Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Cross Country Annouce Team Awards
12/18/2002 7:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Dec. 18, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell's men's and women's cross country announced team award winners for the 2002 season. Ten Bison members received honors voted by their coaches.
On the women's team, freshman Alison Cole (Waterville, Maine/Waterville) received Rookie of the Year for the Bison. She was the top freshman at four different meets, including an eight-place All-Conference finish at the Patriot League Championships despite falling and fracturing a wrist.
Senior tri-captain Nicki Piper (Mineral Point, Pa./Central Cambria) and sophomore Katherine Pfeifer (Catonsville, Md./Catonsville) received the Most Improved runner award. Piper averaged about a minute better effort per meet than last season. She improved from 30th at Patriot Leagues in 2001 to sixth in 2002. Pfeifer was awarded All-Conference Second Team based on her 13th place finish at Patriot League Championships. Without traveling last season, she improved approximately a two-minute better effort per meet from 2001. Pfeifer started as the team's number 10-12 runner and moved as high as fourth on the team.
Senior Nicole Lynn (Levittown, Pa./Neshaminy) was awarded the Coaches Award for the 2002 season. Lynn was a dedicated runner and never missed a morning run or a long Sunday training. She was also a candidate for the Most Improved runner, while making the travel team on a team that was very deep this season. Lynn really set a great example for the young members of the team.
Senior tri-captain Theresa Dennis (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Hanover Area) received the Most Valuable Runner award. Dennis was Bucknell's number one runner at all of the meets. She is a four-time All-League performer, three-time All-Regional runner and two-time NCAA qualifier. During the 2002 season, Dennis took fourth in the ECAC meet.
For the Bison men, Kevin Brown (Cranford, N.J./Canford) received Rookie of the Year award. Brown had an outstanding year making the transition to the 8k-10k training and racing. He ran in the Bison's top seven twice and was Bucknell's top freshman in four out of the eight meets.
Senior Jesse Graytock (Forest City, Pa./Forest City Regional) was awarded Most Improved. Graytock made an impressive showing with the team this season, making the travel squad and finishing varsity top seven for the NCAA Regional meet. He averaged 60-90 seconds better effort per meet compared to 2001.
Senior captain Bryan Johnston (Kane, Pa./Kane Area) was honored with the Most Valuable award. Johnston had a very consistent season and time showed improvement. Johnston was a quiet leader who led by example. He was a two-time All-Regional runner and a two-time All-Eastern runner for the Bison. Johnston won the 2002 Patriot League Championships and received All-League honors.
Seniors Eric Furst (Goshen, N.Y./Goshen Central) and Greg Costello (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon) received the Coaches Award. Furst was also a candidate for the Most Improved award as he averaged 30-45 seconds better effort per race. He was one of Bucknell's most consistent runners, who prepared himself for the upcoming season with a great summer of high mileage. Furst was a true team runner, and one who was always trying to figure out how the team could improve. Costello ran only two races this season due to an injury. He could have qualified for NCAA's again and easily placed in the top 75 runners. Costello's early season races were well ahead of last year's pace. His injury impacted the team in more ways than one, for the fact that Costello is a great vocal leader who leads by example.
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