Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Cross Country Team Prepare For The Course
9/4/2002 8:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Sept. 4, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell University men's cross country team is ready to challenge themselves on the course during the 2002 season. Head coaches and sports information directors ranked the Bison men to place second in the Patriot League Championship.
"The Patriot League championship is obviously our goal, as well as finishing high in the Mid-Atlantic Regional meet," mentioned head coach Kevin Donner. "Depending on how well we race at the Great American Classic and Pre-Nationals - we could be in position to qualify for the NCAA Championship as a team. Our tough schedule gives us the opportunity."
Fortunately for the Bison, 23 letterwinners return from last season's squad. Senior co-captain Greg Costello, an All-Patriot League performer last season, will be returning for the Orange and Blue. After crossing the finish line seventh at the 2001 Patriot League Championship, Costello also claimed an at-large bid into the NCAA Championship, where he finished 127th.
Senior co-captains Bryan 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.
"Our three captains all have great 'big meet' experience and will be tremendous leaders," stated Donner. "I look for all three to place very high in the Patriot League and the Mid-Atlantic Regionals."
There are many runners returning for the Bison who will also assist in the goal of capturing the Patriot League championship. Seniors Eric Furst and Matias Palavecino, juniors Marcus Jones, Nick Mousetis, and Wesley Reinhardt, and sophomores Travis Rivers and Daniel Lounsbury all will return to the course for Bucknell this fall.
Bucknell will start the season off at the nearby Penn State Spiked 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 Championship at West Point, N.Y., scheduled for Nov. 2. Following the Patriot League Championship, the Herd will run at the Mid-Atlantic Regional meet (Bethlehem, Pa.) and the ECAC Championship (Bronx, N.Y.).
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