Cross Country Embarks on 2024 Campaign
8/30/2024 10:02:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
Pios begin eight-race schedule on Saturday
FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University cross country contingent begins the 2024 season this weekend, taking part in the Stony Brook Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, August 31. The Pios eight-meet schedule marks the beginning of a new era in SHU Athletics as the Pios begin competition in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
"The MAAC is quite a bit stronger in cross country than our previous conference, so we have our work cut out for us," said head coach Christian Morrison. "I will say that both of our teams, looked better during our preseason than they have in the past 6-7 years, so we're excited to see how we can do this season, and we hope to surprise a few of the MAAC teams that are ranked ahead of us."
The Red & White begin the season down the I-95 corridor, heading to Long Island this weekend before getting a preview of this season's MAAC Championship course, participating in the Manhattan University Jasper Fall Invitational at Twin Ponds on the Farm in Montgomery, N.Y. on September 14. The Pios will race on September 28 at a site to be determined before heading to Hopkinton Fairgrounds for the 112th Annual New England Cross Country Championships on October 12.
SHU begins the latter half of the 2024 slate with a return to Saint Albans, Vt., racing at the University of Vermont Fall Foliage Invitational (10/20) before heading just up the road to New Britian, Conn., to race at the 20th Annual Central Connecticut State Mini-Meet (10/25) to conclude the regular season. The Pios then return to Twin Ponds on the Farm to race in the MAAC Championships before heading back to Hopkinton, N.H. for the NCAA DI Northeast Regional Cross Country Championships.
SHU returns a plethora of talent this season on both squads with the women's team returning five of the top six team finishers from last season's Northeast Conference (NEC) Championships. Two-time NEC Rookie of the Week Grace DelGiorno and teammate Samantha Apostolico return to the squad for their sophomore campaigns after earning NEC Al-Rookie Team honors last season while Kelly Parker, Keegan Pepin, Jessica Pigott and Grace Sousa return as part of the leadership group for this season.
"I must say, our women's captains all look ready to run faster than ever this year," said Morrison. "We also have so many different athletes who could mix into our top 5-7 that it's hard to predict. We're excited to see how things shake out as the season goes on."
On the men's side, the Red & White return three harriers who placed inside the top 40 at last season's NEC Championships in Michael Mason, Giovanni Prestipino and Matthew Vene, while captains James Moore and Jordan Leon look poised to continue ushering success within the program as the Pios look to make waves in the MAAC.
"Our top returning all came back from the summer in great shape and should be able to put together their best cross country seasons yet," said Morrison. "We also have 4-5 freshmen who should be in the varsity mix, too, along with several other returning athletes."
Start time for this weekend's season opener is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Stony Brook University. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.
"The MAAC is quite a bit stronger in cross country than our previous conference, so we have our work cut out for us," said head coach Christian Morrison. "I will say that both of our teams, looked better during our preseason than they have in the past 6-7 years, so we're excited to see how we can do this season, and we hope to surprise a few of the MAAC teams that are ranked ahead of us."
The Red & White begin the season down the I-95 corridor, heading to Long Island this weekend before getting a preview of this season's MAAC Championship course, participating in the Manhattan University Jasper Fall Invitational at Twin Ponds on the Farm in Montgomery, N.Y. on September 14. The Pios will race on September 28 at a site to be determined before heading to Hopkinton Fairgrounds for the 112th Annual New England Cross Country Championships on October 12.
SHU begins the latter half of the 2024 slate with a return to Saint Albans, Vt., racing at the University of Vermont Fall Foliage Invitational (10/20) before heading just up the road to New Britian, Conn., to race at the 20th Annual Central Connecticut State Mini-Meet (10/25) to conclude the regular season. The Pios then return to Twin Ponds on the Farm to race in the MAAC Championships before heading back to Hopkinton, N.H. for the NCAA DI Northeast Regional Cross Country Championships.
SHU returns a plethora of talent this season on both squads with the women's team returning five of the top six team finishers from last season's Northeast Conference (NEC) Championships. Two-time NEC Rookie of the Week Grace DelGiorno and teammate Samantha Apostolico return to the squad for their sophomore campaigns after earning NEC Al-Rookie Team honors last season while Kelly Parker, Keegan Pepin, Jessica Pigott and Grace Sousa return as part of the leadership group for this season.
"I must say, our women's captains all look ready to run faster than ever this year," said Morrison. "We also have so many different athletes who could mix into our top 5-7 that it's hard to predict. We're excited to see how things shake out as the season goes on."
On the men's side, the Red & White return three harriers who placed inside the top 40 at last season's NEC Championships in Michael Mason, Giovanni Prestipino and Matthew Vene, while captains James Moore and Jordan Leon look poised to continue ushering success within the program as the Pios look to make waves in the MAAC.
"Our top returning all came back from the summer in great shape and should be able to put together their best cross country seasons yet," said Morrison. "We also have 4-5 freshmen who should be in the varsity mix, too, along with several other returning athletes."
Start time for this weekend's season opener is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Stony Brook University. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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