New York, NY---The Sage Colleges women’s and men’s cross country teams have both been picked to finish third in the race for the 2013 Skyline Conference Championship in the poll of the league’s 10 coaches. St. Joseph's-L.I. has been selected to defend its men's and women's cross country titles in voting conducted by the league's head coaches.
At the helm of Sage’s men’s and women’s program is Jim Bowles. Now in his fourth season at Sage, the men’s program is competing in its fourth season this fall, while Sage’s women’s team is just in its second campaign. Last year both of the teams were named to the 2012 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Teams, marking the second time in his tenure the men’s team has been honored for their academic prowess.
A year ago, the Gator women’s team won the Green Mountain Invitational, while also turning in a number of strong performances at meets in 2012. Among them was a third place finish at the 2012 Skyline Championship, where Sage finished strong and produced three finishers in the top 15 at the championship meet.
Sage’s men’s team also finished in third place at the Skyline Championships a year ago and produced the program’s first Skyline Conference All-Stars as rookie Juan Reyes-Alvarez (Latham, NY/Shaker) finished in fifth place a year ago. Sage also had two runners earn Skyline Second Team honors, including returning team co-captain Bryan Kelly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley Central).
Sage returns to action on September 21 travelling to Bard College for the Raptor Invitational.
On the men's side, the Golden Eagles welcome back senior Brian Wersan, who finished runner-up at the 2012 Skyline Championship with a time of 28:27.20. SJC has taken home the league crown in four of the past five seasons.
Vying for its 10th title in program annals, St. Joseph's-L.I. has been tabbed by the league's head coaches to seize the 2013 women's crown. SJC returns reigning Skyline Rookie of the Year Brittany Guttieri, who finished sixth overall at the Championship a year ago.
The 2013 Skyline Cross Country Championships will be held on Sunday, Oct. 27, at Van Cortlandt Park (Bronx, NY).
2013 Skyline Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. St. Joseph's-L.I.
2. Mount Saint Mary
3. Sage
4. Purchase
5. Maritime
6. Farmingdale State
7. Yeshiva
8. Mount Saint Vincent
9. Old Westbury
10. NYU-Poly
2013 Skyline Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. St. Joseph's-L.I.
2. Maritime
3. Sage
4. Yeshiva
5. Farmingdale State
6. Purchase
7. Mount Saint Mary
8. Mount Saint Vincent
9. NYU-Poly
10. Old Westbury
