Iona College Men's Team
2002 Cross Country Preview & Results

Dubliner Mick Bryne's Iona Gaels have come a long way since they began the season ranked 21st in the Mondo-Division I Men's Cross Country Pre-Season Poll. In the most recent poll, Iona has moved up to #6 in the poll. The meteoric rise is due to their stellar performance at the Pre-National Meet held in Indiana on 19th October. They are also ranked #1 in the Northeast ahead of Providence and Dartmouth.

Iona began the season as a question mark with some talented returnees but lacked depth. The team is led by another formidable 1-2 combination of Peter Riley (Lancashire, England) and Richard Kiplagat from Kenya. If Scotsman Graeme Reid runs consistently, the Iona team can go far. Another addition to the mix is the experience that St Malachy's Joe McAlister brings to the team. McAlister is a transfer from Loughborough University. Mark Smyth from Sligo who redshirted last spring is coming to cross country season with legs. 'Tis fitting that the United Nations is in New York as Iona' cross-country team that placed second at Pre-National meet was comprised of athletes from seven different countries! In the order they finished, Riley (England), Kiplagat (Kenya), Reid (Scotland), Smyth (Ireland), McAlister (Northern Ireland, though he's declared for the Republic), Nigel Wray (Canada) and Tyler Cardinal (USA).

Mark Smyth - photo by
Randy Miyazaki Ditphoto.com

Mark Smyth

The Iona men's cross country team placed second at the 2002 Asics Pacesetter Pre-Nationals "White Race" on the campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana on 19th October. The Gaels tallied 125 points in finishing second then ninth ranked Weber State, and seventh-ranked Georgetown on the 8k-course. Senior Peter Riley was Iona's top finisher, placing 10th overall in a time of 24.19 with Mark Smyth in 38th place (24.41). Junior Joe McAlister rounded out the Gael scorers, finishing 43rd (24.45).

Iona hosted the Brother Doyle Meet of Champions at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, New York on 28th September. Riley won the 5-mile race in 24.31.7 with Joe McAlister placing 5th in 24:57, Mark Smyth (North Sligo AC) in 19th in 25.36 and Sean Connolly (Tallaght, Co. Dublin) in 40th in 25.57.

Iona won the Stony Brook sponsored Seawolves Invitational on 7th September. Mark Smyth captured individual honours at Sunken Meadow State Park, in Long Island, New York covering the 5-k course in 15.58.


 

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