The Milligan College Lady Buffs cross country team were the top choice of the AAC coaches to win the 2006 conference title. Milligan received all but one first place vote to top the early rankings with 89 points.
Milligan\'s women return all but one athlete from last years tenth place national finish and look to a group of newcomers to fill the void left by six-time All-American Megan Lease. Joining the Lady Buffs this Fall is MacKenzie LaBonte, a transfer from East Tennessee State University. LaBonte led ETSU at last years A-Sun Championships with an 18th place finish. Joining LaBonte will be freshman Rebecca MacDowell from Atlee High School in Virginia. MacDowell owns high school best of 19:34 for 5k in cross country and 11:30 for 2 miles on the track.
\"I\'m confident we\'ll be a deeper, stronger team this Fall, but we\'ll certainly miss Megan\'s dominance in the number one spot,\" said head coach Chris Layne.
There was no surprise on the men\'s side with Virginia Intermont take all nine first place votes. The defending national champions have plenty of depth returning despite a mass-exodus of athletes from last years squad.
\"With the addition of young programs like Bryan College, the AAC is an emerging cross country conference so I think spots two through four will be a dog fight, especially on the men\'s side,\" said Layne.
Milligan\'s men were picked to finish second by the conference coaches. The Buffs lose the one-two punch of Chris Wright and Brandon Talbert, but look to a young crop of unproven talent as well as the return of middle distance ace Josh Ferry.
\"On paper, we\'re not very good, but I believe by seasons end this group of men will surprise a few people,\" said Layne.
2006 AAC PRESEASON CROSS COUNTRY COACHES POLL
WOMEN
1 Milligan 89 (8)
2 Virginia Intermont 81 (1)
3 King 72
4 Covenant 59
5 Tenn Wes 52
6 Bryan 40
7 UVA Wise 36
8 Union 30
9 Montreat 27
MEN
1 Virginia Intermont 90 (9)
2 Milligan 69
3 King 66
4 Bryan 62
5 Covenant 58
6 Tenn Wes 38
7 UVA Wise 37
8 Union 34
9 Montreat 32