Aug. 18, 2006

Staten Island, NY -- The Northeast Conference released their pre-season cross country polls earlier today. The Wagner College women's squad was predicted to finish in a tie for fifth, while the league's coaches tabbed the Wagner men's squad to land in sixth place.

The Green & White once again led by head coach Joe Stasi who is hoping to have his squads improved on identical sixth place finishes at last year's NEC Championships. The men's squad is anchored by junior Mouhamed Halwani (Staten Island, NY/Xaverian) who earned All-Conference honors a year ago. Senior Kyle Sultzer (Archbald, PA/Valley View) will also be counted on as a key contributor in 2006 following a sucessful junior campagin.

On the women's side a host of talent makes their way back to Grymes Hill including senior Maris Reutzel (Meadville, PA/Meadville) and junior Meaghan Robbins (Waymart, PA/Western Wayne) who were the top two finishers for Wagner at last year's NEC Championships. Sophomore Brecken Drager (Loomis, CA/Del Oro) who picked up NEC rookie of the week honors early last season joins classmate Ryan Rogers (Islip, NY/Islip) in an impressive group of rising stars for the Seahawks.

The Bobcats of Quinnipiac University were picked to win the men's title and bring an end to the reign of dominance by St. Francis (PA). The Red Flash have won seven of the last eight titles. It was more Quinnipiac on the women's side as they were picked to repeat as champs this season after sharing the crown with Sacred Heart a year ago. This year's NEC Championship is set for October 27, 2006 at Van Cortlandt Park.

Wagner opens their season on Saturday September 2 at the Monmouth Quad held at Thompson Park in Lincroft, New Jersey.