LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The IUP men's cross country program slotted third in the 2024 edition of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced Thursday afternoon.
Shippensburg was the overwhelming favorite in the preseason poll with 14 first-place votes, followed by Slippery Rock. IUP slots ahead of East Stroudsburg and Kutztown in the top five.
The complete poll, voted on by the league's head coaches, can be viewed below.
2024 season at a glance
IUP finished third at last year's conference championship meet and fifth at the 2024 Atlantic Region Championships. The Crimson Hawks return four All-PSAC Cross Country selections from 2023, including first team honorees
Joel Beckwith and
Mike Formica.
Dan Gibney and
Ethan Ribelin also return after picking up All-PSAC honors last season and figure to be key parts of the 2024 lineup. The Crimson Hawks boast strong depth in 2024 with a good mix of upperclassmen, along with 10 combined freshmen and sophomores.
Head coach
Joey Zins is set for his 16th season at the helm of the cross country program in the fall of 2024 and 17th season at IUP overall.
2024 schedule
The Crimson Hawks will be on the road for the entire 2024 slate, beginning with the West Liberty Invitational in Bethany on September 5.
The PSAC Championships take place October 26 before the NCAA Atlantic Regional race on November 9.
Alumni tailgate scheduled for September 28
All IUP cross country/track & field alumni are invited to a free tailgate on September 28 outside of Miller Stadium for the IUP/Clarion football game. Light refreshments and water will be provided. Please bring a comfortable chair, covered dish to share and beverage of your choice.
Register online
here by September 22. Be advised that gameday parking is $10 for lots surrounding Miller Stadium.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPathletics.com and follow IUP track & field on X (Twitter) @IUPTrackXC.
2024 PSAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
(# of first-place votes in parentheses)
1. Shippensburg (14)
2. Slippery Rock (1)
3. IUP
4. East Stroudsburg
5. Kutztown
6. California
7. Lock Haven
8. West Chester
9. Bloomsburg
10. Gannon
11. Edinboro
12. Pitt-Johnstown
13. Seton Hill
14. Mansfield
15. Shepherd
