By: Jake Miller
HARTSVILLE, S.C.- The Coker men's cross country team locked up the seventh spot in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll, while the women were picked fifth, the league announced today.
To view the full South Atlantic Conference men's cross country release, click here.
To view the full South Atlantic Conference women's cross country release, click here.
Head Coach Benny Morgan had more than good things to say about both of his squads. Both teams had success within the conference and the region in 2015, and look to build off that into the 2016 campaign.
Eyes on the Prize
The men's team finished seventh at the SAC Championships last season, and Coach Morgan is familiar with where his teams have been picked this preseason. "We've been seventh the last two years, we're looking to crack the top six," said Morgan of his men's squad.
Key Returners and Fresh Faces
Morgan expects sophomore Jacob Chebii to have another outstanding year in 2016. Chebii made great contributions during his freshman season, running in six of seven races for Coker. He won both the USC Open (Sept. 23, 10:11) and the FMU Invitational (Oct. 16, 16:02). Altogether, Chebii finished in the top-30 in four of his six races. "We're looking for Jacob to become more of a physical leader and continue what he did last year," said Morgan of his sophomore.
The men's squad welcomes seven freshmen that Morgan hopes can develop and maintain the progress the program has made as a whole. Morgan spoke highly of his newcomers on the men's side, noting several unique points about the group. Several in-state newcomers as well as freshman William Mosley, who is new to running cross country, Morgan says, make up a unique freshman group.
Hungry for More
As mentioned, the women's cross country team was selected fifth in the preseason poll, where they finished the 2015 season. The team was also ranked in the Southeast region throughout the season last year. They finished fifth at the SAC Championships and also 21st at the NCAA Southeast Regional last season. "We're hoping to finish in the top seven in the conference this year," said Morgan of his women's squad.
A Lott to Look Forward to
Morgan spoke highly of Darroneisha Lott, a junior who is coming off a redshirt season. "She brings great credentials, and we're hoping for her to be in the top five in the conference, as well as top five in the region to get an automatic bid to the national meet," said Morgan. Coach also spoke highly of some other returners on his women's squad, including sophomore Breanna Sullivan. "She's probably one of the most positive athletes I've ever coached, she brings a lot of positive atmosphere to the team," Morgan said of Sullivan. Morgan also stated that his women's squad is young, noting that even next year they will not lose anyone to graduation.
Schedule Breakdown
The Cobras will run three races in the month of September and four in October, including the opening race at the Palmetto State CC Festival (Sept. 3). The Cobras run a conference meet at the Royal Challenge, hosted by Queens on Oct. 7. The SAC Championships are slated for Oct. 22, and the NCAA Southeast Regional will take place Nov. 5.
The Cobras open their 2016 campaign in Columbia, S.C. at the Palmetto State CC Festival on Sept. 3.
For the full interview with Coach Morgan, click here.