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Women's Preview |
|
Rank |
Lst. Yr @ Regional |
Team |
Preview |
|
1 |
3 |
TCNJ |
Should be a strong team this year with only 1 runner from their top 7 graduating. They return their top 5 runners from a team which finished a solid 11th at NCAA's last fall. |
|
2 |
1 |
SUNY Geneseo |
Last year's regional champions return 4 of their top 7 including All-American Joanna Zieno. They also have a very strong first-year class. |
|
3 |
2 |
Ithaca College |
Graduated 4 of their top 7 from last year but will be led by 2 of the regions top runners in Amanda Laytham and Kristen Cravotta. |
|
4 |
5 |
Hamilton College |
Return 3 of their top 5 from a team that steadily moved up the rankings last fall and placed 5th at Regionals. They will be hurt by the loss of their #2 runner from last year who is studying abroad but they have a couple of promising first-year students who should have an immediate impact. |
|
5 |
4 |
SUNY Cortland |
I have not received a report but based on last year's results, they return 5 of their top 7 from last year. |
|
6 |
6 |
St. Lawrence |
Team will be hurt by the losses of Morgan Doherty and Heather Thomas who are abroad this fall but return the remaining members of their top 7 from last fall. Led by Amy Barr and Tora Olafsen they should be solid if some of they get some support from a number of promising newcomers. |
|
7 |
8 |
Rochester |
No report in but they also return a healthy group from a solid team a year ago and should compete with the top 6 teams mentioned above for a spot in the NCAA's. |
|
8 |
7 |
SUNY Oswego |
Led by the top returning runner in the region, Susan McWilliams, Oswego lost a number of runners from their top 7 but should be solid with a good first-year group. |
|
9 |
10 |
Rowan |
No report in but return 3 of their top 5 from last year's team. |
|
10 |
11 |
Rensselaer |
11th at last year's regional but return all of their top 7 runners and have a good group of supporting first-year runners. |
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Other Teams to watch:
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Brockport-Looked very solid at Oneonta Invitational last week. Return 3 of their top 5 from last year and have some help with a transfer as well as a few solid newcomers.
-
RIT-Should be improved from a team that finished 18th at Regionals last year. Led by Heidi Spalholz they should have a very solid top 3 runners.
-
Vassar-Led by #1 runner Lucy Amory, they only lost 3 of their top 7 and should contend for top 10 honors within the region
|
|
Men's Preview |
|
Rank |
Lst. Yr @ Regional |
Team |
Preview |
| 1 |
1 |
TCNJ |
'02 - Regional Champions, 9th at NCAA's
Graduated #'s 1, 2, 5 and 6 from last years NCAA team including Nick Ricco the '02 Atlantic Region Champ and NCAA 5,000 meter Champion Outdoors ‘03. No preview was available at this time. If their returnees stay healthy they should still have great experience and leadership. Their roster shows only three freshman for this year in which I know little about. Steve has consistently been able to put together a very solid team over the last few years. With the strength of their returnees they should have a strong finish by November |
|
2 |
2 |
St. Lawrence |
'02 - 2nd Regionals, 16th NCAAs
Graduated two strong seniors 4th and 23rd runners at last yrs. regional and will also be without their 7th man (30th at regional in ‘02). Two strong seniors will lead the team Andy Dana 2x track AA and Jonah Freedman a solid #4-6 runner last year. Additionally, two sophomores Adam Van Nortwick and Jon French both ran consistently in the top 3 a year ago should vie for top 10 in region. The rest of the team will consist of any of 4 strong freshmen and probably 1 of 3 other sophomores or juniors. |
|
3 |
4 |
Geneseo |
Graduated only their #5 from a year ago in which they missed NCAA's by 4 pts. to Ithaca, however their #1 (3rd at regional) is out of eligibility. Additionally, they pick up transfer, Jeff Beck (11th last year at regional) from SUNY Oswego who made NCAA's as and indy last year. Ted Turner (16th regional), Matt Young (28th regional) and Beck should lead the team. They should be better than last year and they have enough talent based on last years track season and current depth to sustain a drive for NCAA's this year. They have 1 freshman who has broken into their the top 7 so far this year at the Oneonta Early Bird Invite in which the team won with 27pts. |
|
4 |
3 |
Ithaca |
'02 - 3rd Regionals, 17th NCAAs
Graduated 8 seniors that accounted for 5 of their top 7 runners. They return the number 7 finisher at regionals (Mike Styczynski) and number 37 finisher (Shawn Calabrese) along with 4 juniors, one sophomore, and twelve freshman. Juniors must step up for them to be successful. Some very strong freshman should help out, 3 of which are expected in the top 7 and 5 in top 10. |
|
5 |
7 |
NYU |
No report available: shouldn't have lost anyone to graduation and have strong runners in Vinny Zarillo and Travis Keaney |
|
6 |
5 |
RIT |
Returning 6 of top 9 from last year, losing Tom Batey and John Tomac and Matt Fortin (#1, #3, #5 respectively at District meet). Key newcomer is Nate Lowe (Spencerport) 9:42-steeple, 15:15, 3 mile at McQ Invit. In addition bring back two key medical red-shirts who missed last year, Seniors Mike Albanese (9:45 steeple, top 30 at districts in 2000, 2001) and Curtis Howard. They should have better strength at the front this year. |
|
7 |
6 |
Vassar |
No report: Should have graduated #1 and #7 with Avi Kramer being their top returner (8th last year at regionals and qualified for NCAA's as an indy). |
|
8 |
9 |
Brockport |
Graduated 6 of top 8 from last years team. Juniors Scott Austin and James Davenport look to lead the young team, 46th and 41st at 2002 Regionals respectively. Host of freshmen look to make the transition to the 8k distance. Top recruits are Ryan Kolb and Matt Sikora. With several returners making strong gains in the summer and a good supporting cast, Brockport should still have a successful team. Only time will tell. Placed 3rd behind Geneseo and Delhi in Oneonta Early Bird Meet |
|
9 |
14 |
U of Rochester |
Coach Izzo lost only two runners from last fall's squad, and has added one of the best recruiting classes Rochester has seen in recent years. Freshman include: New York State Class D Cross-Country Champion, freshman Andrew Whitbeck will be looking to make an immediate impact. Also Ben Snyder, and Jacob Plyman. Coach Izzo also expects strong season from freshman Ander Kazmerski, and Joseph Lust. |
|
10 |
11 |
Cortland |
No report: Finished 5th at Oneonta Early Bird Invite behind Geneseo and Brockport. Should have only graduated #1 Chuck Copp and should be strong near the front with John Lynch and Dave Borg |
-
Plattsburgh - No report but graduate #1 and #3. Brett Wilmot has taken over for Scott Slade and should keep them in the hunt. Finished 6th at Oneonta Early Bird Invite behind Geneseo, Brockport and Cortland
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Merchant Marines - No report and lose only their number 7 from last years 12th place team. They will be strong up front with one of the potential favorites for the regional individual title with Christopher Kapfer.
-
Rowan - No report: Lose John Garton and #5 man. Should be led by Donnie Fillinger and Michael Rithchie. They are a fairly young team but could be in the hunt for top 10.
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