JWU Chosen as Top Pick in GNAC Pre-Season Poll
The three-time, consecutive GNAC Champion, Johnson & Wales University, earned a top rank in this year’s men’s cross country pre-season poll. JWU picked up the lead spot in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference coaches’ poll. Emmanuel, last year’s GNAC championship runner-up took a second place finish, and Norwich earned a third place finish in coaches’ poll. This year’s GNAC Championship will take place on October 29, 2011 at Franklin Park in Boston and will be hosted by Emmanuel and Emerson College.
Article courtesy of GNAC communications.
The three-time, consecutive GNAC Champion, Johnson & Wales University, earned a top rank in this year's men's cross country pre-season poll. JWU picked up the lead spot in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference coaches' poll. Emmanuel, last year's GNAC championship runner-up took a second place finish, and Norwich earned a third place finish in coaches' poll. This year's GNAC Championship will take place on October 29, 2011 at Franklin Park in Boston and will be hosted by Emmanuel and Emerson College.
Johnson & Wales looks to return to another top place finish this season after returning most of their squad from last year. Despite graduating GNAC Runner of the Year, James Vance, the Wildcats will look to juniors, Jeff Hartman and Greg Redfield to lead the pack. Hartman placed 2nd (27:11) in last year's GNAC Championship and Redfield was right beside him and placed 3rd (27:12) over the 8K course. Additionally, JWU will return sophomore, Brian Dinan, who earned 5th (28:01) place honors in the previous championship. The Wildcats embark on their season on September 10th at the Roger Williams Invitational at 12:00pm.
2. Emmanuel
The Saints hope to have another run at this year's 2011 GNAC title after a successful second place finish in 2010 and returning their top five runners. Leading the Saints will be GNAC All-Conference runner, Abdi Ibrahim, who placed 4th (28:01) in the GNAC Championship last year. Senior co-captain Stephen Armstrong will return as a top competitor for the Saints after leading Emmanuel at the Codfish Bowl and NCAA Regionals in 2010. Emmanuel's next race will take place on September 10th at the Roger Williams Invitational at 12:00pm.
3. Norwich
With a new head coach at the reins, Norwich looks to a quest for a championship after coming in 3rd last year in the GNAC Championship. Head Coach Nick Cooper will look to a team of 7 out of their top 9 finishers from 2010 including junior Joe Rosenthal. Rosenthal was the top finisher for the 2010 squad at the New England regional meet and also named to the GNAC All-conference team. The Cadets will set to compete at the Smith College Invitational on September 10th.