Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Cross Country to Dual with Duquesne
9/18/2009 8:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 18, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Two weeks after winning their season-opening meet, the Bucknell men's and women's cross country teams will be back on the course at Duquesne on Saturday, Sept. 19. The dual meet at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, Pa., is slated for a 9 a.m. start.
Both Bison teams saw their names listed among the top teams on the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) preseason poll on Monday. The Bison women were picked ninth in the Mid-Atlantic Region, two spots behind Patriot League foe Navy and three spots ahead of Lehigh. The Bison men were selected 12th in the region trailing No. 9 Lehigh and No. 10 Navy in the league.
Bucknell will face a pair of teams that were also picked in the USTFCCCA's top 15 in Duquesne. The Dukes' women's unit was voted 11th in the preseason poll, while the men were sixth.
The Dukes hosted the Duquesne Duals, also at Schenley Park, two weekends ago. Both the men's and the women's teams went undefeated with the men finishing 8-0 against Pittsburgh, St. Bonaventure, Canisius, Niagara, St. Vincent, Wheeling Jesuit, Juniata and CMU. The women defeated all seven of its opponents in the meet as well.
The last time Bucknell was on the course on Sept. 5, both the men's and women's squads claimed first place at Colgate's Harry Lang Invitational. The men received several strong outings, including a second-place finish from senior Andrew Huebner (Hampton Falls, N.H./The Governor's Academy) and a ninth-place finish from freshman Anthony Rizzo (Wapwallopen, Pa./Holy Redeemer). Both runners were recognized by the Patriot League as the top runner and rookie of the week.
Bucknell's women's squad also had a strong showing to start the season. The Bison took fourth through seventh place in Hamilton, N.Y., with junior Sarah Moniz (Topsfield, Mass./Masconomet Regional) as the first Bison to cross the line.
Following their dual matchup with Duquesne, the Bison will tackle some of their first Patriot League competition at the Paul Short Memorial Invitational hosted by Lehigh. The meet is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2 in Bethlehem, Pa.
