YORK, Pa. - Three-time defending champion Christopher Newport was once again selected as the preseason favorite to win the conference this fall, as the Captains totaled eight first-place votes and 80 points to lead the way in a vote of the CAC women's cross country coaches.

York finished second in the preseason poll with two first-place votes and 72 points, followed by Mary Washington (64 points), Salisbury (58 points), and Marymount (48 points) in the top five.

Southern Virginia tallied 35 points to claim sixth place, with Wesley (31 points) and St. Mary's (30 points) close behind in seventh and eighth, respectively. Rounding out the poll were Frostburg State (22 points) and Penn State Harrisburg (11 points).

A formidable group of runners return throughout the conference this year, as 10 of the 16 All-CAC performers at last season's championship are back for another run at conference glory.

Christopher Newport ran away with the 2015 title, placing five runners in the top-eight to secure its third straight crown. York junior Alicia Dillman raced to the individual crown, besting the second-place runner by over 20 seconds. CNU's Lydia Cromwell was the lone NCAA Championship participant from the CAC last season, taking 213th place.

Penn State Harrisburg will serve as the host of the CAC Championships for the first time this fall. The championship meet is slated for Saturday, Oct. 29.

2016 CAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll

1. Christopher Newport (8 first-place votes) 80 points
2. York (2 first-place votes) 72 points
3. Mary Washington 64 points
4. Salisbury 58 points
5. Marymount 48 points
6. Southern Virginia 35 points
7. Wesley 31 points
8. St. Mary's 30 points
9. Frostburg State 22 points
10. Penn State Harrisburg 10 points

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL: Christopher Newport Unanimous Choice to Repeat

YORK, Pa. - - After finishing second in the first two years as members of the conference, Christopher Newport broke through in 2015, placing five runners among the top 12 in the championship race to capture its first CAC Men's Cross Country Championship. With seven all-conference performers back in the fold this fall, it's no surprise that the Captains were the unanimous pick to repeat in a vote among conference head coaches.

CNU collected nine first-place votes and 81 points to sit atop the poll as the unanimous favorite. York ranked second with one first-place vote and 70 points, followed closely by Salisbury with 68 points. Mary Washington was fourth with 57 points, with St. Mary's (45 points) and Marymount (43) neck-and-neck in fifth and sixth, respectively.

Rounding out the 2016 CAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll were Frostburg State in seventh with 32 points, Wesley in eighth with 24 points, Southern Virginia in ninth with 17 points, and Penn State Harrisburg in 10th with 13 points.

Christopher Newport placed second at the NCAA South/Southeast Regional last fall, becoming the first CAC men's cross country team to qualify for the NCAA National Championship meet. Six CAC runners earned All-Region recognition with top-35 finishes. The Captains went on to finish 32nd at the NCAA meet.

A strong contingent of runners return in 2016, as all but one of last year's all-conference honorees are back in the fold this season. Expect another highly-competitive race for top spots in the conference this fall.

Penn State Harrisburg will serve as the host of the CAC Championships for the first time. The championship meet is slated for Saturday, Oct. 29.

2016 CAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll

1. Christopher Newport (9 first-place votes) 81 points
2. York (1 first-place vote) 70 points
3. Salisbury 68 points
4. Mary Washington 57 points
5. St. Mary's 45 points
6. Marymount 43 points
7. Frostburg State 32 points
8. Wesley 24 points
9. Southern Virginia 17 points
10. Penn State Harrisburg 13 points