DURHAM, N.C. – The ACC released the Coaches’ Preseason ACC Predictions for the 2013 season Thursday afternoon, with Duke’s men’s cross country team receiving 124 points to earn a sixth-place ranking in the 14-team conference.
New to the conference, Syracuse received ten first-place votes to clinch the top-ranking in the preseason poll. Virginia earned two first-place votes and 163 total points for a second-place ranking and Florida State rounded out the top-three, receiving the final two first place votes and 159 total points. After capturing the ACC championship just a year ago, the Virginia Tech Hokies fell to No. 7 in the preseason ranking, ahead of North Carolina, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Boston College, Pittsburgh and Miami. N.C. State and newly inducted member of the ACC Notre Dame filled fourth-place and fifth-place respectively in the preseason poll.
The Blue Devils finished fifth in last season’s ACC Championship meet in Blacksburg, Va., placing three runners in the top 25, and five runners in the top 35. Duke loses two members of last year’s team in James Kostelnik and Joey Elsakr; however a multitude of highly-touted incoming freshmen will be introduced to the squad this season, including Stephen Shine and Aaron Liberatore.
The 2013 ACC Championship meet is slated for Kernersville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 1.
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2013 Men’s Cross Country Pre-Season Poll
1-Syracuse (10) 1912-Virginia (2) 163
3-Florida State (2) 159
4-NC State 156
5-Notre Dame 150
6-Duke 124
7-Virgnia Tech 118
8-North Carolina 95
9-Wake Forest 81
10-Georgia Tech 60
11-Clemson 59
12-Boston College 49
13-Pittsburgh 31
14-Miami 20
