BENNINGTON, Vt. – In a preseason poll voted on by New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) women's cross country coaches, Southern Vermont College has been picked to finish fourth at the conference's championship meet on October 26 at Stanley Park in Westfield, Mass.

First-year head coach and former Mountaineer runner Kathleen Newton sees three runners from the 2012 squad return to compete again for Southern Vermont. She also welcomes one newcomer to the team that also finished fourth at the NECC Championship a year ago.

Among the returners are sophomore Haley Omasta (Danbury, Conn.) and senior Sara Burds (Williston, Vt.). Omasta saw tremendous improvement over the 2012 season as she dropped over three minutes from the year's first meet and the Western New England University Golden Bear Invitation in mid-October; she ran a 21:43 at that race, good enough to tie for fifth on the all-time SVC record board. She also completed the NCAA Regional 6K race in a time of 26:51 which ranks her third in school history. Burds also made terrific changes in her running style that caused her to drop over three minutes from her first meet to the NECC Championship in late October.

"I'm planning to create an atmosphere of strong, supportive team dynamics along with hard work and determination to be the best we can be," commented Newton. "I hope the athletes will enjoy the season, and I expect the team members to develop commitment, trust and loyalty to each other and the program, while excelling academically."

Southern Vermont begins its trip to the fall championships September 7 with the Williams Co-ed Relays, prior to hosting the Mountaineer Invitational on September 14. The Mountaineers' schedule also includes the September 28 Vermont State Championship at Castleton State College and a return to the WNEU Golden Bear Invitational on October 19.

"In order to do well in the NECC meet, the athletes must connect and create a strong team bond," continued Newton. "They must help and push each other during both races and training sessions. Working in a pack during races and knowing that the team success depends on each runner will be imperative." 

Five-time NECC Champion Lesley University was unanimously selected to once again finish first with Mitchell College and Elms College picked to finish second and third, respectively.

2013 NECC Women's Cross Country Poll     (NECC RELEASE)

1. Lesley (8)
2. Mitchell
3. Elms
4. Southern Vermont
5. Newbury
6. Bay Path
7. Regis
8. Daniel Webster

(Parentheses denote first-place votes)