Reloaded Men's Cross Country Tied for Seventh in PSAC Preseason Poll
8/25/2010 11:03:54 AM | Men's Cross Country
Millersville, Pa. - The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced its men's cross country preseason coaches' poll Wednesday, and it pegged the Millersville men's team in a tie for seventh. The Marauders, however, have much loftier expectations.
Most wouldn't expect much from the Millersville men's cross country team in 2010 after an 11th-place finish at the PSAC Championships last year, . But consider that the team's top six runners all redshirted in 2009 and that all six of those runners return with an extra season of training. Consider that each redshirted in 2009 with 2010 in mind.
With seniors Jim Boyer, Josh Foulds, juniors Zach Kelchner and Jared Kneebone, sophomore James McBride and redshirt freshman Seth Hibbs bolstering the roster, Coach Andy Young believes his team has what it takes to challenge the best in the PSAC. His runners believe it too.
“I talked with the guys before the season, and they have some pretty big goals,” said Young. “We want to make some noise this season. We know that Shippensburg, Lock Haven and Edinboro are pretty loaded. But we feel like we are pretty loaded too.”
Shippensburg was picked as the favorite with 10 first-place votes. Perennial contenders Lock Haven and Edinboro also received first place votes. Millersville was placed in a tie with Bloomsburg.
But nothing short of contending for a berth to the NCAA Championships will be satisfactory for this Millersville team. It certainly is a lofty goal since Millersville's best NCAA regional finish in the last four years was sixth place. The program's last national berth came in 2002.
This year's team, though, has the potential to return a program with 15 national appearances and the 1981 NCAA Division II Championship to its status as an elite program.
According to Young, Foulds, McBride and Boyer will be the team's top three runners. The last time the trio competed in cross country was 2008. Boyer placed 30th at the PSAC Championships and 29th at the regional. McBride—then a freshman—and Foulds also cracked the team's top five in both events. While McBride recovered from hip surgery, Boyer and Foulds trained with renewed intensity during the cross country season and turned in solid track seasons. Boyer placed eighth in the 5,000-meter run at the PSAC Indoor Championships and fifth in the steeplechase at the outdoor championships. Foulds placed seventh at the outdoor event in the 10,000-meter run.
Kelchner is also back with the team after a redshirt season. The junior consistently performed his best at big meets in 2008. He was the team's No. 3 finisher at both the conference and regional championships. Kneebone, who was plagued by foot problems during the fall of 2009, bounced back with a solid outdoor track season, running the team's best times in the 3,000 and 5,000-meter runs.
The key addition to the lineup, however, may be Seth Hibbs. Hibbs was an all-state cross country athlete at Hatboro-Horsham but a shoulder injury prevented him from competing during his first year with the Marauders. After sitting out the cross country season, he emerged during the indoor track season, posting the team's best time in the mile (4:24.97). He only continued to improve. At the PSAC Outdoor Championships, Hibbs placed 12th in the 1,500-meter run.
Despite not competing in cross country for two years, rust should not be a factor. The time away likely made each of them stronger runners.
“Just another year under their belts makes a big difference,” said Young. “If you put the work in over time, you'll get better every year. You'll continue to see improvements.”
While the six redshirted, cross country at Millersville carried on. Runners like sophomore Connor Veres gained valuable experience. The team may not have won meets, but it was a valuable learning experience for the young runners.
“It was good for them to see if they could be one of our top runners,” said Young. “They got experience and the pressure was on them. We learned a lot about who they were as athletes and people. We got to put more attention on them. I hope they are better runners for it.”
Junior Michael Parker also competed in the 2009 postseason events and will challenge for a spot in the lineup. Young also brought in a sizeable recruiting haul, so competition for a spot on the roster will be fierce. Young believes that some of the freshmen may be able to make an impact, but with so many established runners already in place, it will be a tough run.
Millersville opens its season on Saturday, Sept. 4 with the annual Marauder Alumni Open at Millersville Borough Freedom Park. It is the only home event of the year.
PSAC Preseason Poll
1. Shippensburg (10)
2. Lock Haven (3)
3. Edinboro (2)
4. East Stroudsburg
5. Slippery Rock
6. IUP
T7. Bloomsburg
T7. Millersville
9. California
10. Kutztown
11. Mansfield
12. West Chester
13. Mercyhurst
14. Gannon
15. Cheyney
Most wouldn't expect much from the Millersville men's cross country team in 2010 after an 11th-place finish at the PSAC Championships last year, . But consider that the team's top six runners all redshirted in 2009 and that all six of those runners return with an extra season of training. Consider that each redshirted in 2009 with 2010 in mind.
With seniors Jim Boyer, Josh Foulds, juniors Zach Kelchner and Jared Kneebone, sophomore James McBride and redshirt freshman Seth Hibbs bolstering the roster, Coach Andy Young believes his team has what it takes to challenge the best in the PSAC. His runners believe it too.
“I talked with the guys before the season, and they have some pretty big goals,” said Young. “We want to make some noise this season. We know that Shippensburg, Lock Haven and Edinboro are pretty loaded. But we feel like we are pretty loaded too.”
Shippensburg was picked as the favorite with 10 first-place votes. Perennial contenders Lock Haven and Edinboro also received first place votes. Millersville was placed in a tie with Bloomsburg.
But nothing short of contending for a berth to the NCAA Championships will be satisfactory for this Millersville team. It certainly is a lofty goal since Millersville's best NCAA regional finish in the last four years was sixth place. The program's last national berth came in 2002.
This year's team, though, has the potential to return a program with 15 national appearances and the 1981 NCAA Division II Championship to its status as an elite program.
According to Young, Foulds, McBride and Boyer will be the team's top three runners. The last time the trio competed in cross country was 2008. Boyer placed 30th at the PSAC Championships and 29th at the regional. McBride—then a freshman—and Foulds also cracked the team's top five in both events. While McBride recovered from hip surgery, Boyer and Foulds trained with renewed intensity during the cross country season and turned in solid track seasons. Boyer placed eighth in the 5,000-meter run at the PSAC Indoor Championships and fifth in the steeplechase at the outdoor championships. Foulds placed seventh at the outdoor event in the 10,000-meter run.
Kelchner is also back with the team after a redshirt season. The junior consistently performed his best at big meets in 2008. He was the team's No. 3 finisher at both the conference and regional championships. Kneebone, who was plagued by foot problems during the fall of 2009, bounced back with a solid outdoor track season, running the team's best times in the 3,000 and 5,000-meter runs.
The key addition to the lineup, however, may be Seth Hibbs. Hibbs was an all-state cross country athlete at Hatboro-Horsham but a shoulder injury prevented him from competing during his first year with the Marauders. After sitting out the cross country season, he emerged during the indoor track season, posting the team's best time in the mile (4:24.97). He only continued to improve. At the PSAC Outdoor Championships, Hibbs placed 12th in the 1,500-meter run.
Despite not competing in cross country for two years, rust should not be a factor. The time away likely made each of them stronger runners.
“Just another year under their belts makes a big difference,” said Young. “If you put the work in over time, you'll get better every year. You'll continue to see improvements.”
While the six redshirted, cross country at Millersville carried on. Runners like sophomore Connor Veres gained valuable experience. The team may not have won meets, but it was a valuable learning experience for the young runners.
“It was good for them to see if they could be one of our top runners,” said Young. “They got experience and the pressure was on them. We learned a lot about who they were as athletes and people. We got to put more attention on them. I hope they are better runners for it.”
Junior Michael Parker also competed in the 2009 postseason events and will challenge for a spot in the lineup. Young also brought in a sizeable recruiting haul, so competition for a spot on the roster will be fierce. Young believes that some of the freshmen may be able to make an impact, but with so many established runners already in place, it will be a tough run.
Millersville opens its season on Saturday, Sept. 4 with the annual Marauder Alumni Open at Millersville Borough Freedom Park. It is the only home event of the year.
PSAC Preseason Poll
1. Shippensburg (10)
2. Lock Haven (3)
3. Edinboro (2)
4. East Stroudsburg
5. Slippery Rock
6. IUP
T7. Bloomsburg
T7. Millersville
9. California
10. Kutztown
11. Mansfield
12. West Chester
13. Mercyhurst
14. Gannon
15. Cheyney
Millersville University MBB Post-game Interview with Aamir Hurst (February 14, 2026)
Saturday, February 14
Highlights: Millersville Men's Basketball vs. Lock Haven (February 14, 2026)
Saturday, February 14
Highlights: Millersville Women's Basketball vs. Lock Haven (February 14, 2026)
Saturday, February 14
Highlights: Millersville Men's Basketball vs. Mansfield (February 7, 2026)
Saturday, February 07
