FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – After adding to its legacy last season with another conference crown, the Christopher Newport University men's cross country team has been selected as the USA South preseason favorites once again in a vote by the league head coaches.

The Captains, who have captured 19 consecutive USA South cross country titles, earned six of the seven first-place votes and totaled 36 points in the preseason poll. Methodist finished second with 26 points and the seventh first-place vote. Coaches cannot vote for their own team.

Dating back to the league's inaugural cross country meet in 1980, CNU has captured all but one of the conference's 27 championships. Under the guidance of second-year head coach Matthew Barreau, the Captains look ready to challenge for their 27th title with an outstanding collection of returning standouts.

Reigning USA South champion Ray Gamache headlines the list of returners after capturing the conference crown last season with a time of 26:09.55 in the title meet. Along with last year's champ, three other All-Conference runners will continue their careers at CNU in 2012. Patrick Cunningham, Bradley Turner, and Aaron Zook will all help anchor the veteran portion of the roster.

Selected No. 8 in the South/Southeast Region in the USTFCCCA Preseason Poll, the Captains will kick off the 2012 season on Friday, August 31 with the CNU/VWC opener at Bells Mill Park in Chesapeake, Virginia.

2012 USA South Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll

Rank	Institution	Pts.
1	Christopher Newport	36 (6)
2	Methodist	26 (1)
3	Maryville	24
4	Piedmont	23
5	Ferrum	16
6	LaGrange	12
7	Averett	10