The Cal Poly men’s cross country program achieved unanimous favorite status for the third straight season as the Mustangs claimed all eight first place votes in the 2008 preseason coaches poll it was announced Thursday.
Cal Poly, which has taken home the conference crown in six straight seasons and eight of the previous ten campaigns, is coming off a dominant 2007 season in which it finished 11th at the NCAA meet, claimed four All-Region runners and swept the top five positions during the Big West Championships for the first time in league history. The Mustangs welcome back All-Region selections Troy Swier, Evan Anderson and Jeff Lease as well as Joe Gatel and 2007 Big West Freshman of the Year Carl Dargitz, who ran an impressive season-best time of 24:36 in the 8K in his rookie campaign. Adding to the depth of Cal Poly is Leif Anderson, who had an impressive outdoor track season including a time of 9:07 in the steeple, and the California State JC champion Daniel Gonia who put forth a top time of 29:46 a year ago.
UC Riverside, which wrapped up the conference meet in third place a year ago, finished the preseason poll in the second position with 51 points. The Highlanders return four harriers that finished in the top 31 of the conference meet a year ago, led by Michael Buell (16th) and Andrew Tachias (17th). Also returning are Pedro Ramos (28th) and Daniel Lindstrom (31st). A pair of redshirts could also be key contributors for the Highlanders in Chad Hall and Jose Melena. Hall’s personal-best time is 24:12, while Melena has run a 24:28 in previous competition.
UC Santa Barbara was right behind UCR in the poll for the third position with 49 points. The Gauchos, who finished second at last year’s Championships, return a pair of top ten 2007 league meet finishers in Scott Smith (7th) and Julian DeRubira (9th). Spencer Rotan also returns for UCSB after a 38th place finish at the 2007 Conference Championships as does Erik Aardal who has improved into a steady runner. Also keep an eye on Jeremy Acosta who ran a 9:08 in the 3200 at the California State Prep Championships a year ago.
UC Davis wasn’t too far off the Gauchos in fourth place with 44 points. The Aggies return a wealth of experienced runners who performed admirably in their first full Division I season. Leading the charge are a trio of experienced runners in Thomas DiLeo, Patrick Parcel and Ben Deland, who all finished with times under 33:40 at the West Regional Championships a year ago. Add in the talents of Jonathan Peterson (31:16 at Regionals) and David Bushcho (27:53 at Big West) and UCD will be aiming for big things in 2008.
Finishing in fifth in the 2008 preseason men’s poll was UC Irvine with 29 points, followed by Long Beach State in the sixth position with 25 points. Rounding out the poll are Cal State Fullerton (17) and Cal State Northridge (9).
2008 BIG WEST MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
No. School Pts.
1. Cal Poly (8) 64
2. UC Riverside 51
3. UC Santa Barbara 49
4. UC Davis 44
5. UC Irvine 29
6. Long Beach State 25
7. Cal State Fullerton 17
8. Cal State Northridge 9
( ) First-place votes