Boston College Athletics
1999 Boston College Men's Cross Country Outlook
August 11, 1999 | Men's Track & Field
Aug. 11, 1999
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Armed with a solid corps of returnees, Head Coach Randy Thomas is confident that his men's cross country squad can find its way into the middle of the ultra-competitive BIG EAST Conference.
Competing in a conference considered among the most competitive and balanced in America, the Eagles will look to make headway on their way to a berth in the season-ending NCAA Championships.
"I'm actually really excited about the season," Thomas said. "I think this is a great opportunity to remain competitive. I'll do my part and the kids will do their part."
Leading the stable of returning letterwinners are a trio of Canadians - seniors co-captains Marshall Armitage and Derek Holland and junior Justin Burdon. All three saw their 1998 fall campaign cut short by a rash of injuries which almost resembled a domino effect, according to Thomas.
"It was one bad break after another last season," Thomas said. "For us to be successful those three will have to stay healthy." An altered, less intense summer training regimen coupled with a year of wisdom and experience should pay dividends to the three as all will be counted on by Thomas to place within the top 12 of the BIG EAST during the conference meet.
"All three have been in the top 20 in the BIG EAST before," Thomas said. "If they can all somehow get into the top 12, we will have a good chance." Burdon, a Niagara Falls product, was the first runner to cross the finish line in the 1998 season opener against Connecticut and New Hampshire. Progressing solidly through the first month-and-a-half of the season he suffered a bout of mononucleosis which put a stop to his season.
Holland, who was befelled by bronchial pneumonia at about the same time Burdon was stricken, is a runner that Thomas believes can join Armitage at the head of the pack.
Armitage, a seasoned veteran with a knack for producing in important races, will look to end his Boston College cross country career with a bang.
The Eagles' next two runners will come from the sophomore class with Nathan Buttrick and Colin Wolfe looking to capitalize on their experiences of 1998.
Buttrick, whose season-long improvement was highlighted by a 57th place finish at the BIG EAST Championships will look to blend with Wolfe, who placed 65th in the New England Championships and 75th in BIG EAST championship.
Freshmen that Thomas expects to make an impact include Shawn Wallace and Matt Kootman. Kootman, from the same hometown as heralded women's cross country newcomers Cate and Maggie Guiney will look to combine with Wallace, whom Thomas sees as more of a track specialist to round out Boston College's top seven.
Sophomore Ryan Stanton, whose season was highlighted with a 17th place showing at the Boston Cross Country festival, will look to add depth.
