Cleveland, Ohio – The Oberlin College women's cross country team was picked to the win NCAC crown this fall, claiming the top spot in the league's preseason poll with 76 points and four first-place votes. The Yeomen were tabbed fourth, earning 70 points – just one shy of third place Denison.

The Yeowomen return to the conference's top runner in two-time league champion Joanna Johnson. Johnson, who touched the tape first in every race last season outside of the NCAA Championships, was named as the Great Lakes Region Runner of the Year as well as the NCAC Runner of the Year. The junior from Chico, California, claimed her first cross country All-America honor by placing 32nd at the NCAA Championships.

As a team, the Oberlin women have finished in the top three of the NCAC in each of the last four seasons – including a conference championship in 2006. If the Yeowomen hope to add another league title they will need large contributions from seniors Clara Shaw and Cordelia Revells and sophomores Christine Moore and Nina Cole.

Kenyon (73/4 1st-place votes), Wittenberg (64/1 1st-place vote), Ohio Wesleyan (57) and Allegheny (43) round out the top five on the women's side.

The Yeomen also have the potential to jump into the upper echelon of North Coast teams with an underclass-laden group of runners. Oberlin finished fifth in the league a year ago, but junior Justin Warner and sophomore Ben Schild hope to lead the team to even greater success this fall.

The junior-sophomore pairing of Albert Davila and Derek Lange will also be counted on to turn in career years for head coach Ray Appenheimer.

Allegheny claimed all 10 first-place votes to top the poll, while Wabash (82) and Denison (71) checked in front of Oberlin in second and third respectively. The complete poll can be viewed below.

Both the men and women begin their season a week from Tuesday on September 1 at the Wooster Invitational.

NCAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Oberlin (4) 76.0
2. Kenyon (4) 73.0
3. Wittenberg (1) 64.0
4. Ohio Wesleyan 57.0
5. Allegheny 43.0
6. Denison 37.5
7. Wooster 27.5
8. Hiram 17.0
9. Earlham 10.0

NCAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Allegheny (10) 100.0
2. Wabash 82.0
3. Denison 71.0
4. Oberlin 70.0
5. Kenyon 65.0
6. Ohio Wesleyan 60.0
7. Wittenberg 39.0
8. Wooster 33.0
9. Earlham 19.0
10. Hiram 11.0