Bucknell Picked Fourth in Patriot League Men's Cross County Preseason Poll

8/21/2015 5:11:00 PM | Men's Cross Country

By: TBD

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell men's cross country was picked to finish fourth in the Patriot League this season in a vote by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors. Navy was a unanimous favorite to win its third consecutive title in the preseason poll, which was released by the league on Friday.

Navy received a maximum 18 first-place votes to top the poll and was followed by Army West Point (130) and Boston University (124). Bucknell (118) and American (102) each picked up one first-place vote and finished fourth and fifth in the poll, respectively. Rounding out the list were Lehigh (96), Holy Cross (66), Colgate (46), Lafayette (32) and Loyola (24).

Bucknell had three runners – Michael McGowan, Andrew Garcia-Garrison and John Dugan – earn All-Patriot League honors last season, but all three have graduated. Will Bordash returns for his sophomore season after taking home Rookie of the Year honors with a 26^th-place finish at the conference meet.

The Bison had a large group of runners looking to move up the standings after finishing in the top 50 last season. Junior Luke Giugliano took 39^th, while seniors Andrew Kirna, Peter Murray and John Kirna were bunched together from 45^th to 47^th.

Bucknell opens the season at home with the Bison Open on Friday, Sept. 4. The Bison took 10 of the top 11 spots last season, led by a first-place finish from Andrew Kuchta.

Patriot League Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll

1. Navy, 162 points (18 first-place votes)

2. Army West Point, 130

3. Boston University, 124

4. Bucknell, 118 (1)

5. American, 102 (1)

6. Lehigh, 96

7. Holy Cross, 66

8. Colgate, 46

9. Lafayette, 32

10. Loyola, 24