SJU Athletics Photos

PHILADELPHIA (09/08/03) -- Veteran men's cross country skipper Mike Glavin has no qualms about discussing his team's problems. Actually, if every team in the Atlantic 10 had Glavin's issues, then there would be a much larger pack competing for the conference crown. “Our top four guys are back and we have nine guys trying to get into the top seven,” the quoteable Glavin said. “That's a good problem to have.” The Hawks indeed return the top four harriers from a team that finished second in the Atlantic 10 Conference for the second consecutive season. Add in possibly the deepest team in Glavin's tenure and this edition could be one of the better squads in recent memory. “It's going to be one of the better teams we've had in the last three or four years,” Glavin said. “Considering that we've been first or second in the last three years, that's saying something.” The optimism is based mostly around the impressive sophomore class that had little problem adjusting to the collegiate level last season. True sophomores Andre Laboy, Joe Mohn and Mike DiDio, along with redshirt sophomore Richie Anderson, all spent time in the Hawks' top three last fall. Laboy hopes to avoid a sophomore slump after one of the more impressive rookie campaigns in Hawk history. His third place finish at the Atlantic 10 Championships earned him Most Outstanding Rookie honors and the best conference showing by a SJU freshman since former Hawk Mark des Garennes also finished third in 1992. Despite his laid back personality, Laboy “is a very aggressive runner in competition”, according to Glavin. He will look to repeat his All-Conference and all-East performance of last season. Mohn also had a strong rookie campaign, despite often being overshadowed by his Danbury, Connecticut neighbor. The lanky runner finished ninth at A-10s, good for All-Conference honors, and was 18th at the IC4A Championships, earning him All-East recognition. Another “extremely aggressive runner in competition”, DiDio finished third consistently for SJU and Glavin comments that the Churchville, Pa. product “always looks like he's running beyond what's expected of him.” Anderson, hampered by injuries for a portion of his tenure on Hawk Hill, began to show signs of his All-American potential as a high school runner. He led Saint Joseph's at the prestigious Notre Dame Invitational and if he can remain healthy, could be a contender for all-conference citations. Things don't drop off much once the lineup gets past the top four. Junior Collin Martin has dedicated himself over the summer, running 80-90 mile weeks. “Collin is going to be a four year progression,” Glavin said. “He was much better last year than freshman year and already looks better this fall.” The Hawks' fifth runner at A-10s last November, Martin could be a wild card for SJU's success this season. After those five runners, five more upperclassmen will be clawing their way for a spot in the top seven. Senior captain Rich Cullin, senior Greg Rosetti, senior Rob Hewitt, junior Brad Schmidt, and sophomore Dave Masse all have progressed during their careers. Simply due to their age and mileage, the seniors especially should make an impact. Schmidt is more of a miler and half-miler, but could sneak into the top seven and Masse has made strides since his rookie campaign. Glavin also welcomes a bumper crop of seven freshmen including several with impressive prep accolades. Teddy Meyers finished in the top six at the PIAA State Championships and Robbie Meyer was a two-time district cross country champion. This fall's slate again will be competitive, highlighted by the Notre Dame Invitational in early October. A month later, Saint Joseph's will host the Atlantic 10 Championships at nearby Belmont Plateau, a frequent training course for the Hawks. The advantage, however, will be nearly nullified as La Salle, the two-time defending league champions, also train at Belmont. The Hawks should be neck and neck with their city rivals once again, but this year could be the year that SJU returns to the top spot in the Atlantic 10 for the first time since 2000.