Sept. 5, 2006

Harrison, N.Y. - Defending East Coast Conference Men's and Women's Cross Country champion C.W. Post has been selected the as the favorite to reclaim both conference titles in 2006, according to the preseason poll of the league's coaches. Both the Adelphi University men's and women's teams have been selected to finish third.

The NYCAC coaches also selected pre-season individual awards. C.W. Post's Max Collado (Jamaica, N.Y.), was named Preseason NYCAC Men's Runner of the Year for the second straight season. Senior Natalie Johnson (Holbrook, N.Y.) was tabbed Preseason NYCAC Women's Runner of the Year.

"2006 should be another excellent year for cross country in our conference," said Ed Manetta, ECC Commissioner. "I'm pleased that all 11 member schools are sponsoring both men's and women's teams this season, and I look forward to our student-athletes running well throughout the year."

2006 EAST COAST CONFERENCE CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLLS

Men's Cross Country
1. C.W. Post
2. New Haven
3. Adelphi
4. Mercy
5. Queens
6. NYIT
7. Molloy
8. Bridgeport
9. Concordia
10. Bridgeport
11. St. Thomas Aquinas

Women's Cross Country
1. C.W. Post
2. New Haven
3. Adelphi
4. Queens
5. Dowling
6. Bridgeport
7. NYIT
8. Mercy
9. Molloy
10. Concordia
11. St. Thomas Aquinas

Preseason Male Runner of the Year: Max Collado, Junior, C.W. Post
Preseason Female Runner of the Year: Natalie Johnson, Senior, C.W. Post