ROCK HILL, S.C. – The South Atlantic Conference (SAC) announced its 2023 men's cross country preseason poll results today (Aug. 17), with Newberry earning the No. 12 spot.

The Wolves return a pair of runners from last season in Braylon Reier and Tavarian Thompson. Reier won the race at the Livingstone Invitational a season ago as a freshman with a time of 29:18.70.

Reier and Thompson will be joined by seven newcomers, which includes six freshmen and a junior. Kevin Kipkosgei is the junior joining the fray, alongside freshmen Drew Benson, Hunter Heron, Jase Long, Tyler Shumate, Wyatt Strickland and Jonah Wendland.

Second-year Head Coach Scott Hutchinson indicated that he hopes to take the program in a new direction this season.

"To me, it's a new year, a new direction with our program," Coach Hutchinson said. "We have some talented upperclassmen back and with a group of talented freshmen in, our goal is to get better day by day and meet by meet!"

"Simply want both teams to grow together, bond well together, really come together at the end of the season when it matters the most and show people that both XC programs here at Newberry College are on the move in the right direction."

Newberry will aim to best its 12th place finish in last year's SAC championship meet as they begin the new season at the Charleston Southern Buccaneer Open on Friday, Sept. 1.