Bowling Green State University Athletics
Women's Cross Country Falcons Picked for Third in MAC
August 16, 2007 | Men's Cross Country
Aug. 16, 2007
CLEVELAND, Ohio (BGSUFalcons.com) - The Bowling Green State University women's cross country team has been picked to finish third at this year's Mid-American Conference Championships. The Falcon men's team was predicted to finish seventh as the conference office released the 2007 preseason polls on Thursday (Aug. 16). The polls are the results of voting by the MAC's head coaches.
The Falcons of head coach Cami Wells return five letterwinners on the women's side and six (including one 2005 letterwinner) from the men's squad. Wells begins her ninth year as BGSU's women's coach, and 2007 marks her sixth season as the head coach of both Falcon cross country programs.
"I am very excited about the season, and I feel that we are in a position to do some very positive things this fall," said Wells.
"The polls have never meant much to me one way or another. Regardless of what has happened in the past, this is a new year and we have to go out and earn our spot in this conference. I feel we have a lot of potential on both the men's and the women's teams, and I would say these two squads are the most talented teams I have had here. But, potential has to be coupled with a lot of hard work in order to achieve the desired outcome.
Last season, the women's team was picked to finish sixth in the conference, but posted a second-place finish at the MAC Championships. BGSU had two runners earn All-MAC First-Team honors at that race, including returnee Jamie Roflow. The BG men finished eighth at the 2006 conference meet.
The Eastern Michigan men's and Ohio women's cross country teams were picked to win their respective titles in 2007. EMU is coming off of a second consecutive men's team title after racking up 23 points last season at the MAC Championship, and will welcome back four All-MAC honorees from the '06 squad.
Kent State's men were picked to finish second behind Eastern. The Golden Flashes were followed by Central Michigan in third, while Miami, Ohio and Akron took places four through six. BGSU, Buffalo and Toledo rounded out the men's poll.
Top returnees for the Brown and Orange include sophomore Eddie Kipchoge and senior Brad Wells. The two finished 18th and 27th, respectively, at last year's MAC Championships.
Ohio will look to win a league-best tenth women's team title this season. Last season at the MAC Championship, the Bobcats placed their five scorers among the top 15 placers en route to winning the title, and individual winner Carime Reinhart returns, as do two other all-league honorees.
Akron was picked to finish in second place on the women's side, followed by BGSU, Toledo, Ball State and Miami in the top-six spots. Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Buffalo and Northern Illinois rounded out the women's poll.
In addition to Roflow, a senior, Wells welcomes back two other runners who finished well in last year's MAC meet. Carly Bates, now a sophomore, finished 28th in that race, while Kara Butler, a junior in '07, placed 31st last November at the league meet.
Wells and the Falcons are in the midst of preseason training, and the 2007 season begins with a home dual meet vs. Toledo on Friday, Aug. 31.
"The majority of the athletes are fit and healthy at this point, but we do have some key athletes who are currently battling some illness and injury problems," said Wells. "So, we need to get them healthy and keep everyone else healthy which is the other big key to our season outcome."
The 2007 MAC Cross Country Championships, hosted by Central Michigan, will be held on Saturday, October 27.
MAC Women's Cross Country
2007 Preseason Poll
1. Ohio 2. Akron 3. Bowling Green 4. Toledo 5. Ball State 6. Miami 7. Western Michigan 8. Central Michigan 9. Eastern Michigan 10. Kent State 11. Buffalo 12. Northern Illinois
MAC Men's Cross Country
2007 Preseason Poll
1. Eastern Michigan 2. Kent State 3. Central Michigan 4. Miami 5. Ohio 6. Akron 7. Bowling Green 8. Buffalo 9. Toledo
(Portions of this release courtesy MAC office)
