Aug.28, 2007

2007 Cross Country Webguide
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Center Valley, Pa. - In a vote by the Patriot League's cross country coaches and sports information directors, American was selected first in the 2007 Patriot League Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll and Bucknell was picked for the top spot in the Patriot League Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll. Coaches and sports information directors were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

The Eagles garnered 97 points and 13 first-place votes to claim the top spot on the Men's side. Navy placed second with 86 points and the remaining three first-place votes. Army and Bucknell (67 points) tied for third position in the poll, followed by Lehigh (51), Colgate (34), Lafayette (30) and Holy Cross (16).

Bucknell captured 96 points and 13 first-place votes to land in the No. 1 position in the Women's poll. Navy also grabbed second place in the Women's poll, with 73 points and two first-place votes. Colgate (69 points) and Lehigh (65, one first-place vote) followed close behind in third and fourth place, respectively. Rounding out the poll were Army (57), American (40), Lafayette (34) and Holy Cross (14).

American won its fifth consecutive Men's Cross Country title a year ago and advanced to the NCAA Championship for the third year in a row, where they have finished in the top 30 on all three occasions under Head Coach Matt Centrowitz. Senior Brendan Fennell returns to lead the way after winning the Patriot League Championship and finishing 63rd in the NCAA Championship a year ago.

Navy took second place in the poll after finishing in that position in last year's Patriot League Championship. Bucknell placed third in last year's Championship, with Army coming in fourth. The Bison and Black Knights both have six Patriot League Championships to their name, and are the only programs other than American to win a Men's crown. Lehigh, Colgate, Lafayette and Holy Cross were picked to finish in the same order that they placed in the 2006 Championship.

Bucknell was selected to win the Women's crown after capturing its second consecutive and sixth overall title in 2006, with all six crowns coming in the last nine seasons. Led by Head Coach Kevin Donner, the Bison ran away with last year's crown by more than 50 points over second-place Navy.

The Midshipmen were followed closely by Colgate and Lehigh in last year's Championship, and they begin the 2007 campaign in the same order in the preseason poll. Army has captured five Patriot League titles, while Lehigh has one to its credit. Army, American, Lafayette and Holy Cross enter the 2007 season picked to finish in the same position as they did at the 2006 Patriot League Championship.

Patriot League teams open the season on August 31, with seven of the eight schools in action on the first weekend. The Patriot League Championship will take place on October 27 at Lafayette.

For more information on Patriot League Cross Country refer to the 2007 Patriot League Cross Country Webguide.

2007 Patriot League Men's Cross Country Poll

2007 Patriot League Women's Cross Country Poll