Cascade Conference pre-season polls released

August 13, 2007

For the first time in program history, the women's cross country team has the proverbial target on its back as it has been selected as the pre-season favorite following last season's regular season title and trip to the NAIA Championships.

LA GRANDE, Ore. - The 2007 Cascade Collegiate Conference fall pre-season polls were released today with Corban's women's cross country team picked as the squad to beat thanks to eight first place votes. Meanwhile, the other four teams were picked to finish in the top seven respectively.

For the first time ever, the Warriors' women's cross country team is slated as the pre-season favorite thanks to 116 total points. Last season, Corban earned its first-ever regular season title and was selected to compete in the NAIA Championships. Fifth-year head coach Norm Berney returns five-out-of-six runners that competed in the national championship event last season led by all-conference members Danielle Jordan (Medford, Ore.) and Carli Moller (Vancouver, Wash.).

On the men's side, Corban's cross country program is picked fifth, as the top four teams received at least one first place vote from the conference coaches. Led by juniors Jason Bernard (Salem, Ore.) and Ben Snell (Spray, Ore.), the Warriors return eight runners from last year's team that finished fourth at the conference championships.

In soccer, both the Warrior men's and women's team are picked to finish in the top four. Led by second-year head coach Dave Irby, the men's team is coming off its first appearance at the NAIA Region I Tournament in eight years and is slated third among the eight conference schools behind fellow Region I Tournament participants Concordia and Albertson. All-conference members Caleb Louvier (SeaTac, Wash.) and Joshua Crain (Olympia, Wash.), who are both back for one final season donning the navy and gold, will attempt to lead this season's squad to another post-season tournament berth.

On the women's side, twelfth-year head coach Marty Ziesemer and the Warriors are picked to finish fourth following last season's conference post-season tournament appearance. Led by all-conference senior Megan Waunch (Tumwater, Wash.), Corban looks to continue its streak of 11-straight post-season appearances and advance to the NAIA Region I Tournament this season.

The women's volleyball team under the tutelage of first-year head coach Heather Dunn is picked to finish seventh led by juniors Jessica McGraw (Gaston, Ore.) and Chelsea Reeher (Powell Butte, Ore.). Along with six returnees, Dunn added seven new faces led by junior college transfers Rashelle Davenport (Kalama, Wash.) and Margo Wyatt (Dufur, Ore.), as well as incoming freshman Teri Braun (Dallas, Ore.) and Kristen Eiler (Salem, Ore.).

The men's soccer team kicks off the 2007 season when the Warriors host fellow NAIA Region I member Great Falls (MT) on Tuesday, August 21st, beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Warrior Field.