Bucknell University Athletics
Cross Country Set for Patriot League Championships at Lehigh on Saturday
10/30/2014 5:36:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
The top finisher in each race earns the Runner of the Year Award, with the highest-finishing freshman deemed the Rookie of the Year. There will also be a Coach of the Year voted on by head coaches after each race. The top-seven finishers in each race earn first team All-Patriot League status, and the next seven are second team All-Patriot League finishers.
The Bucknell women's team won four invitationals this season, more than any other team in the Patriot League. The Bison also own two of the six individual titles won by PL runners this year. Katie Jessee took first in the Running-Fit Detroit Titan Invitational, while Kylie Pearse wrapped up the regular season with a victory at the Gettysburg Invitational.
Those results have led to Bucknell being ranked 11th in the Mid-Atlantic Region, two spots behind ninth-ranked Navy. Lehigh is 12th respectively, while Boston University and Army are 14th and 15, respectively, in the Northeast Region.
“Our women have as much depth as anyone in the league, but we will need a couple of low sticks to put us in position for a championship,” Bucknell head coach Kevin Donner said. “We have a few who are capable and they are ready for a nice showing.”
The Bucknell men are also the second-highest ranked Patriot League team in the Mid-Atlantic Region, coming at seventh, two spots back of fifth-ranked Navy. Lehigh is eighth and American is 10th, while Boston University is ranked 13th in the Northeast Region.
The Bison have the second-highest returning finisher from last year's conference championship in Michael McGowan. He earned first team All-Patriot League honors with a fifth-place finish. Lehigh's Ryan Mahalsky was third. The Bison's John Dugan didn't compete at last year's meet due to injury, but took third as a sophomore for first team honors and 13th as a freshman to earn Rookie of the Year.
The men also have one of just six Patriot League runners to win an individual title this season. Andrew Kuchta took first in the season opening Bison Invitational.
“Our men have been racing well lately and are healthy,” Donner said. “Now we just need to believe in each other and the program and put things together and we should do just fine.”
Players Mentioned
