August 18, 2010

Mercer Men Seventh in 2010 A-Sun Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University men’s cross country team was predicted to finish seventh in the Atlantic Sun Conference, according to the league’s 2010 preseason coaches’ poll.

The Bears finished seventh in the 2009 A-Sun championship meet.

Mercer returns eight letterwinners in all from last season’s team, led by sophomore Jacob Law (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham H.S.). Law restored order to the Bears’ squad – which had not had an all-conference finisher since 2002 – by placing 14^th at the A-Sun championships to earn second team All-A-Sun accolades. He was also named to the league’s All-Freshman Team and a member of the A-Sun’s All-Academic Team.

Marc Kushinka (Bonaire, Ga./Warner Robins H.S.) is the team’s lone senior and has been selected A-Sun All-Academic twice previously. Sophomore Chris Svidesskis (Marietta, Ga./Dominion Christian H.S.) ran the 12^th-best eight kilometer time in school history at last year’s Greater Louisville Sports Commission Invitational.

The Bears’ team also has several talented newcomers, including freshmen Kasib Abdullah (Warner Robins, Ga./Houston County H.S.) and Sony Prosper (Pompano Beach, Fla./Union Grove (Ga.) H.S.).

Defending A-Sun champ Kennesaw State was picked to defend its title in the 2010 coaches’ poll.

Mercer opens its season at the University of Georgia Invitational on September 4.

2010 Atlantic Sun Men’s Cross Country Preseason Poll

Rank School (First Place Votes) Votes

1. Kennesaw State (7) - 112

2. USC Upstate (1) - 100

3. East Tennessee State (2) - 96

4. Belmont (1) - 94

5. North Florida - 84

6. Lipscomb - 71

7. Mercer - 53

8. Florida Gulf Coast - 43