Patriot League Announces Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll
Navy ranks atop the men’s poll; Boston U. and Bucknell tied atop the women’s poll
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The Navy men earned all available first place votes to rank atop the Patriot League Men’s Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll, while Boston University and Bucknell finished tied for the top spot in the women’s poll when it was announced on Friday afternoon.
The preseason poll is voted on by the League’s track & field head coaches and each institutions respective sports information directors. Coaches and sports information contacts cannot vote for their own school.
Navy, the defending men’s champion, received 128 points and all 16 available first place votes to finish atop the preseason poll. Midshipmen head coach Stephen Cooksey returns for his 29th season of a program that has earned the last three indoor and outdoor titles. The Mids return six of their 12 all-League individuals including first team selections high jumper Tyler Russell, shot putter Griffie Loy and weight thrower John Campbell. Second Team all-League selections Nate Gainey (500m), Lucas Stalnaker (5,000m) and Khaalif Wolfe (triple jump) also return.
Boston University (109 points, 1 first-place vote) was selected behind the Mids after a second-place finish at the 2016 Patriot League Indoor Track & Field Championships. Army West Point (103, 1) was picked third after finishing third a year ago, while Bucknell (85) was also predicted to finish, where they ended at last season’s championship. Lehigh (75), Holy Cross (51), Lafayette (42), American (26) and Colgate (19) round out the men’s preseason poll.
Defending Patriot League Champion Boston University and Bucknell finished in a tie atop the women’s preseason poll with 154 points and 10 first-place votes. The Terriers will be led by defending USTFCCCA Northeast Regional and Patriot League Coach of the Year Robyne Johnson, who is in her 12th season of a program that has won two of the last three League indoor titles. The Terriers return senior Toria Levy, who won the 60m hurdles and 500m dash. Sophomore Lovie Burleson returns after setting a Patriot League record in the triple jump.
Bucknell Kevin Donner and the Bison return nine of its 12 All-Patriot League selections, including Christine Bendzinski (4x800 relay, mile, 1,000 m), Sarah Chandler (4x800, 1,000m, mile, DMR), Emma Harris (4x800, DMR), Grace Loh (DMR), Kafillat Oladiran (60m), Laura Papili (DMR), Kate Scott (5,000m), Allison Sharkey (4x400) and Elyse Pettaway (4x400).
Lehigh (128) was voted third after finishing third at last season’s Championship, with Army West Point (106) in fourth also mirroring their 2016 finish. Holy Cross (91) rounds out the top five, finishing one point in front of Navy (90). Lafayette (68), American (45), Loyola Maryland (37) and Colgate (26) round out the women’s preseason poll.
The 2016-17 Patriot League Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships are scheduled to begin on Friday, February 17 and conclude on Sunday, February 19 at Boston University’s Track & Tennis Center.
Patriot League Men’s Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll
1. Navy, 128 points (16 first-place votes)
2. Boston University, 109 (1)
3. Army West Point, 103 (1)
4. Bucknell, 85
5. Lehigh, 75
6. Holy Cross, 51
7. Lafayette, 42
8. American, 26
9. Colgate, 19
Patriot League Women’s Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll
1. Boston University, 154 points (10 first-place votes)
- Bucknell, 154 (10)
3. Lehigh, 128
4. Army West Point, 106
5. Holy Cross, 91
6. Navy, 90
7. Lafayette, 68
8. American, 45
9. Loyola Maryland, 37
10. Colgate, 26