The East Coast Conference has released the 2018 Preseason Poll and the St. Thomas Aquinas College Spartans have been chosen to finish 2nd. In the USTFCCCA East Region Preseason Poll, the Spartans landed at #9 for the 2018 season.  In 2017, the team finished 2nd in the conference and 16th in the East Region.  Sophomore Nick Martello is expected to be the lead runner for the Spartans.  He was named to the All-Conference 2nd team last season in his rookie year.  Junior Aiden Russell and sophomore Matt Tina will add support to Martello.  Russell, who was injured in 2017, is back at full strength while Tina has continued to develop and looks strong coming into the season.  Senior Ian Mirtile, a redshirt in 2017, has had a successful career ths far andshould add experience and strength to the Spartans.  There is a flurry of talent in the five other returners and five additions to the program.  They will compete for the scoring positions which will help the Spartans as the season goes on.  Head Coach Nicole Ryan, who is entering her 11th year at the helm of the program, is looking forward to getting started.  "I am looking forward to getting the men's team racing. This is one of the deepest rosters we have had in a long time.  They have the potential to be very successful."

2018 ECC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll

USTFCCCA PRESEASON POLL - EAST REGION -- MEN

RANK		TEAM CONFERENCE		2017 FINAL
1		STONEHILL Northeast-10		1
2		AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL Northeast-10		2
3		ROBERTS WESLEYAN ECC		4
4		SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT Northeast-10		13
5		SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE Northeast-10		6
6		ADELPHI Northeast-10		7
7		MERRIMACK Northeast-10		3
8		FRANKLIN PIERCE Northeast-10		5
9		ST. THOMAS AQUINAS ECC		16
10		BENTLEY Northeast-10		10