March 20, 2008
2008 Outdoor Track and Field Webguide 
Center Valley, Pa. - The Bucknell Bison were selected to finish first by the eight Patriot League head coaches and sports information directors in the Women's Outdoor Track and Field Preseason Poll, it was announced Thursday. Coaches and sports information directors were not allowed to vote for their own team.
The Bison received 12 of 16 first-place votes and had a total of 96 overall points. Bucknell, which has won nine outdoor titles, including four in a row, will look to accomplish the feat once again in 2008. 2007 Patriot League Coach of the Year Kevin Donner will have the benefit of a strong corps of upperclassmen returning to this year's team, including 2007 First-Team All-Patriot League members Erin Cranmer-Hart, Victoria Gilbert, Offeibia Hanson-Hall, Amy Mantush and Christy Totten.
Lafayette finished second in the preseason poll, as they collected the remaining four first-place votes and 86 points overall. The Leopards will return a trio of 2007 First-Team All-Patriot League performers from the field events a season ago. Senior Ashley Harbin (hammer throw), junior Osasumwen Izevbigie (shot put) and senior Kristen Kalinowski (heptathlon) each return in 2008. Freshman Janica Austin, who had an impressive indoor season, will be a strong contender in the sprint events.
The Midshipmen of Navy come in third in the poll with 74 points overall. The Mids will rely on the senior leadership of Captain Jacqui Charnigo, who returns as a contender in the pole vault. The Mids are coming off a second-place finish in last year's event, and will try and close the gap at the '08 meet.
Fourth place in the preseason poll went to the Black Knights of Army, who tallied 64 overall points. The Black Knights welcome five 2007 First-Team All-Patriot League performers back this season, as Lesa Boyd, Katelin Grant, Janelle Jones, Heather Owney and Ebony Thomas will all look to repeat as champions in their respective events.
Lehigh (49 points), Holy Cross (34), Colgate (28) and American (17) round out the '08 poll.
All eight teams will compete at the Patriot League Outdoor Track and Field Championship on May 2-3 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
2008 Patriot League Preseason Women's Outdoor Track and Field Poll
Team (First-Place Votes), Points
1. Bucknell (12) 96
2. Lafayette (4) 86
3. Navy 74
4. Army 64
5. Lehigh 49
6. Holy Cross 34
7. Colgate 28
8. American 17
