(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - Christopher Newport University, under the direction of first-year Head Coach Patty Ley, was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to defend its USA South Athletic Conference women's cross country title in 2010. The Captains are the 12-time defending USA South champions and have won 14 of the 15 USA South Women's Cross Country Championships ever held.

CNU received eight of ten first place votes (80 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Shenandoah University finished second in the balloting with 74 points and the final two first place votes while Mary Baldwin College placed third with 62 points. Rounding out the top-five were Meredith College and Methodist University who collected 59 and 47 points, respectfully.

The women's cross country season gets underway on Wednesday, September 1st as CNU competes in the Virginia Wesleyan Dual in Virginia Beach, Va..

2010 USA South Coaches Poll

Rank     Institution (1st Place Votes)
1.           Christopher Newport (8)
2.           Shenandoah (2)
3.           Mary Baldwin
4.           Meredith
5.           Methodist
6.           Peace
7.           Greensboro
8.           Averett
9            Ferrum