Aug. 23, 2012

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SAN BRUNO, Calif. -- The West Coast Conference has released the 2012 preseason coaches’ polls for men’s and women’s cross-country. LMU’s women were predicted to finish fourth in the conference, while the men’s team was tied with Santa Clara University with the fifth-most votes.

LMU’s men placed fifth at the 2011 WCC Championships, while the women’s team finished fourth. The Lions’ women return seniors Jessica Mumaugh and Caroline Draper who were in LMU’s “scoring five” in last year’s championship. All five of LMU’s men who earned points at the championship race in Belmont, Calif. return this season. The Lions have added several runners who will make their debuts this season for LMU, including three transfers from other universities. The team has also seen the development of other returning runners to strength the squad.

In the women’s poll, the University of San Francisco has been selected to win the 2012 WCC women’s cross-country championship. The Dons earned seven (7) first-place votes and 63 points overall in the preseason poll. The Dons have captured the last three WCC Women’s Cross Country Championships.

BYU and the University of Portland each received one (1) first place vote to place second and third, with 56 points and 51 points, respectively. LMU rounded out the top four with 44 points.

Gonzaga University was picked to finish in fifth in the WCC standings, followed by Santa Clara University, the University of San Diego, Saint Mary’s College and Pepperdine University.

On the men’s side, BYU has been selected to repeat as the 2012 WCC men’s cross country champions. The Cougars earned seven (7) first-place votes and 63 points overall in the preseason poll. The Cougars captured their first ever WCC Championship at last year’s Men’s Cross Country Championships.

The University of Portland received two (2) first place votes to place second in the poll with 58 total points. Finishing in third and fourth, with 45 points and 41 points, respectively, were the University of San Francisco and Gonzaga University.

LMU and Santa Clara University were picked to tie for fifth in the WCC standings, followed by Saint Mary’s College, the University of San Diego, and Pepperdine University.

The University of San Francisco led the conference in Preseason All-West Coast Conference selections with five runners on the women’s team. The University of Portland followed closely with three runners, while BYU and Gonzaga University each placed one runner on the team.

For the men, BYU led the conference in Preseason All-West Coast Conference selections with five runners. The University of Portland followed closely with four runners, while Santa Clara placed one runner on the team.

The Lions begin their 2012 season with the Mark Covert Classic hosted by Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, Sept. 1. The meet, held in Brea, Calif. begins at 8:15 a.m.

- GO LIONS -