From the PBC
AUGUSTA, GA – Three-time defending PBC champion Augusta University has been selected as the 2022 preseason men's cross country favorite in a poll of the league's head coaches released on Tuesday.
The Jaguars received eight of a possible 10 first-place votes and had 80 total points in the poll, six ahead of second-place Flagler who finished with 74. Georgia College was third in the voting with Columbus State fourth and Young Harris fifth.
Clayton State and PBC newcomer USC Beaufort were tied for sixth with Lander, USC Aiken and Georgia Southwestern rounded out the voting.
Augusta won their third straight PBC Championship in 2021, becoming the first team to do so since Columbus State finished a run of five straight in 2010. The 2022 Jaguars return several members of last year's team, including PBC Individual Champion Kai Brickey for his senior season. Brickey, who also ran in the NCAA National Championships last season, will be vying for his fourth All-Conference honor this year. Also back is senior Hans Troyer who finished second at the PBC last year and who will also be trying for a fourth All-Conference campaign. Augusta will have to contend with the departure of head coach Adam Ward.
Flagler finished in second place at the 2021 PBC Championships, their third runner-up result in a row. The 2022 Saints return their top five runners from last season with Christian Fernandez, Jon Eide, Asad Bashir, Joel Nesi and Ethan Tank all named All-Conference last season.
Georgia College finished in third place at the 2021 PBC meet, their best result since 2017. New head coach John Green will welcome back sophomore Sam Hulsey, who was named All-Conference in 2021. Also returning are sophomores Philip Bulatao and Caiden Curtis.
The coaches poll is below with first-place votes in parentheses. Coaches were not permitted to rank their own teams.
2022 Peach Belt Men's Cross Country
Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1. |
Augusta (8) |
80 |
| 2. |
Flagler (2) |
74 |
| 3. |
Georgia College |
62 |
| 4. |
Columbus State |
60 |
| 5. |
Young Harris |
44 |
| t6. |
Clayton State |
31 |
| t6. |
USC Beaufort |
31 |
| 8. |
Lander |
28 |
| 9. |
USC Aiken |
21 |
| 10. |
Georgia Southwestern |
19 |
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