Bison Picked to Win Patriot League in Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll

8/21/2015 4:34:00 PM | Women's Cross Country

By: TBD

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The 2014 Patriot League cross country season had an exciting finish with Bucknell and Boston University tying for the top spot at the conference championship race, before the Terriers were crowned champions thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker. The 2015 season begins with the same two teams battling for the top spot, as the Bison held the slightest edge as the favorite in the preseason poll released on Friday.

Bucknell topped the poll with 152 points, finishing just one point ahead of Boston University's 151. The difference was the 11 first-place votes the Bison received compared to the eight votes for the Terriers. Navy received one first-place vote and came in at third with 130 points. Rounding out the poll were Army West Point (108), Holy Cross (102), Lehigh (89), American (63), Lafayette (41), Loyola (40) and Colgate (24).

Bucknell's top two runners from the conference championships – Katie Jessee and Montana DiPietrantonio - have graduated, but the Bison return two All-Patriot League runners in juniors Kate Scott and Sarah Chandler, who finished 12^th and 14^th, respectively. Sophomore Christine Bendzinski was one spot away from All-Patriot League honors with a 15^th-place finish, but was the second-fastest freshman in the race.

Three other returners for the Bison finished in the top 40 last season. Seniors Deanna Godby and Alison Billas were 24^th and 32^nd, respectively, while sophomore Brennan Sharkey was 37^th. Sharkey looks to improve on a freshman season that saw her tie the Patriot League record with three Rookie of the Week awards.

Bucknell opens the season at home with the Bison Open on Friday, Sept. 4. Sharkey took third and Chandler was fourth at the event last season.

Patriot League Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll

1. Bucknell, 152 points (11 first-place votes)

2. Boston University, 151 (8)

3. Navy, 130 (1)

4. Army West Point, 108

5. Holy Cross, 102

6. Lehigh, 89

7. American, 63

8. Lafayette, 41

9. Loyola, 40

10. Colgate, 24