NO. ATTLEBORO, Mass.. – The Southern New Hampshire University men's cross country team has been predicted to finish fifth this season.  The preseason poll, released Tuesday, has the Penmen with 51 points by a vote of the Northeast 10 men's cross country coaches.  

Three-time defending champ Southern Connecticut State University (80) received every possible first place vote (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams), and were selected ahead of Bentley University (70), Assumption University (64), Franklin Pierce (53) and SNHU (51).  Rounding out the poll, Adelphi University (45) was picked sixth, ahead of Saint Anselm College (42), Saint Michael's College (33), and American International College (19).

New Head Cross Country Coach Kelly Vincent and Director of Track/Cross Country Lex Butler have a roster of nine runners, including three freshman.  Senior Dillon Labonte (Lee, N.H.) qualified for the NCAA Division II Championship last season and returns this fall.  Junior Eric Sekyaya (Burlington, Mass.) has earned All-Region honors each of the past two seasons, and graduate student Carter Sylvester (Northwood, N.H.) also has been a two-time All-Region performer for the Penmen.

The Penmen will open the 2025 season at the Shacklette Invitational at Saint Anselm on Saturday, September 6 (11:00 a.m.) and the NE10 Cross Country Championships are also scheduled to be held at Saint Anselm on November 10.  

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