North Carolina State University Athletics
No. 22 Pack Picked First in EAGL Preseason Poll
1/7/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 7, 2013
DURHAM, N.H. - For the second consecutive season, No. 22 NC State gymnastics was picked to finish first in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) preseason polls. The Wolfpack received seven first place votes and 49 points to earn the top spot.
The eight head coaches in the league participated in the poll, but were not permitted to vote for their own team. All of the coaches picked NC State, with the exception of Wolfpack head coach Mark Stevenson who was not allowed to pick the Pack, which was the only factor that prevented State from being a unanimous selection.
"It's always nice to have your peers, other head coaches, choose you as what they perceive to be the top team in the conference," said Stevenson. "I know that there are several teams in our conference, like every year, that on any given day they can step up and win."
Maryland was selected to finish second in the league with 39 points, followed by New Hampshire in third with 35. North Carolina claimed the fourth spot with 34 points, while Pittsburgh (28) and George Washington (16) were fifth and sixth, respectively. Rounding out the league were Rutgers (12) at seventh and Towson (11) eighth.
NC State will be in search of its first EAGL crown since the 2009 season. The Wolfpack finished second in the league last year behind West Virginia, who is no longer a member of the league.
"We're excited about it, but the poll at the end of the year is more important," Stevenson said.
NC State returns to action in its home opener on Friday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. against the Maryland Terrapins in Reynolds Coliseum.
2013 EAGL Preseason Coaches Poll
| 1. | NC State (7) | 49 |
| 2. | Maryland (1) | 39 |
| 3. | New Hampshire | 35 |
| 4. | North Carolina | 34 |
| 5. | Pittsburgh | 28 |
| 6. | George Washington | 16 |
| 7. | Rutgers | 12 |
| 8. | Towson | 11 |
