Sept. 2, 2009

2009 Men's and Women's Cross Country Webguide

Center Valley, Pa. -- The Navy men's and women's cross country teams have been selected to finish first in their respective 2009 Patriot League Preseason Polls.

The Navy women's squad, which won the title outright last season, earned 97 points in the preseason poll, including 13 first-place votes. Bucknell garnered the other three first-place votes and 87 points to finish second in the poll. Lehigh was picked to finish third with 67 points, followed by Army (58) and Colgate (41). Holy Cross (40), American (38) and Lafayette (18) round out the eight teams in the poll.

On the men's side, Navy took the top spot with 95 points and 11 first-place votes. Army picked up the other five first-place votes and 89 points to finish second. Navy and Army tied for first place last season. American (69), Lehigh (61) and Bucknell (55) followed in third, fourth and fifth place, respectively. Holy Cross and Colgate tied for sixth with 31 points, while Lafayette was picked eighth with 15 points.

The men's and women's cross country polls are voted on by the League's cross country coaches and sports information directors.

Women's Capsules

Navy   The Navy women's team's performance at the League Championship was dominant, and with seven of eight top-15 runners returning, the Midshipmen are prepared to win their third straight title. The individual League champion, Amy Watson, who placed 153rd at the NCAA Championship, returns for her senior season. She was one of four First-Team All-League runners for Navy as junior Katie Rentz finished third, sophomore Marina McGrial placed fourth and sophomore Jess Palacio was fifth. Second-Team All-League runners Lexa Gass (ninth) and Anna Bernal (14th) also return, with 15th-place finisher sophomore Kristine Mun. Junior Bethany Rahall (26th), senior Erica Ziel (29th) and senior Jenny Rubin (36th) will provide depth for the experienced Midshipmen.

Bucknell   The Bucknell women's team's top four runners in the 2008 Patriot League Championship had a combined two years of collegiate experience. In 2009, the two juniors and two sophomores will look to lead Bucknell past its runner-up finish last season. Sophomore Stephanie Fulmer led the Bison last season, finishing second at the League Championship (21:28.7). Sophomore Caitlin Cavanaugh earned Second-Team All-League honors, finishing 12th (21:59.2). Juniors Sarah Moniz and Alexa Griffiths, who finished 16th and 17th, respectively, also will look to help the Bison reach their eighth League title in school history.

Lehigh   After a third-place finish at the 2008 Championship, the Lehigh women return four of their five top runners from 2008. That one loss was their top runner, though, as Shannon Alejandro was named First-Team All-League with her fifth-place finish at the Championship. Looking to take her place is Second-Team All-League junior Alexis Weiner, who finished 10th and 18 seconds behind Alejandro. Sophomore Katherine Pierce, who finished 24th, sophomore Megan Hetzel (32nd) and junior Andrea Mascaro (35th) also return for Lehigh.

Army   The Army women's team returns several experienced runners for 2009 after finishing fourth last season at the Patriot League Championship. Chelsea Prahl led the Black Knights with her First-Team All-League performance of 21:45.6 at the League Championship. She finished seventh and was one of five freshmen to finish in the top 10. Also returning for Army is senior Ashley Morgan, a 2008 Second-Team All-League runner who finished 13th at the Patriot League Championship last season, and senior Stephanie Schoeneman, who was Second-Team All-League in 2007. Junior Christina Rath was a top-five scorer for Army in three races last season.

Colgate   The Colgate women will enter the 2009 season with five runners who placed in the top 60 at the League Championship last season and a former Patriot League Champion. Junior Stacey Marion, who became the first freshman in League history to win the individual title in 2007, will make her return after missing the 2008 Championship because of an injury. The Raiders top finisher was junior Julianne Tarallo, who placed 21st (22:16.7). The next four returners, seniors Susan Fortkiewicz and Jennifer Bradley, junior Hilary Hooley and sophomore Kelly Cattano, all finished between 52nd and 58th place.

Holy Cross   Jim Kavanagh enters his 38th season at Holy Cross with two sophomore runners on the women's team looking to improve on their impressive first collegiate season. Paige Sutherland and Elizabeth Humphries finished 25th and 33rd, respectively, at the League Championship last season, leading the Crusaders to a sixth-place finish. Juniors Margaret Molloy and Sarah Mellea and sophomore Jacqueline Imse also return after finishing 54th, 55th and 56th at the League Championship.

American   The American women's team will be led by sophomore Octavia Rinehardt and senior Greta Wicklund who both finished in the top 20 at the League Championship. Rinehardt placed eighth, earning Second-Team All-League status as a freshman, while Wicklund placed 19th. Senior Rachel Forcino (39th), sophomore Lauren Scholl (59th), junior Melissa Tabas (68th), sophomore Caitlin Prichard (80th) and sophomore Haleigh Duggan (85) also return for the Eagles.

Lafayette   The Lafayette women return two top-40 finishers at the League Championship and will look to improve from their eight-place finish last season. Senior Rose Kennedy will lead the squad after finishing 28th at the Championship in 2008. Sophomore Erika Stasakova placed 37th in her first League Championship. Senior Kerry Taylor, juniors Lauren Holck and Tracey Kelly and sophomore Lauren Kelly also return for Lafayette.

2009 Patriot League Women's Preseason Poll

Men's Capsules

Navy   The Navy men's team tied for first in 2008, and the Midshipmen will look to take home their second League title with two All-League runners returning, including junior Andrew Hanko who finished second overall behind graduate Jon Anderson, of Army. Junior Matt Devillers placed eighth in the meet. Hanko and Devillers were the only two sophomores among seven seniors and a junior in the top 10. A trio of sophomores, Jeremy Haney, Dominic Della Pelle and Ken Bunnell, who finished 21st, 22nd and 23rd, respectively, also return. Junior Joseph Lisano, who placed 43rd, sophomore Cody Rome (51st) and Chris Horel (66th) will provide depth for Navy.

Army   The Army men's team graduated its top two runners, but there are plenty of runners ready to step up and take the place of Patriot League Champion Jon Anderson and First-Team All-League runner Andrew Catalano. Coming off its seventh League title in 19 seasons, Army returns two of its four All-League performers from last season. Stepping into the limelight will be Second-Team All-League seniors Zac Reiter, who finished 10th last season (25:17.5), and Kirk Chitwood, who placed 14th (25:22.2). Also returning for Army is junior Torre Alexis, who just missed an All-League performance, finishing 16th (25:25.4). Junior Bryce Livingston (19th) and senior Greg Griffith (26th) also return.

American   After six straight League titles, the American men's team finished fourth last season, but with two of three top-15 finishers returning, the Eagles will look to pick up their seventh title in school history. Juniors Jeff Brannigan and Nick Ryan, who placed 11th and 13th, respectively, at the League Championship last season, will lead the Eagles this season. Junior Conor Sullivan (27th), sophomore Josh Olsen (31st), sophomore Craig Brown (40th) and sophomore Colin Eustis (46th) also return for the Eagles.

Lehigh   With First-Team All-League runners Jon Wetzel and Ben Lampi graduating after leading Lehigh to a third-place finish in 2008, the Mountain Hawks will look to regroup with Second-Team All-League junior Evans Kosgei at the forefront. Kosgei finished 12th at the League Championship, while senior Kenny Burgess (33rd), junior Steve Sample (45th), junior Andrew Jervis (57th) and senior Matt Tedrick (64th) also return.

Bucknell   The Bucknell men's team placed three student-athletes in the top 25 at the Patriot League Championship and the Bison will welcome back all three for their senior seasons. Conor McNamara and Andrew Heubner finished 15th and 17th, respectively, while teammate Baron Willeford placed 25th. Junior Josh Clark, who placed 37th, also returns. The Bison will look to improve from their fifth-place finish in 2008 and contend for their seventh title in school history.

Holy Cross   The Holy Cross Crusaders' top runner, Bradley Mish, graduated, but they have two seniors looking to step up and take his place. Kyle Rougeot and Timothy Richard finished 28th and 33rd, respectively, at the League Championship last season and will look to lead a young group of runners who helped Holy Cross finish sixth last season. Other key returners include juniors Chris Bergan and Garrett Huddy, and sophomores Cory Loftis, John Henrich, Daniel Altenau, Alexander Dobens and Stephen Madsen.

Colgate   Art McKinnon returns for his 22nd season as the head coach at Colgate, which will look to improve on its seventh-place finish in 2008. The Raiders will have junior Lyle Tolli, a Second-Team All-League runner as a freshman, and sophomore Ed Sheridan, who placed 20th at the League Championship last season. Another sophomore coming off of a successful freshman campaign is Griffith Cannon, who finished 29th at the League Championship. Sophomore John Stauffer, who was a top-five runner in the majority of Colgate's meets last season, will look to continue that success this season.

Lafayette   The Lafayette men's team finished eighth at the League Championship in 2008 without having a runner finish in the top 50. The good news is all of the Leopards' seven finishers are returning for 2009. Junior Ryan Stasiowski led the group finishing 52nd. Sophomores Matt Keehn, Scott Tibetts and Josh Sadlock all gained experience in their first season, as did seniors Matt Deblander and Sean Casey, and junior Colin McCullough.

2009 Patriot League Men's Preseason Poll