Greenville Favorites In Men's Cross Country

Greenville University is the coaches favorites for men's cross country in the 2018 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Panthers picked up six of the nine first-place votes and totaled 60 points and are the two-time defending SLIAC champions. Greenville, coached by Brian Patton, raced to the program's 16th conference title last year after placing four runners in the top ten of the conference championship. However, the Panthers lose two of those top finishers (Nathan Potts and Jaylen Shelton). Senior John Mangold returns as the team's top finisher, placing 4th at last year's meet. Also back are 8th place finisher Dylan Goodyear and SLIAC Newcomer of the Year Collin Kessinger. Among newcomers that will add to the Panthers depth are freshmen Lukas Baird, Kaleb Carlson, Garrett Johnson, and Ayden Nichols. 

Webster University was picked 2nd in the poll, receiving 55 points and one first-place vote. The Gorloks placed 3rd at last year's conference championship. Head coach Dan Graber must replace six seniors from that squad including three-time All-Conference performer Riley Flynn. Leading the way for the Gorloks this fall will be junior Abram Donovan, who finished 13th last year. Also back is two-time top 20 performer Jordan Benton while the Gorloks will receive a boost from the return of Nathan Freyling, who missed most of last year with an injury. Top freshmen Eli Guzman, Javier Cervantes, and Colton Vaughn will help offset the loss of last year's senior class.

After finishing 2nd in last year's conference meet, Principia College was picked 3rd in the preseason poll with 51 points and two first-place votes. The Panthers will have a tough task in needing to replace the trio of Zach Matthiesen, Nate Richards, and Shane Witters Hicks who all qualified for nationals last year while taking the top three positions at the SLIAC Championship. In fact, head coach Sedge Southworth returns just two of his top seven runners from last season; Abe Ott and Drew Shotwell. Newcomers Chris Hronek and Spencer Christensen join the team this fall. 

Spalding University was chosen 4th in the poll, with 42 total points. The Golden Eagles, coached by Bradley Sowder, finished 4th last season but will be without top finisher Parker Bettag as well as Forrest Coffey. The Golden Eagles will look to Shaun Montgomery, Dane Thomas, and Eli Thomas to carry the team this season.

Westminster College received 33 points, finishing 5th in the poll. The Blue Jays will be led by first-year head coach Andrew Green. The young Blue Jays, who consisted of 11 runners last year that were either freshmen or sophomores, will be led by sophomore Joe Labitska. Labitska, who has quickly taken on a leadership role with the program, was the team's top finisher at the championships last season. He is joined by newcomers Dalton and Sam Moore. 

Coming in 6th in the poll is Fontbonne University with 30 points. The Griffins are welcoming in new head coach Justin Halley. He will lean on sophomore Jacob Dixon, the team's top returner from last year's conference championship. Joining the program this year are sophomore Juwan Lee and freshman Austin Joyce. 

Making an appearance at 7th on the poll is Iowa Wesleyan University. Iowa Wesleyan, who is in their first-year of relaunching the cross country programs, picked up 20 total points. Head coach Chris Creal's roster includes freshman Joel Amor, senior Matt Klundt, and junior Pedro Palomo. 

MacMurray College was picked 8th in the poll with 19 points, as Chad Harmon takes over program coaching duties. The Highlanders are in the program's second year of competition and return sophomore Zach Vespa; their top finisher at the championships from last season. He will be joined by a pair of freshmen in Braden Eaton and Gabriel Sherrill. 

Rounding out the poll is Blackburn College with 14 points. The Beavers finished 5th at last year's SLIAC Championship. 

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