The Hawk

Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Sports

Cushing leads the Hawk attack, finishing 13th overall.

The Saint Joseph's Men and Women's Cross Country teams kicked off the 2007 season Friday, Aug. 31 at the Haverford Time Trial. The event in nearby Haverford, Pennsylvania is a three-mile course which scores individually rather than by team.

On the men's side, Jimmy Jennings,'10, led the way for the Hawks and came in fourth overall with a time of 16:05 for the event. Behind Jennings, four other Saint Joseph's runners finished in the top ten overall.

The prevalence of youth on the Men's team is evident in the meets results. George Wittman, '10, finished just two ticks behind Jennings to complete the race in sixth place overall. Chris Savino, '10, (16:13), Pete Dittmar, '09, (16:14), and Ryan Fenimore, '11, (16:17) finished in short succession in seventh, ninth, and tenth, respectively.

The emergence of young talent is vital as the team lost three out of its four best runners from last year. Teddy Meyers, one of the best performers on the 2006 squad, graduated last May. While he is no longer a runner, Meyers remains in an active role with the team. As an assistant coach, he will be able to share in the experience and give the advice that made him so successful. Head Coach Mike Glavin returns for his 19th year in charge.

The lone seniors on the squad and co-captains, Rich Ryan, '08, and Will Rowland, '08, will provide the leadership and experience needed for success.

Ryan understands the responsibility that comes with the role. "The responsibility falls on our shoulders for how the team does," said Ryan.

There are plenty of new faces on the team, as well. A crowd of eight promising freshmen join the mix this year, all looking to contribute. Among them, Fenimore and Brian Guterl will especially strengthen the squad's core of runners.

Two other newcomers are Dittmar who transferred from Bates College and Kyle Murray, '09, who transferred from Lock Haven University after his freshman year. Due to NCAA rules on transfers to Division I schools, the two athletes had to give up a year of eligibility, sitting out last year.

The Atlantic 10 preseason rankings listed Saint Joseph's sixth in the conference, and the team will undoubtedly use this ranking as motivation.

"We feel disrespected," said Ryan. "We obviously want to do better than that and finish in the top three."

Continued...

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