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A Good Start in the Patriot League For American Cross Country
Eagles Earn Four All-League Honors

Meet Stats | Oct. 27, 2001

HAMILTON, N.Y. -- After nearly three months of practices, American cross country finally got the chance to run in its first Patriot League competition. The Eagles put together an excellent performance in the chilly weather of New York bringing home third place for the men and fifth place for the women. In addition, four runners earned All-League honors.

Sophomores Frank Malpigli and Matt Seymour led the way for the Eagles finishing in fourth and sixth place respectively. Malpigli was with the leaders the entire race, finishing only seven seconds behind the winner, Will Wyche of Army. Junior Sean O'Brien just missed All-League honors finishing 12th. Freshmen Sean Duffy and Patrick MacAdie rounded out the top five for the Eagles finishing in 22nd and 24th place. Also competing for the Eagles, Chad Young placed 41st and Carlos Hunt placed 45th.

The men finished in third place behind Army, which defended its team title, and Bucknell. They are the only team out of the top three that returns all of its runners for next season.

For the women, a snow shower preceded and followed the race. During the race, however, it was nothing but good weather. Junior Samia Akbar and sophomore Jen Baclawski earned All-League honors finishing in sixth and seventh place. Akbar and Baclawski worked through the challenging course together the entire race, finishing only .4 seconds apart. They were 20 seconds behind the winner, Becki Marshall of Bucknell. Freshman Whitney McNees placed 22nd and was followed by sophomore Jessica Daniel in 37th. Leah Heinecke-Krumhus and Heidi Fishpaw finished in 48th and 51st respectively. Freshman Megan Simpson was in 54th place and junior Erin Hickey was close behind in 57th place.

Bucknell won the women's team competition followed by Army in second place. Only 12 points separated third from sixth with Lehigh and Holy Cross finishing tied for third, only seven points in front of the Eagles.

Head Coach Matt Centrowitz was pleased with how the teams ran at the meet. "Both teams competed very well," Centrowitz said. "It was a great start in the Patriot League and we are delighted to have four All-League athletes in Samia, Jen, Matt, and Frankie."

The Eagles continue their season on Nov. 10 at the NCAA District II Regional Meet. This meet is a NCAA Championship qualifier and will be held at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.