Northeast Conference (NEC) Release

Somerset, NJ - Quinnipiac's dominance over the last half decade in the sport of women's cross country was more than enough to convince Northeast Conference (NEC) head coaches to cast their preseason ballots in favor of the Bobcats. Quinnipiac emerged as the clear favorite to capture a sixth consecutive title, tallying 10 first-place votes.

Sacred Heart, the NEC runner-up in each of the past two seasons, took the second spot with two first place nods, with Monmouth and Saint Francis (PA) behind in third and fourth. Mount St. Mary's rounded out the top five, with Central Connecticut State and Bryant tabbed sixth and seventh, respectively. Staking claim to eighth was Robert Morris, followed by Long Island in ninth. Finishing off the 12-team field were Farleigh Dickinson, Wagner and St. Francis (NY).

Under 15th-year head coach Joe Stasi, the Seahawks will look to improve upon last year's 12th-place finish. The Green & White welcome back three sophomores from last year's squad, all of whom contributed greatly.

Sophomore Taylor Fredrickson (Staten Island, NY / Tottenville) paced Wagner in five of the team's six races and finished second on the squad in the 2009 NEC Championships. Classmate Kelly Dennis (Staten Island, NY / St. John Villa) was among the top-two finishers on the squad in five of her six races before pacing the tema at the NEC meet. Fellow sophomore Dominique Serpe (Staten Island, NY / Notre Dame Academy) also scored for the Seahawks in all six races a year ago and will join four talented newcomers for the Green & White.

Wagner will kick off the year at the Monmouth Quad on Saturday, September 4.