POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The 2019 season begins for Marist men's and women's cross country this weekend at the Marist Season Opener, held at Vassar Farm and Ecological Preserve. On Saturday, August 31, the Red Foxes' first race will begin at 9 a.m., as the programs begin another season on the trails.
 
Following Saturday's races, a Senior Day ceremony will be held to honor members of the track and cross country teams for their dedication to the program.
 

THE COMPETITION

• Marist will face some stiff competition at the meet, with teams in attendance such as MAAC rivals Iona, Siena and Manhattan, as well as Central Connecticut State.
• The MAAC preseason favorite Gaels will be the team to beat, while the Saints were selected top three of the conference for both the men and women.

RED FOX RETURNERS

• As winners of both competitions at the past two season openers, Marist will aim to make it three-straight and start the year off on a strong note.
• The men will be guided by captains Conor Stack, Christopher Rivas, Alexander Hogue and Elias Platanias, while the women will be led by captains Alexandra Bartolotta, Denise Grohn and Maria Smith.

FRESH FACES

• The men's cross country program team is bringing in a talented group of ten freshmen. Hailing from all over the northeast, they will look to make an immediate impact at the season opener.
• Similarly, the women have added ten newcomers as well who are prepared to add to the depth of the championship-contending Red Foxes.

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

• The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Poll was released on Monday, where the league's 11 head coaches vote on where teams will place at the conference championships in November.
• The women were selected as runners-up for the second consecutive year, while the men were placed at fifth.

TROPHY HUNT

• The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships will be held on November 2 at Holmdel Park in Holmdel, New Jersey.
• The women have finished as second at the championship for the past two years, and are looking to get over the hump this season in their pursuit of the MAAC title.
• The men have consistently placed in the top five of the meet, and will seek to continue making noise in conference.

REGIONALLY RANKED

• The women were once again ranked as one of the top programs in the northeast at 11^th.
• The team appeared in the top-15 of the USTFCCCA Regional Rankings for every week of the 2018 season, and are prepared to continue this trend in the 2019 campaign.

PRESEASON MOVES

Here are some highlights from the preseason, starting with when the teams reported to campus.

The Red Fox results in the MAAC Preseason Poll! #GoRedFoxes #BeBetter pic.twitter.com/ZDpwh39ux6

— Marist XC and Track (@MaristXCTF) August 27, 2019