Aug. 21, 2012

PHILADELPHIA - The men's cross country has been predicted to finish third in the 2012 Atlantic 10 Championships, according to the Atlantic 10 head coaches' ranking.

With an average time of 24:57.92 and a total of 74 points, Saint Joseph's finished third at the 2011 Atlantic 10 Championship behind first place La Salle and runner up Duquesne. Returning A-10 All Conference senior, Jon Mazzio, finished seventh at last year's championship with a time of 24:42. Sophomore Paul Szulewski earned Rookie of the Year honors as the top finishing rookie at the championship, finishing the 8K course in 25:07.4 and giving him 18th place overall.

The Hawks return 18 runners in all, including seniors Mazzio, Patrick Donnelly, John Eastman, Dave Manion, and Andrew Townsend.

The 2012 Men's Cross Country Championship will be hosted by Temple at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia, Pa. on Oct. 27.

2012 A-10 Men's Cross Country Predicted Order of Finish (2011 Conference Championship Finish)

1. La Salle (1st)

2. Butler (Horizon League 1st out of 10)

3. Saint Joseph's (3rd)

4. Duquesne (2nd)

5. Dayton (4th)

6. Richmond (7th)

7. Massachusetts (5th)

8. Fordham (6th)

9. Xavier (8th)

10. Charlotte (9th)

11. Temple (10th)

12. Saint Louis (11th)

13. VCU (CAA 5th out of 7)

14. Rhode Island (12th)

15. George Washington (13th)

16. St. Bonaventure (14th)