SJU Athletics Photos

Saint Joseph's men's cross country coach Mike Glavin has seen graduation take four all-conference runners from his team in the past two years. It's no wonder that the Hawks won the Atlantic 10 in 2000 and were runners-up to La Salle in 2001 with all-conference performers like Karl Savage , Bill Hoffman, Ben Koch, and Brian Rosetti. “Over the last two years, we've lost all but one guy from the top seven or eight runners. It's time to reload,” Glavin said. While most coaches would admit to having to rebuild after such losses, the Saint Joseph's cross country team simply loads in another top young runner and goes for the conference title yet again. The Hawks haven't finished lower than third in the Atlantic 10 since 1991 and despite their lack of experience, should not place that low in 2002 either. Senior captain Tim Fisher will lead the way on Hawk Hill after a solid junior campaign in which the Fayetteville, NY native placed 22nd at A-10s (sixth for SJU) with a personal best time of 26:12.6. He came on during the indoor track season, winning gold in the 5000 meters and silver in the outdoor 5000. “He's legit,” Glavin commented on his senior captain. Returning from a 15th place finish at the Atlantic 10 Championships is junior Rich Cullin. He finished fourth for the Hawks with a 25:54.2 Like Fisher, Cullin had a strong 2002 campaign on the oval, taking fifth at the A-10s in the 10,000 meters. “His development from freshman to sophomore year was good, so if we get the same kind of development sophomore to junior year, he could definitely help us,” Glavin said. Glavin is also looking towards underclassman Collin Martin, Rich Anderson, and Brad Schmidt to contribute in the scoring positions for Saint Joseph's. Martin made strides during the cross country season and placed fourth in June in the 3000 meter steeplechase at Junior Nationals. Anderson, a redshirt freshman, was injured last fall, but brings in an impressive prep record including being named all-state three times and all-American six times at nearby Cardinal O'Hara. “If he's healthy, he has the goods,” Glavin commented. Schmidt is more of a half-miler, but could step into a scoring role for the Hawks. Although Glavin doesn't like to rely on freshman to have to score for his team, this year might be one of those years that the rookies play a major role. “We have some very good kids coming in,” he said. “ The state of Connecticut will provide Glavin with two stellar runners coming in this season in Andre Laboy and Joe Mohn. Laboy, of Danbury High School, set the state record in the 5000 while Mohn, of Immaculate High, won the Connecticut 1600. Mike DiDio, out of Council Rock, finished second in the Pennsylvania AAA meet in the 1600, and David Masse, from upstate New York's Fayetteville-Manlius High School, round out the rookie class. The Atlantic 10 will be competitive once again in the cross country circuit. “La Salle came back loaded and Duquesne looks pretty good,” Glavin said of his A-10 rivals. The 2002 Hawk schedule is set up perfectly for such an inexperienced squad. “We'll be taking hits from them [La Salle and Duquesne] early, and then look to gain ground on them later in the season,” he commented. Highlighting the schedule is a trip out to South Bend for a run in the Notre Dame Invitational, the next level of collegiate meets. “The group that just graduated has taken us up to a level where it's time to see the Notre Dames and the Michigans and whoever else runs at the Notre Dame Invitational,” Glavin said. For most programs 2002 would be considered a rebuilding year, but not on Hawk Hill. Despite questions about the inexperience and youth of the team, the Hawks should most likely fly in the upper echelon of the Atlantic 10. That is, if those questions are answered. As of now, it's too early to tell. Just ask Mike Glavin. “Ask me on November 15, and I'll tell you a lot more about what I know,” the 1978 SJU grad said with a smile.