Lehigh University Athletics
Cross country teams set to begin 2003 season
9/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country
Bethlehem, PA – The Lehigh cross country teams get their seasons underway on Friday when they host the Lehigh Valley Championships at the Goodman Campus. The women get underway at 5:00, while the men are set to start at 5:45. In addition to Lehigh, Moravian, DeSales, Lafayette, Muhlenberg, Kutztown and East Stroudsburg will also be competing in the event. On the men’s side, Sophomore Rob Hampson and junior Mark Swanson led the Lehigh attack all season long a year ago, and should be even tougher with the added experience. Hampson showed his ability by winning his first collegiate race. Aside from the two frontrunners, senior captains Todd Scurci and junior Alex Hudgins will provide leadership both on and off the course. Both have been among the pack finishing right behind Hampson and Scurci. Other returnees to keep an eye on are junior Sam Kirk and sophomores Dave Merola, Ryan O'Donnell, and Tyler Spencer. The Mountain Hawks were picked to finish sixth in the Patriot League in a preseason poll of coaches and sports information directors. As for the women, senior Chrissy Boyd and junior Deanna Willard, both captains, will lead the team as Lehigh looks to remain tough, not only in the Patriot League but the Middle-Atlantic Region, as well. One of the Mountain Hawks strengths in 2002-03 was excellent grouping, as rarely did 45 seconds pass between the first and fifth runners. Lehigh will look to continue that trend in the coming season. Sophomore Jenna Breidinger was one of the Mountain Hawks top runners all season, and was the team's high finisher on several occasions. Junior Andrea Luebbe was also tough during her sophomore season, and should only be tougher in the upcoming season. Jillian Koste and Tracie Fails turned in strong freshman campaigns and Olivia Basu is also primed for a strong season. Add that to an incoming class including Carolyn House, Krista Kobeski, Deidre Martin, Rachel McCormick, Jen Schappert, Sarah Seiler, and Kristen Wert and the Mountain Hawks future looks bright. The Lehigh women were predicted to finish fifth in a preseason poll of Patriot League coaches and sports information directors.
