Senior Nana Sang-Bender led the Orange women at the Paul Short Invitational last year with a 14th place finish. SU's men will head off at 11a.m. with the women's following at 11:45a.m. on Friday morning in Bethlehem, Pa.
Orange On Point Heading into the Paul Short Invitational on Friday Morning
10/2/2008 12:19:02 PM | Cross Country
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The 30th ranked Syracuse men and Orange women cross country teams revisit the trails at the Paul Short Invitational in Bethlehem, Pa. on Friday, Oct. 3. The Division I men’s competition will start up at 11 a.m., followed by the women’s race at 11:45 a.m.
This year, more than 4,000 runners will compete from more than 300 institutions around the country. Several teams are ranked in the national polls from Divisions I-III and even more are listed in the regional rankings, making this event one of the most prestigious cross country races in the country.
Last season, Syracuse's men placed second in a field of 41 teams and the Orange women finished sixth out of 47 squads.
”This is the first important meet of our season,” head coach Chris Fox said. “We will be taking on ranked teams from all over the country in both the men’s and women’s races. We have high expectations based on our early season success. Although important, it is not the most important. It is just a step.”
Both squads pull into Lehigh with after winning their first two races of the season. Three out of four Orange distance runners have earned individual first-place finishes, as well.
The Orange was led by junior Curtis Bixler and freshman Lauryn MacFawn at the Harry Lang Invitational in SU’s first meet. The two harriers turned in times of 19:05.00 and 17:00.00, respectively. In Syracuse’s second run, the men were guided by junior Dan Busby’s first-place performance of 25:58 on the 5.2 mile course. In addition to Busby’s top finish, the Orange men turned in a perfect 15 points, sweeping the remaining top five slots. Busby received the BIG EAST Athlete of the Week award for his feat. SU’s women were directed by junior Maegan Krifchin’s second-place effort of 21:39. The women’s race was conducted on a 6K challenge.
SU’s men were given its highest national preseason ranking earlier this season. The USTFCCCA rated the Orange 28th in the first poll of the season. The women received votes in the national poll for the first time in program history. The Syracuse men’s team will run at the Paul Short Invitational ranked as the 30th ranked team in country.
Following the meet at Lehigh, the Orange will revisit Pennsylvania for the National Open to be run at Penn State in State College, Pa. on Friday, Oct. 17. The Orange will have its chance to survey the site of the NCAA Championship in Terre Haute, Ind. at the Pre-Nationals on the next day following the National Open.
2008 Lehigh University Brooks Paul Short Run Race Schedule
11:00 AM Ranked & D-I Men’s College Championship 8K
11:45 AM Ranked & D-I Women’s College Championship 6K
12:15 PMJV Men’s College 8K
1:00 PM JV Women’s College 6K
1:45 PM Non D-I Men’s College 8K
2:30 PM Non D-I Women’s College 6K
3:15 PM High School Brown Section Boys’ Championship 5K
3:45 PM High School Brown Section girls’ Championship 5K
4:15 PM High School White Section Boys’ Championship 5K
4:45 PM High School White Section Girls’ Championship 5K
5:15 PM High School JV Boys’ 5K
5:45 PM High School JV Girls’ 5K
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