Men picked fifth in NEC preseason poll
SOMERSET, N.J. – The Northeast Conference released the results of the 2021 preseason coaches poll, and the Bryant University men's cross country team was tabbed fifth, as announced Friday by the conference office.
The Bulldogs were picked fifth for the second year in a row as they trail behind the defending NEC Champs Wagner with six first-place votes, followed by Central Connecticut with two votes, Mount St. Mary's with one, and Merrimack who rounds out the top four. Sacred Heart, LIU, and St. Francis Brooklyn complete the eight-team poll following Bryant.
Last season the Bryant men finished sixth overall at the NEC Championship led by senior Jordan Dagrin. Dagrin crossed the finish line in the 23rd spot followed by Jonathan Iamarone in 29th and Jason Dolan and Evan Coyne as 31 and 32. Iamarone and Coyne each earned a spot on the NEC All-Rookie squad for being among the top rookie finishers at the NEC Championship meet. The duo finished fifth and sixth among the NEC freshmen.
Bryant kicks the short 2021 season off in Smithfield when they compete against both Merrimack and Sacred Heart on Feb. 13. The meet will prepare the teams for the NEC Championship which is also set to take place on the Bryant campus on Feb. 28.
The Northeast Conference women's cross country preseason poll will be announced on Monday, Feb. 8.
Follow the Bryant cross country and track & field teams on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for updates on the season and an inside look at the program.
Men's Cross Country
1. Wagner (6)
2. CCSU (2)
3. Mount St. Mary's (1)
4. Merrimack
5. Bryant
6. Sacred Heart
7. LIU
8. St. Francis Brooklyn