Aug. 21, 2007

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The La Salle men's and women's cross country teams have been tabbed to defend their A-10 crowns in voting conducted by the league's head coaches.

The women's program won its third consecutive title in 2006 as it turned aside runner-up Richmond, 26-81. La Salle's three straight A-10 Championships are the most in since Massachusetts claimed five consecutive titles from 1995-99. The Explorers are led by senior Rachel Papin, the lone three-time individual champion in Conference history and a two-time NCAA qualifier. 2006 runner-up Richmond has been picked second, while Charlotte, Duquesne and Xavier round out the top five.

On the men's side, La Salle has been selected to win its second consecutive A-10 crown and seventh in program annals. Last year, the Explorers downed 2005 champion Duquesne, 52-83. The Dukes were picked second, followed by Charlotte, Massachusetts and Richmond.

The 2007 Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championships will be held on Oct. 27 at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia, Pa.

Women's Cross Country Predicted Order Of Finish
(2006 A-10 Championship Finish In Parentheses)
1. La Salle (1st)
2. Richmond (2nd)
3. Charlotte (3rd)
4. Duquesne (5th)
5. Xavier (4th)
6. Saint Joseph's (7th)
7. Massachusetts (6th)
8. Rhode Island (11th)
9. Dayton (9th)
10. Saint Louis (8th)
11. Fordham (12th)
12. George Washington (10th)
13. Temple (13th)
14. St. Bonaventure (14th)

Men's Cross Country Predicted Order Of Finish
(2006 A-10 Championship Finish In Parentheses)
1. La Salle (1st)
2. Duquesne (2nd)
3. Charlotte (5th)
4. Massachusetts (3rd)
5. Richmond (4th)
6. Saint Joseph's (6th)
7. Dayton (8th)
8. Xavier (9th)
9. Fordham (7th)
10. George Washington (10th)
11. Saint Louis (12th)
12. Rhode Island (11th)
13. Temple (13th)
14. St. Bonaventure (14th)