Firmly established as one of the very best programs in the country, the New York University men's cross country team enters the fall ready to challenge for a fifth straight University Athletic Association (UAA) title and its second national championship in four years.
Head coach
Nick McDonough's team won the big prize in 2007 and finished fourth in the nation last fall. Though the team will be without departed seniors
Zach Maher and
Calvin Lee, plenty of talent returns to ensure the Violets stay among the nation's best teams.
“We will miss two-time All-American (Maher), but we have a nice group of young guys looking to step up, just as (Maher) and Calvin (Lee) did after we won the national championship three years ago,” McDonough said.
Leading NYU's charge to another crown will be the senior duo of
Sebastian Schwelm and
Matt Turlip, who finished 30th and 38th, respectively, at last year's NCAA Championship.
“Matt and Seb have been here for our success the last three years and they want their senior year to be just as successful,” said McDonough.
Looking to step forward as consistent members of the top five this fall will be juniors
Ryan Boyd and
Andrew Zitek. A year ago, Boyd finished 31st at the NCAA Atlantic Regional and 131st at the NCAA Championship, while Zitek ran as the eighth man on the squad. He showed marked improvement during the track season, posting a personal best time of 14:46 in the 5,000 meters.
Other contributors returning this fall and looking to make their presence felt in the top seven are sophomores
Dylan Karten,
Kevin Bonilla,
Josh Shaffer,
Peter Murphy, and
James Patterson.
McDonough expects a solid recruiting class to lend depth to the team. Freshmen
James Goldstein,
Ross Wistar,
Dylan Nowik, and
James Hunt, among 12 newcomers, are expected to make an impact as the season moves along.
“We have some great senior leaders who have already run at a high level, and some great young guys ready to make their mark in the history of this program. It should be an interesting season,” said McDonough.
The Violets kick off their season on Sept. 4 at the Monmouth University Season Opener in Lincroft, NJ.
