By Tyler Piraino
Contributing Writer
Picked to finish 13th in the conference in the preseason coaches’ poll, the cross country team, under fourth-year head coach Bob Macfarlane, will look to improve on last year’s 16th(men) and 15th (women) place finishes.
The men’s team returns all 14 runners from last year’s squad, and adds freshman Ben Collins into the mix. The women’s team returns eight letter winners from thefirst ever St. Bonaventure women’s cross country team to finish out of last place in the A-10 and gains freshmen Courtney Brinsky, Katelyn Chiccino, Allison Field, Julia Mericle and Alexis Young.
The Bonnies will be competing in a new-look A-10 conference, which welcomes George Mason and says goodbye to Butler, Temple, Charlotte and Xavier. George Mason was picked to finish third in the conference, while last year’s third-place finisher, LaSalle, was picked to finish first and St. Joseph’s was picked to finish second.
Despite not being a preseason favorite to win the conference, both the men’s and women’s teams feel that they can be competitive. According to the runners, both teams have gone through a rigorous offseason training program.
“We’ve had a really good summer of training and a strong preseason,” senior captain Kady Weisner said of the women’s team.
“We are really motivated and the guys looked great this preseason.” senior captain Terence Petty said of the men’s team.
One of the biggest reasons that Petty and Weisner say the offseason and preseason training has gone so well is because of the focus and motivation that the runners have shown.
“Our number one goal is to be competitive and move up in the A-10,” Petty said.
According to Weisner, her team’s competitive spirit is one of the main reasons her team has had such a good offseason.
“We have a friendly competition between the girls,” Weisner said. “But everyone wants everyone to do well.”
The Bonnies open their season today at the Little Three Invitational in Buffalo, where they will compete against Canisius and Niagara.
