Men Picked Third in Patriot League Preseason Cross Country Poll

Men Picked Third in Patriot League Preseason Cross Country Poll
Eagles Enter League Behind Army, Bucknell

Aug. 31, 2001

WASHINGTON, D.C. - American University's men's cross country team was selected third in the Patriot League cross country poll, as announced by the league office on Thursday. The poll was voted on by head coaches and sports information directors of the seven member schools. American will chase defending league champion Army as well as runner-up Bucknell.

The men's team will be led by junior Sean O'Brien (Tilton, N.H. /Winniguam) and sophomore Frank Malpigli (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bayshore). O'Brien returns following his All-American performance in the 1500 meters at the NCAA Track Championships in June. Malpigli led the Eagles in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship with a 15th place finish in 2000.

The American women's cross country team received two first place votes and finished fifth in the preseason poll. The women return junior Samia Akbar (Herndon, Va./Oakton) and sophomore Jen Baclawski (Ijamsville, Md./Urbana). Both Akbar and Baclawski placed in the top ten at the CAA Championship meet last year.

The men's and women's season begins on Sept. 8 with the Navy Invitational at 10:00 a.m. The Patriot League Championship will be held on Oct. 27 at Colgate.

American University, founded in 1893, fields a 19-sport NCAA Division I athletics program, featuring 10 women's sports and nine for men. American became a full member of the Patriot League on July 1.

2001 Patriot League Preseason Men's Cross Country Poll

2001 Patriot League Preseason Women's Cross Country Poll

(#) indicates number of first-place votes