Sept. 8, 2005
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University men's and women's cross country teams will head to the famed Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, N.Y., for the 2005 Fordham Invitational, hosted by Fordham University. Head Coach Michael Owens will make his head coaching debut on Saturday, for the Stags.
The teams have been eagerly awaiting the start of the season, as the Stags retooled their off-season conditioning program, last spring. In addition, the race schedule has been altered a bit, with an eye on peaking later in the season. "This year's schedule will have fewer races in September, and more in the championship season," Owens said earlier this summer. "It should put us in top condition, and allow us to do well in the meets that matter."
Owens mantra early on in the preseason has been progression. He would like the team to improve week in and week out. Both teams hope to do that this season, as despite some holes to fill, there is still a wealth of talent at Owen's disposal.
On the men's side the Stags will look to senior co-captains A.J. Kastanotis and Devin Hagen. Also included in the lead pack for Fairfield is sophomore Andrew Lawrence, sophomore Matthew Ginn, junior John LaCagnina, sophomore John Worrall, and junior Dan Ryan.
The women's side features a trio of seniors, led by co-captains Kara O'Connell and Maryellen Pribish. In addition, senior Shannon Kenefick is poised to make a big splash this season.
Rounding out the lead group for Fairfield is sophomore Megan Krueger, Courtney Kincaid, Kelli Connors, and Liz Casey.
A talented group of freshmen runners will look to push the upperclassmen for spots in the top-5. Devan Ard, Lauren Asermely, Laura Barry, Jennifer Booton, and Tara Jackson, make up the first-year runners for the Stags.
There will be 19 teams competing between the men's and women's races, and in addition to running against some of the top teams in the Northeast, the Stags will get an early look at the Van Cortlandt Park course.
Fairfield will race three times, including Saturday at Van Cortlandt Park this season. Along with Saturday's race, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships will be held on Friday, Oct. 28, and in the ECAC/IC4A Championships on Saturday, Nov. 20.
After this weekend's race, Fairfield will be back in action for the CCSU Ted Owens Invitational, on Saturday, Sept. 17. The meet hosted by Central Connecticut State University, will take place at Stanley Quarter Park.
