Aug. 29, 2008
2008 Patriot League Cross Country Webguide
Center Valley, Pa. - Navy was chosen to win both the 2008 Patriot League Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships in a preseason vote by head coaches and sports information directors. The Navy men received 94 overall points and 10 first-place votes, while 2007 Patriot League Women's Cross Country Co-Champion Navy also garnered 94 overall points with 12 first-place votes. Coaches and sports information directors cannot vote for their own teams.
On the men's side, six-time defending Patriot League champion American received 84 overall points and four first-place votes, good for second in the poll. Army was selected to finish third with 72 overall points and two first-place votes. Bucknell received 66 overall points and was selected to finish fourth, while Lehigh (49) and Colgate (40) were voted to finish fifth and sixth, respectively. Lafayette received 26 overall points and a seventh-place selection. Holy Cross rounds out the poll with 16 overall points.
Bucknell, the 2007 Patriot League Women's Cross Country Co-Champion, received 88 points and the other four first-place votes, placing them second in the preseason poll. Colgate grabbed a third-place selection with 71 overall points. Army was voted to finish fourth with 58 overall points, followed by Lehigh (46), American (42), Holy Cross (26) and Lafayette (19).
Navy, which finished just one point behind American in the 2007 Patriot League Men's Championship, returns 2007 Patriot League Rookie of the Year Andrew Hanko this season. American hopes to continue its winning ways despite the departure of Patriot League Championship Most Outstanding Performer and NCAA Championship qualifier Brendan Fennell, as well as another NCAA Championship qualifier, Steve Hallinan.
Army finished third in the poll after finishing in that position in last season's championship. Bucknell finished fourth in both last year's championship and the poll. The Bison and the Black Knights both have six Patriot League Men's Championships to their names, and are the only programs other than American to win a title.
Navy was selected to win the women's championship after sharing the title last season with Bucknell. Led by 2007 Patriot League Coach of the Year Karen Boyle, the Mids return nine letterwinners from the 2007 team and are welcoming 11 newcomers this season.
With seven women's titles to their name, the Bison were selected to finish just behind Navy in this season's poll. Colgate returns the 2007 Patriot League Championship Most Outstanding Performer and Rookie of the Year Stacey Marion, who crossed the finish line first in last year's championship. Army is predicted to finish fourth and has five Patriot League titles under its belt, while Lehigh has one to its credit.
Patriot League teams open the season Friday, with all eight schools competing this weekend. The Patriot League Championship will take place November 1 at Lehigh.
For more information on Patriot League Cross Country, refer to the
2008 Patriot League Cross Country Webguide.
2008 Patriot League Men's Cross Country Poll
| Rank | Team | Points (First-Place Votes) | 2007 Championship Finish |
| 1. | Navy | 94 (10) | 2 |
| 2. | American | 84 (4) | 1 |
| 3. | Army | 72 (2) | 3 |
| 4. | Bucknell | 66 | 4 |
| 5. | Lehigh | 49 | 5 |
| 6. | Colgate | 40 | 6 |
| 7. | Lafayette | 26 | 7 |
| 8. | Holy Cross | 16 | 8 |
2008 Patriot League Women's Cross Country Poll
| Rank | Team | Points (First-Place Votes) | 2007 Championship Finish |
| 1. | Navy | 94 (12) | 1 |
| 2. | Bucknell | 88 (4) | 1 |
| 3. | Colgate | 71 | 3 |
| 4. | Army | 58 | 5 |
| 5. | Lehigh | 46 | 6 |
| 6. | American | 42 | 4 |
| 7. | Holy Cross | 26 | 7 |
| 8. | Lafayette | 19 | 8 |
