AU Men's Cross Country Team Receiving Votes in USTFCCCA National Poll

Sept. 25, 2007

WASHINGTON - After ranking 12th in Monday's Division I Cross Country Regional Rankings, the American University men's cross country team was recognized in a second U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll. The Eagles are receiving votes in the Division I Cross Country National Poll, which recognizes the top 30 programs in the country, USTFCCCA officials announced Tuesday.

"We are very proud to be included in this group," Head Coach Matt Centrowitz said. "This list is comprised of the elite programs in the country and it is both humbling and an honor to even be mentioned with them. We have gotten ourselves off to a good start this year but I believe our best running is still ahead of us."

AU has competed in three meets thus far this year. In their season opener, the Eagles placed second at the Mount St. Mary's Invitational behind the running of senior Brian McCabe (New Rochelle, N.Y./Fordham Prep), sophomore Greg Leach (Little Silver, N.J./Holmdel Park) and freshman Conor Sullivan (New City, N.Y./Don Bosco Prep), all of whom placed in the top 10. For his second-place finish, McCabe was named the Patriot League's Male Runner of the Week.

American next competed at the Navy Invitational where it took fourth place. Steve Hallinan (Drexel Hill, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara), competing in his first meet of the year, was AU's top finisher placing fourth. His time of 24:05.00 was the 12th fastest time in course history. Carlos Jamieson (Garnerville, N.Y./North Rockland) also placed in the top 10.

Last weekend, at the Iona Meet of Champions, Hallinan again led the Eagles with a second-place finish. The senior's time of 25:03.00 put him just three-tenths of a second behind the meet's winner and helped AU to fifth place in the 21 team field. Hallinan earned the PL's Male Runner of the Week award for his efforts and was also named the American University Student-Athlete of the Week presented by GEICO. For the second week in a row, Jamieson joined Hallinan among the top 10 and Brendan Fennell (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) placed 12.

The Eagles will be in action again this Friday, Sept. 28, when they travel to Manassas, Va., for the George Mason Invitational.

For more information on the USTFCCCA and a complete look at the poll, click here.