Brentwood, TN – Austin Peay State University men and women’s cross country teams each were picked to finish eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference’s preseason poll, released Thursday.
With both his team’s reporting to campus, Tuesday, head coach Doug Molnar is encouraged by what he has seen in their first few preseason practices. He is even less concerned with the league’s preseason prognostication, which he feels is not indicative of his team’s potential this upcoming season.
“A lot of the rankings are based on what you do the previous year,” said Molnar. “We finished eighth in both the men and women’s competitions last year so that’s probably where we should be picked. I believe we’re going to be stronger than both those finishes by the time the championship rolls around. I really like these two teams and how close-knit they are with one another.”
Eastern Kentucky was picked to win the men’s championship, receiving all nine possible first-place votes (coaches could not vote for their own team) and finishing with 81 points. Southeast Missouri and Eastern Illinois were picked to finish tied for second place with 68 points each, Southeast Missouri received the remaining first-place vote. The Govs (28 points) were picked to finish ahead of both Murray State (21) and Tennessee State (12).
The Governors return four runners from last season’s squad, including team most valuable player junior Enock (Ee-knock) Langat. He led the team in all six races last season, despite a late-season injury. That group of returners will be joined by three newcomers. Heading that group will be sophomore transfer Geofrey Kosgei (Kuh-say-gee), who comes to Austin Peay from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where he finished 17th in Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Cross Country Championship.
“Enock finished last season with a strong run at the regionals,” said Molnar. “He’s gotten healthy and comes back to us, after a big summer, in good shape. I believe Geofrey will be the big addition to the men’s team. He ran some good times at UAPB last season and should help solidify our top group.
“We don’t have a whole lot numbers-wise, but I believe we’re going to be solid up front. Our top four will be pretty good, it’s just a matter of who will step up as our number-five guy.”
Eastern Kentucky also was picked to win the women’s championship, again receiving all nine possible first-place votes and posting 81 points. Eastern Illinois (70 points) was picked second followed by Murray State (63). The Lady Govs (28 points) were selected ahead of UT Martin (24) and Tennessee State (10).
A youth movement is underway on the Lady Govs cross country roster with just two returnees – juniors Janelle Avery and Alyssa Molnar – from last season’s team to be joined by five freshmen. Avery returns after earning team most valuable player honors last season following a campaign that saw her lead the team in all six competitions. Highlighting the large group of newcomers are Kendra Kirksey and Miranda Weed.
“We are very young on the women’s side,” said Molnar. “We have just two juniors coming back and one of them is Janelle, our team MVP. It’s always nice to have that person come back so we have some leadership up front. Our first two meets will be an opportunity to find out what we have among all the freshmen.”
Both teams will get the 2010 campaign underway at the Belmont Opener, Friday, September 3rd, at Percy Warner Park in Nashville.
