The 2008 edition of Buccaneer men's cross country looks to dash to the top of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference standings, as longtime Massachusetts Maritime mentor Chris Ryan, the 2007 MASCAC Co-Coach of the Year, has a solid mix of veterans and newcomers in the fold.
A strong contingent of veteran harriers returns to Buzzards Bay, led by seniors Jesse Milton (Kingwood, Va.), Ben Mandelbaum (Tampa, Fla,) and two-time All-MASCAC runner Kyle Ingersoll (Wakefield, Mass.). The list of seasoned runners continues with juniors Jason McWhirter (Melvin Village, N.H.) and Matt Sturgis (Cummaquid, Mass.), who have each made significant contributions to the team. Ingersoll, Milton and Sturgis will serve as team captains for the 2008 season. Sophomores Patrick Dannaher (Arlington, Va), Brian Maniglia (Pennsville, N.J.) and Paul Matz (Plainville, Mass.) are also veteran runners.
Joining the men's squad this fall are freshmen Nicholas Fenton (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.), Alexander Picozza (Hopkinton, Mass.) and Jonathan Quigley (Braintree, Mass.)
Ryan's teams have been consistently strong over the past five years, finishing no lower than third-place since 2003 and capturing the Conference crown in 2005.
MMA runners have taken the 'Rookie of the Year' honors in three of the past five seasons. The 2007 Buccaneers finished third in the conference championship race.
Massachusetts Maritime begins the new campaign on Saturday, September 13th by hosting the Travis J. Fuller Invitational on campus at 10:30 a.m. EDT, as the Bucs are looking to take the title in the event for the 11th straight season.