[Chris Nickinson]

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SEC Coaches Vote Arkansas Men, Florida Women in Cross Country
Updated 8/25/2011

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Southeastern Conference on Thursday released its 2011 Cross Country Preseason poll with the league’s head coaches selecting the University of Arkansas men and the Universitty of Florida women to win the league titles. The Razorbacks captured eight first-place votes for a total of 12 points on the men’s side, while the Gators earned six first-place votes in a close race on the women’s side.

Arkansas is the defending SEC Champion in men’s cross country and won 17 consecutive league crowns in the sport from 1991-2007. The Razorbacks snapped Alabama’s back-to-back title streak in 2010 after the Crimson Tide had won in 2008 and 2009. Alabama claimed three first-place votes on the men’s side, following in second place with 20 points. Florida was third with 29 points, Georgia fourth with 34 and Tennessee rounded out the top five with 52 points.

Florida has won back-to-back SEC cross country titles on the women’s side and earned 17 total points for the top spot. The Gators have won five titles in the history of their program (1984, 1996, 1997, 2009 and 2010). Arkansas was a close second with 18 total points and five first-place tallies, while Vanderbilt was third with 30 total points. Georgia (41 points) and Mississippi State (58 points) rounded out the top-five of the women’s poll.

Points for the men's poll were awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 basis while the women's poll was awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 basis.

The 2011 SEC Cross Country Championships, hosted by the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., will be held Oct. 31.              

2011 SEC Cross Country Coaches' Poll
(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)

SEC Champion

Men: Arkansas (8), Alabama (3)
Women: Florida (6), Arkansas (5), Vanderbilt (1)

MEN
1. Arkansas (8)                   12
2. Alabama (3)                    20
3. Florida                              29
4. Georgia                           34
5. Tennessee                     52
6. Mississippi State          60
7. Kentucky                         65
8. Ole Miss                         70
9. Auburn                            75
10. LSU                               91
11. Vanderbilt                    97

WOMEN
1. Florida (6)                       17
2. Arkansas (5)                  18
3. Vanderbilt (1)                  30
4. Georgia                           41
5. Mississippi State           58
6. Alabama                          66
7. Kentucky                          76
8. Ole Miss                          87
9. Tennessee                     88
10. Auburn                           95
11. South Carolina           103
12. LSU                              113