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SAN FRANCISCO — The University of San Francisco's women's cross country team is the preseason favorite to win the West Coast Conference this season as voted on by the league's coaches.
USF's men's team was picked to finish third and the Dons had five runners named to the preseason All-WCC team.
"Undoubtedly, we have a much greater challenge with BYU in our conference this year," USF coach Helen Lehman-Winters said. "Distance running within the West Coast Conference just keeps getting better and better. Polls are great, but that's all they are. What's really important is what you get done on the course. Both our men's and women's teams are excited about the challenge we have ahead of us and they are determined to make 2011 our best season ever."
The Dons' women's squad drew seven of the eight possible first-place votes to total 63 points. WCC newcomer BYU was second with 57 points and Portland third with 49 points. USF is the reigning conference champion, having won the past two WCC titles.
Juniors Sophie Curl and Eva Krchova, along with sophomore Maor Tiyouri, were named to the league's preseason team.
On the men's side, the coaches picked BYU to edge Portland to win the WCC title despite the fact that the Pilots have won 32 consecutive league titles. BYU snagged six of the first-place votes to total 62 points, while Portland finished with 59 points and three first-place votes. The Dons were predicted to finish third with 50 points.
Senior Ganbileg Bor and sophomore Jose Madera earned spots on the WCC's preseason team.
Both cross country teams open their seasons at their own San Francisco Invitational on Sept. 3 at Golden Gate Park.
2011 WCC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
Team (First Place Votes) Points
1. San Francisco (7) 63
2. BYU (2) 57
3. Portland 49
4. Loyola Marymount 45
5. Santa Clara 34
6. Gonzaga 29
7. Pepperdine 21
8. San Diego 14
9. Saint Mary's 12
2011 Preseason Women's Cross Country All-WCC Team
Name School Yr.
Katy Andrews (BYU) SR
Sophie Curl (USF) JR
Lyndy Davis (POR) SR
Sarah Edwards (BYU) JR
Tara Erdmann (LMU) RSR
Kellie Houser (POR) RSO
Eva Krchova (USF) JR
Katie Palmer (BYU) SR
Sheree Shea (LMU) JR
Maor Tiyouri (USF) SO
2011 WCC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
Team (First Place Votes) Points
1. BYU (6) 62
2. Portland (3) 59
3. San Francisco 50
4. Santa Clara 40
5. Loyola Marymount 38
6. Gonzaga 30
7. San Diego 19
8. Saint Mary's 17
9. Pepperdine 9
2011 Preseason Men's Cross Country All-West CCC Team
Name School Yr.
Alden Bahr (BYU) SR
Miles Batty (BYU) SR
Ganbileg Bor (USF) SR
Trevor Dunbar (POR) JR
Alfred Kipchumba (POR) SR
Jose Madera (USF) SO
Lars Erik Malde (POR) JR
Joash Osoro (POR) JR
Robbie Reid (SCU) RS-SR
Jared Ward (BYU) SO
