Aug. 23, 2007

Staten Island, NY -- The Wagner College men's and women's cross country team was picked seventh in the NEC pre-season coach's poll released earlier this week.

The Green & White is led once again by head coach Joe Stasi who is starting his 11th season. "I believe we have the talent to surpass those predictions," said Stasi. "I would consider it a disappointing season if we finished seventh this year."

The men's squad will be anchored this year by lone senior Mouhamed Halwani (Staten Island, NY/Xaverian), who placed 48th in the NEC Championships last year. Hitting the path with Halwani will be junior Allen Koehler (Okeana, OH/William Henry Hudson) and sophomore James Johnston (Middle Island, NY/Longwood), two of the Seahawks top runners last year. Big things are expected from freshman Thomas Rammelkamp (Miller Place, NY/, who had a stellar senior year at Miller Place High and could help Wagner break away from the pack.

On the women's side a host of talent makes their way back to Grymes Hill including the return of all-NEC winner junior Brecken Drager (Loomis, Ca/Del Oro) who finished 13th at the 2006 NEC Championships last year in addition to winning NEC Cross Country Athlete of the Week accolades once during the year. Joining Drager is senior Meaghan Robbins (Waymart PA/Western Wayne), who ran in all but one race in 2006 and was the only Seahawk to run in the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships.

The Bobcats of Quinnipiac University were picked to win the men's title for the second year in a row, bringing in seven first place votes. The defending NEC Cross Country Champions are returning five all-NEC selections. Quinnipiac was also picked as the top women's team with an impressive 10 first place votes. The Bobcats return five of the top 14 finishers from last year's conference championship meet. This year's NEC Championships will be on October 27th at Stanley Quarter Park in New Britain, CT.

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