Aug. 14, 2003

Lancaster, PA - The Johns Hopkins women's cross country team was picked to finish fifth in the Centennial Conference for the 2003 season while the men's team was picked to finish in sixth place in the preseason poll by the conference's head coaches.

The Blue Jay women tallied 43 points in the poll. Haverford was picked first with 80 total points and received six of the 10 first-place votes, while Dickinson received the final four first-place votes and was second with 75 points. Rounding out the top five were Gettysburg (63), Swarthmore (61), and Hopkins. Muhlenberg (41), Bryn Mawr (32), McDaniel (30), Franklin & Marshall (15), and Ursinus (14) completed the women's poll.

Senior Anna Stirgwolt, who recorded the top time in three races last season, will lead a team consisting of underclassmen. Sophomore Emily Chisholm (Ashburn, VA/Broad Run) is returning after an impressive rookie season, when she had the top time in four races. Juniors Maureen Kimsey (Branchburg, NJ/Somerville) and Peggy Chu (Columbia, MD/River Hill) will add quality depth for the Blue Jays.

On the men's side, the Blue Jays received 33 points, while Haverford took the top spot with 64 points and eight of the nine first-place votes. Muhlenberg was in second place with 54 points, while Dickinson finished in third place with 50 votes and the final first place vote. Swarthmore (43) and Gettysburg (35) completed the top five, while Hopkins, Franklin & Marshall (19), McDaniel (17), and Ursinus (9) rounded out the men's poll.

The Hopkins men will be led by senior Steven Chu (Columbia, MD/River Hill), a 2002 Second Team All Conference selection. Chu only participated in two races throughout last season and recorded the top time in both events. The team also consists of a solid nucleus of underclassmen, including sophomores Nick Sousa, Gabe Tobkin (Santa Barbara, CA/San Marcos), and Jason Farber (Amherst, MA/Amherst Regional), who each finished with top times during the 2002 season.

The men and women open their seasons hosting the Baltimore Metro Invitational at Oregon Ridge Park on Saturday, September 6 at 10:00 a.m.

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