BENNINGTON, Vt. – As the team began its preseason training earlier this week, the women's cross country coaches around the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) voted Southern Vermont College to finish fourth in the 2015 league championship race.

Lesley University, a team that has taken claim of the Conference title in each of the NECC's seven-year existence, received five of the eight first-place votes to once again win the crown.

SVC third-year head coach Kathleen Newton looks to improve upon the team's fifth-place finish at the 2014 title meet as she returns the core of that squad. Among those runners suiting up again for Southern Vermont are juniors Shelby Whitman (Bennington, Vt.) and Schyler McGuire (Mechanicville, N.Y.). Whitman was the NECC Runner of the Year in 2014 as she won the NECC Championship race while McGuire made her way to the All-NECC Second Team with a seventh-place crossing.

"The team is looking to improve their overall Conference standings," commented Newton. "Expectations for the season are to increase speed, confidence and strength during the year. We want to work together as a group and continue a supportive team atmosphere. The biggest challenges for both teams are to remain healthy while challenging themselves during practice and competition and to always have mental focus and toughness. We want to make hard work their passion."

Southern Vermont begins the 2015 season on September 5 with its Mountaineer Invitational along the slopes of the Mount Anthony-side SVC campus. The team will also compete at the Castleton Invitational (Sept. 12), the Purple Valley Classic hosted by Williams College (Sept. 26), and the Western New England University Golden Bear Invitational (Oct. 17) as it prepares for postseason races.

The Mountaineers will play host for the NECC Championship on October 31 at Stanley Park in Westfield, Mass. in their final 5,000 meter run of the year. SVC then participates in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III Championship on November 7, a 6K hosted by Williams College at Mount Greylock Regional High School. The following weekend, the team heads to Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, Conn. for the NCAA Division III Regional Qualifier.

2015 NECC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Lesley - 76 (5)
2. Elms - 67 (1)
3. Regis - 65 (3)
4. Southern Vermont - 51 
5. Mitchell - 41
6. Newbury – 32
T-7. Wheelock – 29
T-7. Bay Path – 29
9. Daniel Webster - 15

(Parentheses denote first place votes)