Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Ivy League Battle is Upon Us as Heps Comes to Princeton on Saturday
October 31, 2014 | Men's Cross Country
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PRINCETON, N.J. (10/31/14) - Princeton will host the 2014 Ivy League Heptagonal Championship on Saturday, Nov. 1 at West Windsor Fields. The 8k race is slated to begin at noon.
"The Ivy battle this weekend is going to be maybe the most intense in Division I," it was stated on U.S. Track & Field at the Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Web site.
Princeton may be looked at as a heavy favorite, despite the tremendous parity in the league. Three factors swaying that prediction: 1) Princeton is receiving votes in the USTFCCA national poll, the only Ivy team to be recognized. 2) The Tigers have won six of the last eight Heps titles. 3) Princeton has raced six of the other Ivy League teams this year and hasn't lost to any of the them.
Scoring in all three meets this year have been senior Sam Pons, senior Matt McDonald, and junior Michael Sublette. Pons was the No. 1 at HYP and Notre Dame and was the No. 3 at Wisconsin. He is the top returning scorer from last year's Heps, as he was 15th overall at 24:02. Another returning scorer from last year's Heps is McDonald. He was 16th a year ago at 24:05 and was the team's No. 1 just two weeks ago at Wisconsin. He also has been the team's No. 2 and 4 this year. Sublette was the No. 5 last weekend but has also been the No. 3 and 2 this year. Other scorers this year that will be racing Saturday include: senior Mike Mazzaccaro, junior Sam Berger, sophomore William Paulson and freshman Wolfgang Beck. Senior Eddie Owens, junior Brett Kelly, sophomore William Bertrand, sophomore Jack Leahey and freshman Noah Kauppila will also be competing in the Orange & Black.
Last year the Tigers finished second, falling short of their fourth straight crown by eight points as Columbia took the title.
For more information on the league meet, visit the Ivy League Web site.