CANTON -- The St. Lawrence University men's cross country team will open the 2011 season on September 3rd as the No. 3 team in the country, the highest ranking in program history.

The Saints finished an impressive 2010 season in Waverley, IA last fall by finishing in third place overall at the NCAA Championships. John Johnston and Steve Kiplagat earned All-America honors and return as seniors in 2011, while Seth Jackson was 46th at the NCAA Championships and will serve as a team captain alongside Johnston.

"John and Seth gained valuable experience throughout last season and I fully expect them to lean on that to make the 2011 year another successful one," said head coach John Newman. "They both have an exceptional work ethic and they've earned the highest respect of their teammates."

St. Lawrence finished with 258 points in the opening USTFCCCA poll behind only North Central (IL) and Calvin. Haverford and Washington (MO) rounded out the top-5.

The Scarlet and Brown were also tabbed as the team to beat in the Atlantic Region this fall, coming in atop the USTFCCCA Atlantic Region poll. Other Atlantic Region teams who landed in the top-30 in the national poll include Geneseo State (No. 8) and NYU (No. 11).

"It is certainly an honor to be considered amongst the top teams in the nation," added Coach Newman, whose team has won 17 consecutive conference titles heading into 2011. "We know it will take a tremendous effort to match or better last year's accomplishments, but this group is certainly up to the task and we're excited to begin the season."

The Saints will kick-off the 2011 season by hosting over 100 alumni on the Ronald C. Hoffmann Cross Country Course at the annual Alumni Race/Run for Ryan this Saturday, August 27 at 11:00am. The team will then head to Plattsburgh, NY for the Cardinal Classic on September 3rd to open the intercollegiate campaign.