LHU men’s cross country team picked third in PSAC preseason coaches’ poll
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced Thursday the 2021 preseason men’s cross country coaches’ poll and the Lock Haven University men’s cross country team was picked to finish third of 16 total teams.
Edinboro was picked as the favorite on the men’s side and Shippensburg grabbed the No. 2 spot. The Bald Eagles held down the No. 3 ranking, one spot ahead of Gannon at No. 4 and Indiana (Pa.) was slotted fifth. The full rankings are listed below.
Edinboro, Shippensburg and Lock Haven have finished among the top-three at the last five PSAC championships meets.
For LHU, the Bald Eagles have finished among the top-three at nine of the last 10 championship outings, including a top-three showing for three consecutive seasons. Lock Haven’s last team title came in 2015 and was the third of three straight team championships from 2013-2015.
Although the 2020-21 season started in late February, looked a little different and was shorter than normal because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Bald Eagles did compete on the cross country course last season and the PSAC held a championship.
The 2020-21 PSAC championships were held on March 20 on Lock Haven’s home course and the Bald Eagles finished third overall, thanks to five individual All-Conference finishes. Three of those five All-Conference runners return, including John Davern, an experienced veteran, who is coming off a great outdoor track and field season as well. Gage Krall and Tanner Walter also ran to All-Conference honors as true-freshmen in March.
Back in 2019, LHU was second at the PSAC championships, before placing fourth at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region championship meet.
On Thursday, September 2, LHU will officially open the 2021 season and it will come in traditional fashion as the Bald Eagles will host Division I Penn State in dual-meet action. The September 2 Dolan Duals vs. Penn State will be one of four collegiate meets that Lock Haven will host. One of those four meets hosted by The Haven this fall will be the 2021 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region championships.
The 2021 PSAC championships are scheduled for Friday, October 22 at Kutztown University. The full 2021 LHU men’s cross country schedule is available at GoLHU.com.
2021 PSAC Men’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll – –
1. Edinboro
2. Shippensburg
3. Lock Haven
4. Gannon
5. IUP
6. Slippery Rock
7. Seton Hill
8. Cal U
9. Bloomsburg
10. Kutztown
11. East Stroudsburg
12. West Chester
13. Mansfield
14. Mercyhurst
15. Pitt-Johnstown
16. Shepherd
