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

The Providence College men's cross-country coached by Ray Treacy team began the season ranked eighth in the Mondo-Division I Men's Cross Country Pre-Season Poll. In the most recent poll, released 22nd October, the Friars are ranked 17th. As with the women's team, Treacy hopes to win the Big East Conference (1st November), qualify for the NCAA Championships (16th November) and take home a top 10 team placing at the Championships (25th November).

Last season, PC qualified for their seventh consecutive NCAA Cross Country Championship, where like the women's team they finished 10th. Graduation took its toll on Providence losing Hamish Thorpe (Auckland, New Zealand) and a pair of Irish runners.

Stalwart Dermot Galvin (Kilrush, Co. Clare) graduated and Paul Reilly (Loughrea, Co. Galway) has only track eligibility remaining. With Liam the "Reale Thing" redshirting (not competing) this season, only two Irish athletes are racing for PC this fall. Patrick Guidera (Clonmel, Co. Tipperary) gained valuable experience running last year's NCAA race (128th, 31.15) and at the Northeast Regional where he placed 22nd in 30.51. Guidera also ran personal bests last season on the track in the 5,000m (14.38.57) and in the 3,000m steeplechase (9.06.67). Providence welcomes Martin Fagan (Mullingar, Co. Westmeath) whose services they acquired via a quiet but competitive recruiting battle with other US college suitors. His impressive credentials include Irish Junior Inter-Counties Cross Country Champion and Irish Junior Outdoor 5,000 meter champion.

Patrick Guidera
photo by Alison Wade
New York Road Runners

Patrick Guidera

The Providence men's team won the New England Championships on 11th October at Franklin Park in Boston, Massachusetts with 46 points. Patrick Guidera placed 11th running 24.40 on the 8-kilometre course. Martin Fagan won the Junior Varsity race in 25.21. It was the 22nd New England Championships crown for the Friars.

The Friars team placed 6th (220 points) at the Roy Griak Invitational held in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 28th September. Patrick Guidera ran 25.10 (8k) to place 53rd.

PC scored 62 points to earn runner-up honours at the Dartmouth Invitational held in Hanover, New Hampshire on 14th September. Martin Fagan placed 15th running 25.55 for 8k.

Providence opened the season with a win at the New Hampshire Invitational on 6th September in Durham, New Hampshire. The Friars scored 24 points. Pat Guidera placed 4th in 25.16 on the 8-kilometre course.

Martin Fagan
photo by Clay Shaw

Martin Fagan #258

 

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