By Tim Glon

ADA — The Ohio Northern men’s cross country team is ranked No. 10 nationally in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association preseason poll.

The Polar Bears were ranked No. 10 in the final 2007 poll, then finished 17th at the NCAA III Championships last fall.

ADA - Ryan New has been named head coach for both the Cross Country and Track & Field programs at Ohio Northern.

New comes to Northern after spending the past three years as an assistant coach at Centre (Ky.) and running for the program from 2001-2004.

The 2004 graduate earned his dual degree in classical studies and history from Centre.

New was a sprinter for the Colonels, competing in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter dashes as well as the 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relays.

ADA — The Ohio Northern men's cross country team will open its 2008 schedule Sept.6 at the Hanover (Ind.) Invitational.
Hanover will also host a Pre-National meet on Oct. 4 and will host the NCAA III Championships on Nov. 22.

Ohio Northern has qualified for the last two NCAA Championships meets and looks to make a third consecutive appearance this year.

The Polar Bears will also travel to Calvin (Mich.), the University of Minnesota and Oberlin and will run in the annual All-Ohio Championships at Ohio Wesleyan.