Aug. 22, 2006

CINCINNATI -- The Xavier University men's cross country team was picked to finish seventh while the Xavier University women's team was voted to the No. 6 spot in a vote conducted by the Atlantic 10 coaches as announced by the A-10 Conference on Tuesday. In the same vote La Salle was slated to win both the men's and women's conference titles.

The 2006 Xavier women's squad includes 13 returning runners from the 2005 team which finished a school-best 18th place finish at the NCAA Regional. Xavier men's team is also returning 13 runners, including standout Luke Beuerlein who led the Musketeers in all but two meets last season.

On the men's side, Duquesne was picked to finish second while on the women's side, Richmond was slated as the runner-up.

Rounding out the A-10 vote for the women was Charlotte in third followed by Rhode Island and Duquesne. Saint Joseph's was in seventh with Massachusetts in eighth and Dayton and Fordham filling in the nine and ten spots, respectively. George Washington, Saint Louis, Temple and St. Bonaventure finished out the poll.

Charlotte also claimed the number three spot for the men followed by Saint Joseph's, Massachusetts, and Richmond. Dayton, Fordham and George Washington claimed spots eight, nine and ten while Saint Louis and Rhode Island round out the poll on the men's side.

The 2006 Atlantic 10 Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships will be held on October 28 at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, Pa.