Dec. 5, 2011

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - The Navy women's indoor track and field team has been selected to repeat as 2012 Patriot League Indoor Champions, according to the league's preseason poll, which is voted on by Patriot League coaches and sports information contacts. The Navy men have been picked to finish second, just two points behind Army.

The Navy women's team received 11 first place votes and tallied 95 total points to take first in the preseason prognosis. Bucknell, the 2011 runner-up, was picked to finish second with 85 points, followed by Army (69), Lehigh (68), Lafayette (39), Colgate (38), Holy Cross (36) and American (15).

Head coach Carla Criste led Navy to the 2011 team title by totaling 157 points, 40 points ahead of second-place Bucknell. Navy won nine of the 20 events. The Mids return Patriot League Track-Athlete of the Meet Jess Palacio and the team already picked up five duals wins at the season-opening Navy Lidlifter last week. The women's team will next compete at the Delaware Invitational on January 6.

Although the Navy men's indoor team also won the team title last season, the squad was picked to finish second in 2012. Army received eight first place votes to lead the way with 90 points and Navy was right behind them with 88 points and four first-place votes. Bucknell garnered the final four first-place votes to tally 78 points.

Lehigh was picked to finish fourth (62), followed by American (46), Lafayette (43), Colgate (26) and American (15). Last season, Navy was picked to finish third in the preseason poll, but won the indoor title, coming from behind to win the final four events to overtake rival Army.

The Navy men's team, led by head coach Stephen Cooksey, opened its season on Saturday by winning five events and posting seven IC4A-qualifying marks at the Navy Invitational. The Navy men will return to action on January 7 against Princeton in a home dual.

Bucknell will host the 2012 Patriot League Championships from February 17-19.

Patriot League Women's Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll
Team                                 Points (First-Place Votes)
1. Navy                              95 (11)
2. Bucknell                          88 (5)
3. Army                              69
4. Lehigh                            68
5. Lafayette                         39
6. Colgate                           38
7. Holy Cross                        36
8. American                          15

Patriot League Men's Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll
Team                                 Points (First-Place Votes)
1. Army                              90 (8)
2. Navy                              88 (4)
3. Bucknell                          78 (4)
4. Lehigh                            62
5. American                          46
6. Lafayette                         43
7. Colgate                           26
8. Holy Cross                        15