Centennial Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll
HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford men's cross country team was predicted for a second place finish in the Centennial Conference preseason coaches' poll announced today (Aug. 27).
The Fords received one first-place vote for a total of 55 voting points. Johns Hopkins, last year's Centennial Conference champion, received the other eight first-place votes (64 points). Dickinson was selected third followed by Swarthmore, Muhlenberg, Gettysburg, Franklin & Marshall, Ursinus and McDaniel round out the poll.
Head coach Tom Donnelly's team finished third in the Centennial Conference last year after winning the conference meet 18 of the last 20 previous seasons. The team also qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship and finished 10th. Five of the seven runners in the 2013 national meet return for the 2014 campaign led by all-region honoree Charlie Marquardt.
Haverford was also selected as the No. 2 team in the Mideast Region by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) Division III preseason poll. Four Centennial Conference teams were ranked in the top-five, led by Johns Hopkins. Dickinson placed third in the poll, followed by Swarthmore (fifth).
Donnelly's squad begins the 2014 season by hosting the Haverford Alumni/Open on Sept. 6 and the Main Line Invitational (Sept. 25). They will also host the Centennial Conference Championships on Nov. 1.