Sept. 2, 2010

PHILADELPHIA - The men's cross country team looks to be a strong contender in the Atlantic 10 again this season after winning the conference title last year for the first time since 2000. Head Coach Mike Glavin, 2009 Coach of the Year, is confident the Hawks have what it takes to be strong competitors again this season.

Saint Joseph's graduated three of its top harriers, but the Hawks return four of its top seven runners, including junior Kevin McDonnell, senior captain Brian Guterl, sophomore Jon Mazzio, and senior Jesse Brooks. With a wealth of experience and leadership along with a strong incoming class of eight newcomers the team looks to be just as solid as last season.

Senior leadership is expected to come Guterl, an Atlantic 10 All-Conference, NCAA-All-Region, and IC4A All-East performer. Guidance and experience will also come from senior captain Vince Collins, who has become a more consistent runner and integral part of the Hawks squad.

Along with the captains, Brooks has become one of the top runners, finishing in the top three at IC4A's last season. Seniors Luke Fischer and Kevin Donnelly are also established runners on the squad, expected to make an impact this season.

McDonnell will lead the junior class as a notable performer on the team with Atlantic 10 All-Conference and NCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Regional honors last season. He will look to improve on his second place finish that helped lead the Hawks to the conference title and his 19th place showing at regionals. Among the five returning with McDonnell in the junior class are David Evans a strong distance competitor, and middle distance runners Logan Hohs, Ryan Birchmeier, and Murphy O'Donnell who all made appearances in the top six last season.

Mazzio broke into the top five in seven meets last season and will lead the large group of returning sophomores. The sophomore distance runners are Drew Cogley, Greg Etter, Conor Logan, and Vincent Nicastro, while adding depth in the middle distance are John Eastman, Kyle Gorczynski, Dave Manion, and Andrew Townsend.

The newcomers are comprised of six freshmen, Aaron Leskow, Max Margiotta, Tom O'Kane, Mike Rankin, Sean Staltari, and Tom Zamadics. Senior Ryan Fenimore rejoins the Hawk squad while junior Dan Roark joins the team after two seasons at Quinnipiac.

The Hawks start off the season with two meets on the road at the Duquesne Duals (Sept. 4) and Penn State's Spike Shoe (Sept. 11). October is the beginning of the stronger competitions with meets at Paul Short (Oct. 1) and Princeton (Oct. 16) just before the Hawks head to the Atlantic 10 Championships (Oct. 30) in Pittsburgh.

Saint Joseph's closes out the season in November with the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals (Nov. 13) in State College and the IC4A Championships (Nov. 20) in New York.