The 2009 Appalachian Athletic Conference cross country polls have been released and Montreat College picks up where it left off the 2008 season. Led by the 2008 AAC Runner of the Year, Wilbourn Kosgei (Sr.) and 2008 NAIA national cross country qualifier Ben Hall (Jr.), the Cavaliers are ranked 3^rd behind Milligan and Bryan College.

"We return all but one of our top seven runners," said third year head coach Jose Larios. "We have some guys that have impressed us with the work they accomplished this summer, so it will be nice to see how they develop through November. The AAC is tough at the top again with Milligan and Bryan, so we certainly have our work cut out for us."

Men's Appalachian Athletic Conference Preseason Poll
1. Milligan College (Tenn.)
2. Bryan College (Tenn.)
3. Montreat College (N.C.)
4. Reinhardt College (Ga.)
5. Covenant College (Ga.)
6. Tennessee Wesleyan College
7. Union College (Ky.)

On the women's side, the Lady Cavaliers start out the season as the 2^nd ranked team in the AAC behind Milligan College. The 2008 squad brought home the runner-up trophy and looks poised for improvement. The Lady Cavaliers are led by 2008 NAIA national track & field qualifiers Arilicia Adkins (Sr.), Lindsay Mizok (So.) and Elisabeth Elliott (So.); they also received enough national recognition to begin the season at #36 in the NAIA national polls.

"We realize these early season rankings mean very little. We hope to give God his praises by our efforts this season. Both our teams are set to have a great season because their objectives surround honoring Christ through their work. The team believes the rest will take care of itself," added Coach Larios.

Women's Appalachian Athletic Conference
1. Milligan College (Tenn.)
2. Montreat College (N.C.)
3. Bryan College (Tenn.)
4. Covenant College (Ga.)
5. Tennessee Wesleyan College
6. Reinhardt College (Ga.)
7. Union College (Ky.)
8. Bluefield College (Va.)

The 2009 season will begin on September 5^th at the 2^nd annual Cavalier Kickoff Classic. The race will begin at 8:00am on the Black Mountain Campus of Montreat College