Men's Cross Country Receives Preseason Regional Ranking
Aug 31, 2015 | Cross Country
NEW ORLEANS - The Tulane University men's cross country team received regional recognition as the Green Wave were ranked 15th in the South Central Region in a preseason poll released Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
A year ago, the Wave won the season-opening meet at Mississippi College, posted a fourth-place showing at the McNeese Cowboy Stampede and finished seventh in the American Athletic Conference Championship. In addition, Tulane earned a bid to the NCAA South Central Regional, where it finished 14th among 23 participating teams.
"It's a nice preseason recognition for our men's team," Tulane head coach Eric Peterson said. "I know we are going to be stronger this year than we have been in years past. That's primarily because we're stronger in the front end of our team. We're young, but we're a more talented than team. We expect to have a good year and it's nice to get some early-season recognition like this."
The Green Wave return seven-of-eight lettermen from the 2014 squad, including rising sophomore Moses Aloiloi. The native of Kitale, Republic of Georgia, was named the Louisiana Freshman and Runner of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and claimed a spot on the NCAA All-South Central Region Team as a rookie after leading the team in all six meets he competed in. Along the way, he broke school records in the four-mile with a time of 19:16.10 and in the 10K with a 30:19.20 – the fastest collegiate time at the regional meet. Aloiloi was twice named The American's Cross Country Athlete of the Week.
Also back for Tulane are Charlie Frishberg, Jonathan Heil, Chris Lowery, Mark Manion, Nicholas Meloro and Jack White. The Green Wave welcome the talents of incoming freshmen Joshua Cheruyot and Emmanuel Rotich for the 2015 campaign.
Tulane is one of five men's programs from The American Athletic Conference to garner preseason regional recognition by the USTFCCCA as defending league champion Tulsa ranks fourth in the Midwest Region, Houston ranks 10th in the South Central Region, Temple sits 13th in the Mid-Atlantic Region and Cincinnati ranks 14th in the Great Lakes Region.
The Tulane cross country teams open the 2015 season on Friday, Sept. 4, when they travel to Mobile, Alabama, to participate in the South Alabama Cross Country Opener. The women will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the men slated to start at 6:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
