Davidson College

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Led by senior Lance Harden and sophomore Ryan Hopkins, the Davidson men's cross country team will enter the 80th annual Southern Conference Cross Country Championships on Saturday with one of its strongest chances ever to capture the league crown. The 8000-meter race will begin at 10 a.m. on Elon's South Campus course.

Davidson is the top-ranked team in the conference, sitting 12th in the Southeast region according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Defending SoCon champs Appalachian State follow in 13th in the region, while Chattanooga ranks 14th in the South region.

Harden has led the 'Cats at each meet this season, twice leading Davidson to team titles. The Apex, N.C. native set a new Davidson 8K course record of 24 minutes, 43.42 seconds at the Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic, was twice named the Southern Conference's Runner of the Week and was named the Southern Conference Runner of the Month for September.

Hopkins has not been far behind Harden, placing second on the team to him in each of the previous four meets just 15 seconds or less. His top time of 24:50 also came at the Louisville meet.

The duo's career-best performances rank them third and fourth, respectively, in the conference this season. Senior Tom Divinnie also ranks among the top-10 in the conference. His time of 25:06 places him eighth this season. Divinnie was Davidson's third finisher in each of the three races he ran.

Seniors Thad Sieracki and Peter Bruton, as well as sophomore Ian Tupper, will likely compete to round out Davidson's top-five scoring group. Sieracki's time of 25:38 at Louisville ranks him 19th this season in the SoCon. Freshman Demetrios Pagonis and juniors Charlie Schmitt and Greg Marcil have also broken into the Wildcats' top-five this season. Senior Blake Evitt and freshmen Wes Reynolds and Vincent Weir are also slated to compete for the 'Cats.

The top men's and women's teams will be the 2009 Conference Champions, while the top-seven individuals in each race will be named First Team All-Conference. Individual finishers placing eighth through 14th in each race will comprise the Second Team All-Conference.

The Appalachian State men were the 2008 Southern Conference Cross Country Champions - the fourth year in a row for the ASU men's program. Davidson placed eighth as a team, led by Harden who placed 11th in 25:27.07.

The 'Cats placed one position ahead of ASU in their most recent outing. Davidson narrowly missed winning the team title at Appalachian's Blue Ridge Open by one point, but took second with 77 points. ASU was third with 83 points.

Elon is hosting the SoCon Championships for the first time. For more information, visit the SoCon Championship page.

Men's Cross Country Eyeing SoCon Championship