Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Men Voted First, Women Second in Patriot League Indoor Track & Field Preseason Polls
11/30/2012 7:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
Nov. 30, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell track and field has plenty to smile about a day before its indoor season opener as the men's squad was selected first and the women were second in the Patriot League Preseason Poll, it was announced on Friday. Both teams are attempting to defend their conference titles from last winter. Bucknell kicks off that defense with tomorrow's Bison Opener, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Gerhard Fieldhouse.
The Bucknell men tied with Navy for first place, garnering 92 points and eight first-place votes. Both teams jumped over third-place Army (74 points), which was voted first in last year's preseason poll. The Bison topped the Midshipmen by 8.75 points at the Patriot League indoor championships last winter to claim their first title since 1993.
Placing fourth in the men's 2012-13 preseason poll was Lehigh with 62 points. Lafayette (50), Colgate (33), American (30) and Holy Cross (15) followed.
Despite winning the league's indoor title last year, Bucknell dropped to second place in the latest preseason poll behind Navy. The Mids received 95 points and 11 first-place votes, while the Bison came in with 89 points and five first-place votes. The winner of 14 indoor team titles, Bucknell took the trophy by 40 points last year while Navy placed second.
The rest of the preseason poll remained relatively unchanged from last year's championship finishes. Earning third in the women's poll was Lehigh with 71 points, and Army was fourth with 58. Holy Cross (51). Colgate (38), Lafayette (32) and American (14) wrapped up the vote.
The Patriot League Preseason Polls are determined by a vote of the league's head coaches and sports information directors who cannot vote for their own team.
Men's Patriot League Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll
T1. Bucknell, 92 points (8 first place-votes)
T1. Navy, 92 points (8)
3. Army, 74
4. Lehigh, 62
5. Lafayette, 50
6. Colgate, 33
7. American, 30
8. Holy Cross, 15
Women's Patriot League Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll
1. Navy, 95 points (11 first-place votes)
2. Bucknell, 89 (5)
3. Lehigh, 71
4. Army, 58
5. Holy Cross, 51
6. Colgate, 38
7. Lafayette, 32
8. American, 14
