OFFICIAL RELEASE

Somerset, NJ – Wagner College was predicted to finish in 10th place in the annual preseason Northeast Conference (NEC) indoor track and field poll that was released by the conference office yesterday. All 11 head coaches, who are not allowed to choose their own team or players, took part in the poll.

Monmouth University was picked first and collected eight first-place votes. The Hawks are in search of their fourth NEC team title under head coach Joe Compagni. The school's depth allowed for two consecutive second-place finishes despite going without a first or second place performance in any track event except for the 60-meter hurdles. Long Island University finished second in the poll, while Saint Francis (PA) ranked third with two first-place votes.

Wagner head coach Joe Stasi has a young core of distance runners with the potential to lift the Seahawks up a few slots in the team standings. Stasi also added some firepower on the track when he signed freshman Alan Kopeloff (Staten Island, NY/Farrell), who was the top high school hurdler on Staten Island in 2008.

The 2010 Northeast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships are slated for February 20 and 21 in Landover, Maryland. The Prince George's County Sports and Learning Center will serve as the meet's venue for the ninth year running.

2010 Northeast Conference Men's Indoor Track & Field Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Monmouth (8)
2. Long Island
3. Saint Francis (PA) (2)
4. Sacred Heart (1)
5. Central Connecticut State
6. Mount St. Mary's
7. Robert Morris
8. Bryant
9. Fairleigh Dickinson
10. Wagner
11. St. Francis (NY)

First place votes in parentheses ().