Temple University Athletics
Friday, August 30
Bethlehem, Pa.
Temple University
at
Lehigh Invitational
'][' Above All: Men’s Cross Country Poised for Excellence in 2019
8.28.19 | Men's Cross Country
PHILADELPHIA—Temple men's cross country has put in the work, as the squad has been building for this fall since wrapping up the best season in program history in 2018. The Owls are ready to represent the Cherry and White and unleash the product of their months of diligent training, dedication and focus. Temple will open its 2019 season this Friday, Aug. 30, at the Lehigh Invitational.
In his seventh season leading the cross country program, head coach James Snyder, along with assistant coach Tyler Deck Shipley, are confident that the team has the ability to move the needle and build upon last year's successes. Kicking off the season with regional and national recognition, the Owls received a vote in the national polls for the first time in program history and are ranked fifth in the USTFCCCA preseason poll for the Mid-Atlantic Region.
"The way you improve as a program and win championships is by looking around the room and knowing that everybody wants the exact same thing," said Snyder. "From top to bottom on our roster right now, I've never been more confident in the group of men we have here."
Last season, the Cherry and White made history at the American Athletic Conference Championships, earning second place overall behind nationally-ranked Tulsa. The Owls continued their post-season at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional, where they placed sixth for the best finish in program history.
To conclude the 2018 season, the Owls competed at the IC4A Championships in New York. Jensen won the final race of the season, making the individual IC4A champion a Temple runner for the second straight year and wrapping up the best season in Temple men's cross country history.
This year's team is rallying around a phrase that they aim to embody in training, in competition and in the classroom: '][' Above All.
"'][' Above All means that the team is bigger than the individual," explained Snyder. "It's team above self."
This motto that fosters a culture of accountability and unity will propel the Owls to achieve their goals this season. After placing second at last year's AAC Championships, Temple has its sights set on standing at the top of the podium, as well as making their mark on the regional and national stages.
"Being in the mix to win a conference title is on the forefront of our minds," said Snyder. "We were second last year to Tulsa and the idea of climbing the regional ranks to be a team that can be in the mix for nationals is the other goal that we are aspiring to."
The Owls return a strong core group of runners this season, led by captains Jensen and Kevin Lapsansky. Jensen and Lapsansky, along with Zach Seiger and Lou Corgliano earned All-Conference honors in 2018. Jensen and Seiger continued to rack up accolades, securing All-Region honors for their standout performances at the NCAA-Mid Atlantic Regional.
"We graduated Lou Corgliano, who was a top five guy last year," said Snyder. "Our top two guys at the conference meet, Zach and Kristian, are in great shape right now and are training well. They have big goals for what they can do individually this year. In addition, Kevin and Donovan Mears, who have been in our top 5 in the past, are training well and working hard. Donovan has really transformed himself. He can be difference maker for us and contribute to the success of the program."
Redshirt senior Harry Powell also promises to be a key contributor for the Cherry and White. Powell finished 16th at the conference meet to help the Owls achieve their program-best finish. A handful of newcomers and veterans will also be influential in helping Temple prepare and build for the future.
"Harry, who is in his second year here, has an opportunity to leave his mark and make an impact," said Snyder. "It is exciting to see how that will transpire. We also have some newcomers too. We have a transfer, David Westcott, who is a DIII All-American. I can envision him coming in right away and helping us out. We will also rely on returners to help take us to that next level."
With this year's seasoned squad, Temple is building off its philosophy from the winter season in which the team emphasizes the training and does not compete as often. The Cherry and White will lace up for competition every three weeks in the fall. Those three-week blocks of training will be instrumental to the team's success this year.
The Owls will kick off fall racing at the Lehigh Invitational on Friday, Aug. 30 at the Goodman Campus Cross Country Course. Following a three-week hiatus from racing, the team is back in action for the Iona Meet of Champions on Friday, Sept. 20. Temple will traverse the Van Cortlandt Park course at 10 a.m.
Next up on the slate for some of the younger members of the squad is the Paul Short Run at Lehigh. The top group of runners will return to racing on Friday, Oct. 18 to wrap up the regular season at the Penn State National Invitational.
Temple will begin post-season competition with a trip down to Memphis, Tenn. for the American Athletic Conference Championships on Nov. 1. Two weeks later on Friday, Nov. 15, the Owls will compete in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional in Bethlehem, Pa.
"If we didn't have a mature group of guys who I know are incredibly focused, I probably wouldn't have spaced the schedule out the way that I did," said Snyder. "I think we are at a point and time in our program where, with the athletes we have, having more time where they can focus in on the training and hit some of those quality sessions will allow us to be at our best in October and November for the conference and regional meet."
The Owls' training has them primed to be fit, sharp and focused when it matters the most. This approach, paired with a formidable group of veterans and promising newcomers, has the Cherry and White are poised for excellence in 2019.
"I can say that this is the most talented group of men we've ever had in this program," said Snyder. "The captains will steer the ship and lead us to where we want to go. I am excited to be along for the ride and see all the things we will accomplish this fall."
In his seventh season leading the cross country program, head coach James Snyder, along with assistant coach Tyler Deck Shipley, are confident that the team has the ability to move the needle and build upon last year's successes. Kicking off the season with regional and national recognition, the Owls received a vote in the national polls for the first time in program history and are ranked fifth in the USTFCCCA preseason poll for the Mid-Atlantic Region.
"The way you improve as a program and win championships is by looking around the room and knowing that everybody wants the exact same thing," said Snyder. "From top to bottom on our roster right now, I've never been more confident in the group of men we have here."
Last season, the Cherry and White made history at the American Athletic Conference Championships, earning second place overall behind nationally-ranked Tulsa. The Owls continued their post-season at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional, where they placed sixth for the best finish in program history.
To conclude the 2018 season, the Owls competed at the IC4A Championships in New York. Jensen won the final race of the season, making the individual IC4A champion a Temple runner for the second straight year and wrapping up the best season in Temple men's cross country history.
This year's team is rallying around a phrase that they aim to embody in training, in competition and in the classroom: '][' Above All.
"'][' Above All means that the team is bigger than the individual," explained Snyder. "It's team above self."
This motto that fosters a culture of accountability and unity will propel the Owls to achieve their goals this season. After placing second at last year's AAC Championships, Temple has its sights set on standing at the top of the podium, as well as making their mark on the regional and national stages.
"Being in the mix to win a conference title is on the forefront of our minds," said Snyder. "We were second last year to Tulsa and the idea of climbing the regional ranks to be a team that can be in the mix for nationals is the other goal that we are aspiring to."
The Owls return a strong core group of runners this season, led by captains Jensen and Kevin Lapsansky. Jensen and Lapsansky, along with Zach Seiger and Lou Corgliano earned All-Conference honors in 2018. Jensen and Seiger continued to rack up accolades, securing All-Region honors for their standout performances at the NCAA-Mid Atlantic Regional.
"We graduated Lou Corgliano, who was a top five guy last year," said Snyder. "Our top two guys at the conference meet, Zach and Kristian, are in great shape right now and are training well. They have big goals for what they can do individually this year. In addition, Kevin and Donovan Mears, who have been in our top 5 in the past, are training well and working hard. Donovan has really transformed himself. He can be difference maker for us and contribute to the success of the program."
Redshirt senior Harry Powell also promises to be a key contributor for the Cherry and White. Powell finished 16th at the conference meet to help the Owls achieve their program-best finish. A handful of newcomers and veterans will also be influential in helping Temple prepare and build for the future.
"Harry, who is in his second year here, has an opportunity to leave his mark and make an impact," said Snyder. "It is exciting to see how that will transpire. We also have some newcomers too. We have a transfer, David Westcott, who is a DIII All-American. I can envision him coming in right away and helping us out. We will also rely on returners to help take us to that next level."
With this year's seasoned squad, Temple is building off its philosophy from the winter season in which the team emphasizes the training and does not compete as often. The Cherry and White will lace up for competition every three weeks in the fall. Those three-week blocks of training will be instrumental to the team's success this year.
The Owls will kick off fall racing at the Lehigh Invitational on Friday, Aug. 30 at the Goodman Campus Cross Country Course. Following a three-week hiatus from racing, the team is back in action for the Iona Meet of Champions on Friday, Sept. 20. Temple will traverse the Van Cortlandt Park course at 10 a.m.
Next up on the slate for some of the younger members of the squad is the Paul Short Run at Lehigh. The top group of runners will return to racing on Friday, Oct. 18 to wrap up the regular season at the Penn State National Invitational.
Temple will begin post-season competition with a trip down to Memphis, Tenn. for the American Athletic Conference Championships on Nov. 1. Two weeks later on Friday, Nov. 15, the Owls will compete in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional in Bethlehem, Pa.
"If we didn't have a mature group of guys who I know are incredibly focused, I probably wouldn't have spaced the schedule out the way that I did," said Snyder. "I think we are at a point and time in our program where, with the athletes we have, having more time where they can focus in on the training and hit some of those quality sessions will allow us to be at our best in October and November for the conference and regional meet."
The Owls' training has them primed to be fit, sharp and focused when it matters the most. This approach, paired with a formidable group of veterans and promising newcomers, has the Cherry and White are poised for excellence in 2019.
"I can say that this is the most talented group of men we've ever had in this program," said Snyder. "The captains will steer the ship and lead us to where we want to go. I am excited to be along for the ride and see all the things we will accomplish this fall."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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