Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Scheduled to Host Patriot League Cross Country Championships
10/29/2004 8:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Oct. 29, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell men's and women's cross country teams are set to begin the championship portion of the season when they host the Patriot League Championships on Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Bucknell Golf Club. The women's six-kilometer race is first with the gun going off at 10 a.m., followed by the men's eight-kilometer competition at 11 a.m.
American came away with both the men's and women's team crowns for the second consecutive year at last fall's meet. Along with two team titles, the Eagles also went home with two individual titles with first place finishes from Keira Carlstrom and Pat MacAdie. Both Carlstrom and MacAdie are back for the 2004 championships looking to repeat the American sweep.
In the women's race, American scored 37 points, followed by Army with 57. The Bison women came in fourth overall last season behind a ninth place performance from then junior Katie Pfeifer.
This season's race is expected to be tight up front with several close finishes between Patriot League squads so far this season. Like last season, American has a solid team with several returning all-league performers. Army also has a strong team once again, edging rival Navy by just five points earlier this month. Prior to that, Navy nipped Bucknell by only two points at the Gulden Invitational at Bucknell. Navy also defeated American at the Mount Saint Mary's Duals in early September.
Bison sophomore Leanna Nastase has been the top Bucknell runner in all but one meet this season. Nastase's highest finish was a fifth place showing at the Gulden Invitational. The Bison women have been doing an excellent job of pack running thus far in the season, recording a 22 second split between first and fifth runners at the Penn State National Invitational. The Bison also have a pair of second team all-league selections returning in junior Kayla Halloran and sophomore Lauren Bricker.
On the men's side, American won the team title last season with 26 points. Navy followed in second with 50 points. Bucknell placed fourth in the team standings. The Eagles are looking strong once again coming off a team win at the Penn State National Invitational. American finished first out of 38 teams with three runners in the top 10 places.
Lehigh, Navy and Army have also run well this fall. Lehigh won the Gulden Invitational by a slim three points over Army, Army then fell to rival Navy at the Army vs. Navy meet. Lehigh also finished an impressive sixth at the Penn State.
Several Bison on the men's side of led the team from week to week. Senior Dan Lounsbury is the highest returning finisher from last season's fourth place team. Lounsbury finished first for the Bison at both the Detroit-Mercy Invitational and the Iona Meet of Champions. Senior Doug Creveling was the first Bison to cross the finish line at the Gulden Invitational and sophomore Matt Forys led the Bison at the Penn State National Invitational.
After the Patriot League meet, the Bison will head to State College, Pa., for the NCAA Mid-East Regional Championships on Saturday, Nov. 13.
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