University of Massachusets Athletics

Sonny Gamble is one of the key returning runners for the Minutemen.

Cross Country Opens Season At Dartmouth Invitational

September 10, 2008 | Men's Cross Country

Sept. 10, 2008

Hanover, N.H. - The upcoming 2008 season promises to be an exciting one for the UMass men's cross country squad. Picked third in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, Coach Ken O'Brien has compiled a team dominated by upperclassmen. With only two newcomers, the Minutemen look to build on their success from last season.

The Minutemen will be led by seniors Jesse Regnier and Nils Fischer. Regnier has been one of the front runners for the Minutemen since his arrival on the team three years ago. Last year, he finished the cross country season by placing 15th overall in the 8K at the ECAC Championships. A standout on the track team as well, he ended his track season by placing 24th overall in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the NCAA East Regional meet. Fischer returns to UMass as the squad's number one runner from two years ago after spending last season on exchange in Europe.

Coach O'Brien, in his 42nd season as the men's cross country coach, will rely on the team depth as a strong point for this year's squad.

Joining Regnier and Fischer will be five juniors--Andrew McCann, Andrew Mulvaney, Sonny Gamble, Nicolai Naranjo, and Jonathan Pierce. McCann returns as the Minutemen's top placer in the majority of races last season. He placed first on the team in four of six meets he competed in, recording his best time at the New England Championships to place ninth overall. Naranjo is expected to have a breakout season, as he was a major contributor to last year's team. To complete the season, he finished third on the team and 26th overall at the ECAC Championships.

After gaining one year of experience, sophomore standout Jeff Hill is poised for another strong season. Finishing first on the team in three races last year, Hill should continue to make an impact for the Minutemen.

The cross country season begins Sept. 13 at the Dartmouth Invitational in Hanover, New Hampshire. The Minutemen then host a five-way meet with Colgate, UConn, Maine, and Vermont coming to Amherst on Sept. 20.

The schedule will not become easier as the team travels to Bethlehem, Pa. to compete in the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University on Oct. 3 before heading to the New England Championships in Boston on Oct. 11. One week later, the Minutemen ship out to Indiana State for the SU Pre-Nationals. On Nov. 1, the Atlantic 10 Championships will be held in Charlotte, N.C. Finishing out the season, the Minutemen will compete in the Regional Qualifier (Bronx, N.Y.) on Nov. 15 and the NCAA Championships on the Nov. 24 at Indiana State.

Players Mentioned

/ Men's Cross Country
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