Northwest Christian Favorite to Win CCC Women’s Cross Country Title
LA GRANDE Ore. – Chasing their first conference title in school history, the Northwest Christian Beacons are the favorites to win the 2014 Cascade Conference women’s cross country title, as selected by the coaches and announced by the conference on Tuesday morning.
The Beacons earned 80 of 81 possible points, including eight first-place votes, to enter the season as the clear favorite. NCU, who opens the season on Aug. 30 with a dual against Oregon Tech in Klamath Falls, Ore., will be led by senior Emily McLean, the sixth-place runner at the conference championship in 2013.
Southern Oregon was picked second with 65 points. The Raiders finished third at last year’s championship in Caldwell, Idaho. SOU opens up 2014 on Sep. 13 at the Humboldt State Invitational in Arcata, Calif.
Defending champion College of Idaho earned the final first place vote but the Yotes will have to replace 2013 NAIA individual champion Hilary Holt. C of I will be led by sophomore Lila Klopefenstein, the third-place finisher at the conference championship a year ago.
Concordia, who hosts the 2014 championship, has been predicted to finish in fourth place with 54 points. Corban was eight points back, taking fifth in the poll with 46 points.
Oregon Tech, who hosts favorite NCU to open the season, is predicted sixth with 39 points, followed by Northwest (28), Eastern Oregon (25) and Warner Pacific (11).
The 2014 Cascade Conference Cross Country Championship is set for Nov. 8 at Fernhill Park in Portland, Ore. The 2014 NAIA National Championships will be contested on Nov. 22 at Rim Rock Farms in Lawrence, Kan.
2014 CCC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
|
1. |
Northwest Christian (8) |
80 |
|
2. |
Southern Oregon |
65 |
|
3. |
College of Idaho (1) |
57 |
|
4. |
Concordia |
54 |
|
5. |
Corban |
46 |
|
6. |
Oregon Tech |
39 |
|
7. |
Northwest |
28 |
|
8. |
Eastern Oregon |
25 |
|
9. |
Warner Pacific |
11 |
First place votes in parentheses