA Championship. Florida and Vanderbilt each earned one first-place vote.
The 2015 SEC Cross Country Championships are slated to take place Friday, October 30 at College Station, Texas.