Aug. 26, 2010

Division II Preseason Poll | Division II Regional Poll

The UMass Lowell men's cross country team, fresh off a magnificent 2009 season, was selected No. 13 nationally and No. 1 regionally as the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its Division II and East Region preseason polls Wednesday.

The River Hawk women were tabbed No. 3 in the women's USTFCCCA East Region poll, also released on Wednesday.

In the men's national poll, Adams (Colo.) State was tabbed the favorite and Western (Colo.) State the runner up while Colorado School of Mines, Grand Valley (Mich.) State and Cal State-Chico completed the top five.

The River Hawks, the defending NCAA East Region Champion, led the USTFCCCA East Region Poll while American International College was slated No. 2 and Stonehill College No. 3. Adelphi (N.Y.) was selected No. 4 ahead of No. 5 Bentley, No. 6 Southern Connecticut and No. 7 C.W. Post.

Saint Rose, Felician (N.J.) College and New Haven rounded out the regional poll.

"We're excited for the season with some of our top runners back with us," said Head Coach Gary Gardner, entering his ninth year. "Of course the poll is flattering, but what matters is what we do in November and December. If we remain healthy, we think this could be a special year."

UMass Lowell returns five of its top seven runners, including All-American senior Angus MacDonald (Methuen, Mass.), who finished 37th overall (26th among scoring runners) at the 2009 NCAA Championship.

Also back are All-Region standouts Eric McDonald (Groveland, Mass.) and Danny Wang (Haverhill, Mass.) along with junior Jeff Veiga (Lowell, Mass.).

The UMass Lowell women, which finished second at the '09 NCAA East Region Championship and 23rd at the NCAAs, was tabbed No. 3 in the East Region poll behind defending regional champion Stonehill and Southern Connecticut. Adelphi was selected No. 4, ahead of No. 5 Saint Rose, No. 6 Philadelphia and No. 7 Merrimack. Bentley came in at No. 8 while New York Institute of Technology and Georgian Court completed the top 10.

The River Hawks, who were picked No. 4 in last year's East Region poll, return two of their top runners from 2009, including senior Sarah Bonomo (Tewksbury, Mass.) and sophomore Kelly Walton (Nahant, Mass.), each an All-Region standout. Also back after sitting out 2009 due to an injury is junior Patricia Brice (Chelmsford, Mass.).

"We've got a strong core coming back with Sarah and Kelly," said Gardner. "I think there will be a lot of competition to be among the top seven places with so many underclasswomen, which is always good."

The UMass Lowell women and men open the season Saturday, Sept. 4 at the Keene State Alumni Invitational.

Other key dates include the New England Championship at Franklin Park on Oct. 9, the Northeast-10 Conference Championship Nov. 6, the NCAA East Region Championship Nov. 21 at Franklin Park (hosted by UMass Lowell) and the NCAA Championship Dec. 4 in Louisville, Ky.