Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Cross Country Team Ranked Second in the Patriot League
8/30/2002 8:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Aug. 30, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell's men's cross country team acquired four first-place nods en route to 63 tallies to finish a close second in the preseason balloting. The Patriot League's head coaches and sports information directors vote on the season outcome before the season begins.
Army, which preceded Bucknell, snatched only three points more than the Bison to be ranked first for the upcoming season. American, completing the previous season in third, has been placed at the same status for the 2002 campaign. Colgate and Lehigh ended with a tie for fourth with 36 points.
"The polls seem accurate with Army, American and Bucknell receiving most of the votes," head coach Kevin Donner adds. "All three teams have a chance to win the Patriot League Championship based on the returning runners. It will be a very exciting race."
The Bison return to the footpath with 23 returning letterwinners. Senior co-captain Greg Costello, an All- Patriot League performer last season, will be returning for the Herd. After crossing the finish line seventh in 2001, Costello also claimed an at-large bid into the NCAA Championship, where he finished 127th. Senior co-captains Brian Johnston and Lou Palma will also add to the competition throughout the season. Johnston was the Bison's top finisher in the Patriot League championship, crossing the line for a fifth place finish, while Palma came home in 20th position. Donner and the staff added nine new freshmen to the men's roster to complete an overall competitive squad.
Bucknell will start the season off at the near by Penn State Spike Shoe Invitational. The Bison then challenge themselves through several invitational meets early in the season, before hosting the Gulden Invitational on Oct. 5. In mid-October Bucknell will get a taste of the national competition at the Pre-NCAA meet at Indiana State. The Bison will see one more meet before proceeding to the Patriot League Competition at West Point, N.Y., scheduled for Nov. 2. Following the Patriot League Championship, the Herd will have a chance to see time at the Mid-Atlantic Regional meet (Bethlehem, Pa) and the IC4A Championship (Bronx, N.Y.).
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