FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo men’s cross country team was voted to finish sixth in the Peach Belt Conference standings, according to league coaches Sept. 6.

The Falcons were selected to finish sixth last season and went on to finish seventh at the Peach Belt Conference championship meet.

The 2011 squad is under the direction of new head coach Tommy Barksdale, who inherits a young squad with one season of experience under its belt. The Falcons improved each race in 2010 and will look to continue to improve in 2011.

Montevallo welcomes five new members to the squad in addition to junior Aaron Bush, a former Shelby County High School runner who had to sit out last season due to transfer requirements. Montevallo also returns its top runner from 2010 in sophomore Mark McDonald, who led the Falcons in every race last season.

Columbus State was picked to win its sixth-straight conference championship, while UNC-Pembroke came in second. Clayton State and Augusta State came in at third and fourth, while Georgia College finished in fifth. After Montevallo, Flagler came in seventh followed by Armstrong Atlantic and Francis Marion.

The Falcons open up their 2011 season this weekend at the Fleet Feet Sports/Earl Jacoby Memorial in Huntsville.