2013 Preseason Central - Syracuse University Athletics

Welcome to the 2012 Syracuse cross country preseason central. Stay up-to-date with all the information on SU's two weeks of preseason practice as they prepare for the 2012 season.

August 29th: ACC Preseason Coaches Poll Released

The men's team were predicted to win the Atlantic Coast Conference title this year in its inaugural season. The team comes off a BIG EAST Championship win from last season and has won three conference titles in four years.

The women's team was picked to finish fifth in the ACC.

August 27th: USTFCCCA National Preseason Poll Announced

The Orange are predicted to finish in ninth place nationally, which, if it holds true, would be the best finish for the Syracuse cross country team in program history. Last season the squad finished in 15th place.

The women's team did not make the 30-team list but did receive votes in the preseason poll.

August 26th: USTFCCCA Regional Preseason Poll Announced

The men's team was picked to finish first in the Northeast Region, as announced by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The women's team was picked to finish in fifth place in the preseason poll.

Last season the men's team finished in third place in the NCAA regional and the women's team finished in sixth.

August 20th: The Orange hold its first practice

The Syracuse cross country team kicked off the 2013 season this Tuesday when they reported to campus for the first practice of preseason. The Orange will train for the next three weeks in preparation for its first meet at Colgate at the Harry Lang Invitational on Sept. 7th.

2013 Season Outlook

The Orange cross country team will enter the 2013 season with both reliable veterans and young talent looking to make their mark in SU’s first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The men’s team returns all of its record six All-BIG EAST selections from last season, including redshirt senior Griff Graves, who was a key contributor in winning the 2012 conference title, finishing 13th overall. Martin Hehir, a redshirt sophomore, was the individual champion at the BIG EAST Championship, and will be looking to continue his success in the ACC this season. Senior Robert Molke, who finished in fourth place at the conference championship, junior Ryan Urie, who finished in ninth at the same event, senior Joseph Whelan, who finished a team-best 55th at NCAA Championships, and Graves will be the go-to veterans for the Orange. Hehir, Molke, Urie and Whelan were also all named to the 2012 All-Region team.

The men add seven newcomers to the roster included the much anticipated harrier out of Manlius, N.Y. Nick Ryan, who leaves high school with a laundry list of titles and records, including two state titles in cross country, two selections as the Gatorade cross country boys Runner of the Year and a fifth place finish at nationals.

The SU women lose three-time All-BIG EAST and two-time All-Region selection Sarah Pagano, who was the lone female competitor for the Orange at the 2012 NCAA Championship meet. Aside from losing Pagano, the Orange returns all of its runners from the 2012 season. Junior Katherine Fleischer had a solid 2012 season, taking the second-best team finish at NCAA Regionals (31st place). Senior Alexandra Clinton took at 26th place finish at the BIG EAST Championship and looks to be a team leader in 2013. Six newcomers will be added to the women’s ranks this season.

The schedule for the 2013 season does not look much different than seasons past, despite move to the ACC. The Orange will run in all of the same races as last season except for the Toledo Bubble Buster and add four new races. SU cross country will try its hand at the Boston Inter-Regional race, the Roy Griak Invitational, the Princeton Invitational and against Cornell and Army, capping it off with the ACC Championship and NCAA regionals.

Looking Back at 2012

2012 Results
Event	Women	Men
Harry Lang Invitaional	1st of 11	1st of 11
Dartmouth Invitational	3rd of 5	1st of 3
Toledo Bubble Buster	5th of 14	1st of 6
Wisconsin adidas Invite	22nd of 49	11th of 46
John Reif Memorial	NTS	NTS
BIG EAST Championship	6th of 15	1st of 14
NCAA Northeast Reg.	6th of 37	3rd of 34
NCAA Championship	Sarah Pagano: 63rd	15th of 31

The SU men’s cross country team captured its third BIG EAST title last season and had its first ever individual conference champion in Martin Hehir. Four runners finished in the top 10 at the race and six finished in the top-15, qualifying them for the All-Conference team.

The Orange men continued their success at the NCAA Northeast Regional where they placed third overall to qualify for the NCAA Championship race. SU finished the season with a 15th place finish at the NCAA finals.

The women’s team took sixth at the BIG EAST Championship and sixth in the NCAA Northeast Regional, which ended the 2012 season for the squad. Sarah Pagano was the lone qualifier for the NCAA Championship race from SU. She ended her collegiate cross country career with a 63rd place finish.