Aug. 27, 2003

FAIRFIELD, CT (August 27, 2003) - The Northeast Conference announced the men and women's cross country preseason coaches polls Monday afternoon. The Sacred Heart women's team was tabbed to finish second behind the two-time defending champion Red Flash of St. Francis (PA). The men's team was picked to finish seventh.

Sacred Heart will be in the hunt for their first-ever conference title received two first place votes by the leagues coaches. The Pioneers finished second overall last year and return individual second place finisher Katie Wrinkle (Medford, NY), now entering her senior season. Wrinkle who surrendered top honors by only three seconds (18:02), has been named all-NEC three years in a row. Sacred Heart will also rely on senior Christina Mendoza (Union City, NJ), who was honored as NEC Athlete of the Week once last season.

For the men, senior team captains, Matthew Uzenski (Oceanside, NY) and Andrew Renna (Danbury, CT) return to lead the Pioneers in 2003. Both are coming off solid seasons, which saw Uzenski become the program's first-ever All-ECAC runner. Sophomore Tyler Arnett (Clinton Corners, NY) returns after a solid freshman campaign where he earned NEC Cross Country Rookie of the Week honors for his performance at last year's Fairfield Invitational.

The Pioneers kick-off the 2003 season on Saturday, September 6th at the Stony Brook University Seawolve Invitational in Kings Park, NY.

2003 Northeast Conference
Men's Cross Country
Preseason Coaches Poll
1. St. Francis (PA) (10)
2. Quinnipiac (1)
   Monmouth
4. Mount St. Mary's
5. Fairleigh Dickinson
6. Central Connecticut State
7. Sacred Heart
8. Wagner
9. Robert Morris
10. St. Francis (NY)
11. Long Island
(First place votes in parentheses)


2003 Northeast Conference
Women's Cross Country
Preseason Coaches Poll
1. St. Francis (PA) (8)
2. Sacred Heart (2)
3. Quinnipiac
4. Monmouth (1)
5. Wagner
6. Mount St. Mary's
7. Central Connecticut State
8. Fairleigh Dickinson
   Robert Morris
10. Long Island
11. St. Francis (NY)
(First place votes in parentheses)

For full Northest Conference Press Release click here