Men Picked Third, Women Seventh In C-USA Polls

DALLAS - The North Texas men's cross country team, the 2018 Conference USA champions, are picked to finish third in the 2019 C-USA Preseason Poll, while the Mean Green women are expected to finish seventh, the league office announced Wednesday.

The UNT men return four all-conference runners including a trio of first-team selections in Florian Lussy, Jack Beaumont and Tim Jones along with second-team honoree Alec Esposito.

"As returning champions, the goal is always to defend the title," head coach Kevin Williams said. "That task is going to be extremely difficult this year as the conference is going to be very deep. Middle Tennessee returns a very talented team with multiple All-Americans. Charlotte, Rice and UTEP all had great springs on the track and are going to be tough as well."

Middle Tennessee was chosen first in the poll with seven first place ballots. Charlotte was second with two top votes, and UNT had a pair of first-place nods. Rice was picked behind UNT, followed by UTEP, UTSA, Marshall, Louisiana Tech, WKU, Florida Atlantic and FIU.

Lussy paced North Texas last season and qualified for the NCAA Championships where he clocked the fastest time recorded at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in program history as he finished the 10k in 31:02.8. Lussy was the top UNT finisher at the Ken Garland Invite, Chile Pepper Invite, Arturo Barrios Invite, and the C-USA Championships as well as the South Central Regional.

"Florian had a great summer, and we are expecting a big year from him. He is a great leader and will help shape this young team moving forward," Williams said.

"Jack Beaumont and Alex Cleveland have both had outstanding summers of training so I think they can make a big impact for us up front as well."

The Mean Green women have reloaded in 2019 by adding 10 student-athletes to the roster.

"It will be important to find our identity early in the year," Williams said. "Gwyneth Garcia is a transfer that will play a big role, and Amaris Chavez is a great recruit for us and will be a big contributor."

Aubrey Schmidt, the high finisher at the C-USA Championships in 2018, returns for North Texas.

"Aubrey is looking to have a big break out season this season. She had a lot to adjust to last year and made huge improvements by the time outdoor track rolled around. She has worked really hard this summer, and I know she is hungry to compete this fall," Williams said.

In the league poll, UTEP was picked first with five first place votes. Rice was second with three top picks and MTSU third with four first place ballots. Southern Miss was slated fourth and Charlotte next with a lone top vote, followed by UAB, UNT, FIU, UTSA, Florida Atlantic, Marshall, WKU and LA Tech.

"We had a great year in recruiting, and there are 17 newcomers between the men and women this fall. With so many new faces I am going to rely on my returners to set the tone and lead by example," Williams said.

The Mean Green open the season by hosting the annual Ken Garland Invitational Sept. 7 at Discovery Park.

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Players Mentioned

Jack Beaumont

Alex Cleveland

Alec Esposito

Tim Jones

Florian Lussy

Aubrey Schmidt

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University of North Texas Athletics