Women's XC picked fourth in NEC

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's cross country team was selected to place fourth in the Northeast Conference in a preseason poll of the league's head coaches, as announced Friday by the NEC.

Sacred Heart received eight of a possible 10 first-place votes as it looks to defend its league title from a year ago. Central Connecticut received the other two first-place votes, while Saint Francis U was picked third.

The Black and Gold finished fourth at last year's championships behind an All-NEC performance from Melissa Lodge. Bryant returns a top-20 finisher in Jacklyn Sullivan (Plymouth, Mass.).

Bryant begins the 2018 cross country season Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Nassaney Invitational on the Bryant campus. It will be the first of two meets in Smithfield this fall, as the Bulldogs will host the Northeast Conference Championships Saturday, Oct. 27.

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