Men Are USTFCCCA Preseason Favorite; Women Ranked Fourth

NEW ORLEANS – In a surprise to no one, the University of Colorado men's cross country team starts the year as the unanimous preseason favorite for the second straight season in the USTFCCCA Preseason Coaches Poll.

The two-time defending NCAA Champions received the top ranking as they return five All-Americans to their roster with seniors Ammar Moussa, Pierce Murphy, Morgan Pearson and Connor Winter and junior Ben Saarel. The Buffs also have two other postseason letterwinners returning to the line-up in redshirt sophomores Zach Perrin and Adam Peterman.

CU recorded 360 points, while Stanford was picked to finish second overall with 344 points. Syracuse was tabbed third overall (335) and Oklahoma State and Wisconsin tied for fourth (305). The men were the top ranked team during the entire 2014 season and did so unanimously all season long.

The women's team earned a fourth place ranking in the preseason poll with 306 points, their highest preseason ranking since 2011 when they were also picked fourth. The Buffs finished seventh at the 2014 NCAA Championship and return a great deal of depth this year, including junior All-American Erin Clark. Other veteran runners include senior Maddie Alm, junior Carrie Verdon and sophomore Kaitlyn Benner.

CU was the highest Pac-12 team ranked in the poll with Oregon at sixth and Stanford seventh. The preseason favorite on the women's side was Iowa State with 335 points. New Mexico was tabbed for second overall with 327 points, while Michigan State rounded out of the three with 316 points.

In the regional rankings, which were announced on Monday, the men were picked first, while the women were second to UNM.

The Buffs will start their season on Friday, Sept. 4 at the Colorado State Invitational.