(PRINCETON, W.Va.)---Seton Hill is the coaches' choice to claim the 2010 WVIAC men's and women's cross country championships. The Griffins edged West Virginia Wesleyan, Wheeling Jesuit, and Concord in tight voting atop the men's poll. The coaches placed SHU, Wesleyan, Concord, and Wheeling Jesuit in the top four spots in the women's voting.
Seton Hill, which shared last season's men's title with West Virginia Wesleyan, returns nine runners from that squad. 2009 WVIAC individual champion Dom Camasso, Ben Rogers, Mike Ortiz, and Jon Bogert head up the SHU returnees.
Wesleyan welcomes back a trio of athletes that posted top ten finishes in last season's WVIAC Championship. Nate Edwards, Skyler McCoy, and Barry Franklin pace the traditionally-strong Bobcats.
Nick Bonaventure placed 12th in the conference meet as a freshman last season for Wheeling Jesuit. Craig Pritt, Nick Lucento, and Szymon Rola are among the top returnees at Concord.
Alderson-Broaddus placed fifth in the men's poll, followed by Davis & Elkins, Glenville State, West Liberty, Fairmont State, Ohio Valley, and Bluefield State.
Seniors Lara Heinz, Anna Cote, and Kyrsti Sowers, along with junior Julie Pierret, hope to lead Seton Hill to the school's first WVIAC women's cross country title.
West Virginia Wesleyan has won the past eight women's conference titles and 14 of the past 15 championships. Sophomore Ashley Lavengood, who placed 13th at last year's conference meet, is the top returning Lady Bobcat finisher.
Chelsea Callaway, a sixth-place finisher in the 2009 WVIAC Championship, is one of a strong returning group for Concord. Shawnee Carnett earned All-American status during the outdoor track season with a seventh-place finish at nationals in the 800 meters.
Sarah Campanelli leads Wheeling Jesuit. The junior posted a strong 11th place effort at the 2009 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional.
Alderson-Broaddus rounds out the top five in the women's poll, trailed by West Liberty and Charleston in a tie for sixth. Davis & Elkins, Glenville State, Pitt Johnstown, Fairmont State, Ohio Valley, and Bluefield State completed the voting.
The 2010 WVIAC Cross Country Championship is set for November 6 at Cedar Creek State Park. The complete coaches' poll results follow:
Men:
1. Seton Hill (2) 79
2. WV Wesleyan (2) 78
3. Wheeling Jesuit (4) 71
4. Concord 69
5. Alderson-Broaddus 59
6. Davis & Elkins 47
7. Glenville State 38
8. West Liberty 32
9. Fairmont State 26
10. Ohio Valley 18
11. Bluefield State 11
Women:
1. Seton Hill (4) 112
2. WV Wesleyan (5) 108
3. Concord 97
4. Wheeling Jesuit 86
5. Alderson-Broaddus 85
6. West Liberty 59
6. Charleston 59
8. Davis & Elkins 58
9. Glenville State 43
10. Pitt Johnstown 42
11. Fairmont State 37
12. Ohio Valley 23
13. Bluefield State 10