Mount Olive cross country team picked ninth in preseason Conference Carolinas poll
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The University of Mount Olive men’s cross country program was ranked ninth in the preseason Conference Carolinas poll, which was announced by the league office recently.
The Trojans finished ninth at the Conference Carolinas Championship in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 2022. Mount Olive returns its entire roster from last season while welcoming three newcomers to the team. Juniors Aman Tsegay and Riley Willcox will compete at the front of the pack for the Trojans, while teammate Ashton Olmstead looks to return to all-conference status after missing last season due to injury.
UNC Pembroke was voted the overwhelming favorite with 11 first-place nods after securing the 2022 Conference Carolinas Championship and placing sixth overall at the Southeast Regional. Southern Wesleyan was selected second in the rankings, while Lees-McRae followed in third. Emmanuel was chosen fourth with the final three first-place votes following a second-place finish at the league championship. Belmont Abbey rounded-out the top-five in the men’s cross country rankings.
The Conference Carolinas Championships will be held on Oct. 21, at McAlpine Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Trojans start the year on Sept. 2 by competing at the Catawba Fleet Feet Invite in Salisbury, North Carolina.
2023 Conference Carolinas Men’s Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. UNC Pembroke (11)
2. Southern Wesleyan
3. Lees-McRae
4. Emmanuel (3)
5. Belmont Abbey
6. North Greenville
7. Erskine
8. Converse
9. Mount Olive
10. Barton
11. Young Harris
12. King
13. Francis Marion
14. Chowan
