NEC Release
SOMERSET, N.J. (August 22, 2012) – The Northeast Conference (NEC) announced its women's cross country Preseason Coaches' Poll on Wednesday with Saint Francis University picked to finish in fifth place for the second consecutive year.
 
“We have a good core group of veteran women who have come into camp in great shape,” first-year head coach Doug Hoover said. “They are doing a great job leading the freshman and helping us take steps in the right direction towards the front-end of the NEC Standings.”
 
Quinnipiac earned 10 first-place votes and was picked to finish atop the Northeast Conference. The Bobcats have captured the last seven NEC Championships and are the favorite again in 2012. Sacred Heart was picked to finish second in the conference, earning one first-place vote.
 
The Red Flash return four of their top seven runners from the team that placed fifth in the NEC Championship in 2011, including NEC All-Conference runner Jennifer Haffner, who placed ninth overall at the NEC Championship meet.
 
Sophomores' Gloria Roberts (Upper Marlboro, Md./Frederick Douglass) and Feleisha Wright (Philadelphia, Pa./Jules Mastbaum) will look to improve on last season, they finished 37th and 47th in the NEC Championship, respectively.
 
Freshman Kylie Jackson (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) will be a focal point for Saint Francis as she looks to top a solid freshman campaign. Jackson placed 45th overall in the Conference Championship.
 
Saint Francis opens up the season Aug. 31 at the Bucknell University Bison Open.
 
2012 Northeast Conference
Women's Cross Country
Preseason Coaches' Poll
 

1. Quinnipiac (10)
2. Sacred Heart (1)
3. Monmouth
4. Central Connecticut
5. Saint Francis
6. Robert Morris
7. Bryant
8. Mount St. Mary's
9. Wagner
10. St. Francis (NY)
11. Fairleigh Dickinson