DC Cross Country Picked Sixth in HCAC Preseason Poll

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The first ever HCAC men's cross country preseason poll was recently released by the league office. The Yellow Jackets were picked to finish sixth in the HCAC and placed three runners on the Preseason Watch List. (HCAC Preseason Poll)

Defiance received 39 points in the poll trailing Hanover (40) by just one point for fifth place. Manchester (77), Rose-Hulman (71), Anderson (62) and Franklin (60) were picked as the top four teams entering the season. Mount St. Joseph (25), Bluffton (16) and Transylvania (15) rounded out last three spots in the poll. 

The Yellow Jackets finished sixth in the 2008 HCAC cross country championships. They advanced to the NCAA Regional Champions and finished 32nd with strong performances from Justin Perkins and Seth Bidlack.

DC will look to improve in 2009 and will rely heavily on Perkins and Bidlack to lead the charge. Perkins and Bidlack are joined on the HCAC Preseason Runners-to-Watch List by incoming freshman Hayden Krick. The Yellow Jackets will look forward to a strong class of freshmen runners to elevate the team in the HCAC standings

The Yellow Jackets will begin the 2009 season on September 1, when they travel to North Manchester, Ind., to compete in the Manchester Invitational.