As we get ready for the Syracuse Orange cross country season to kick off, we know that expectations are high for the men’s squad. The Orange were voted as the No. 3 team in the country in the pre-season USTFCCA coaches poll released yesterday.
Defending champion Northern Arizona earned the top spot with seven first-place votes followed by the Stanford Cardinal with three first place votes. Syracuse earned one first place vote, and the Orange were followed by the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Colorado Buffaloes (who earned the first place vote).
The top three teams in the poll repeated their order from last year’s Championships. I was surprised to see Colorado 5th as I think they along with Stanford and Syracuse should be the biggest threats to a Northern Arizona repeat. Outside of the top five, Wisconsin is another team to watch closely.
Syracuse was once again selected as the top team in the Northeast Region, ahead of the Iona Gaels. The Orange have won the last four regional championships and will look to make it five in a row this November. The men will also be looking for their sixth straight conference championship this season (one Big East and four ACC so far). Syracuse will face competition for that title from the Virginia Cavaliers, Virginia Tech Hokies, and NC State Wolfpack.
The Orange women start the season ranked fifth in the Northeast Region. Syracuse will be looking to get back to the NCAA Championships after missing out last season.
Cross country gets started this Saturday at the Harry Lang Invitational hosted by Colgate.