University at Albany has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2008 America East Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship, according to a vote of the conference’s head coaches. The Great Danes received seven first-place votes (coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team), tallying 63 points. University of New Hampshire took two first-place votes in its second-place standing with 55 points.
Binghamton University (53 points) came in a close third, followed by UMBC (43 points) and Boston University (36 points). Stony Brook University (29), University of Maine (20), University of Vermont (17) and University of Hartford (8) rounded out the nine-team poll.
Albany looks to repeat coming off last year’s championship title. The Great Danes return last year's Most Outstanding Field Performer Joe Greene (Rochester, N.Y./Edison). Greene captured titles in the 400-meter dash, 400-meter hurdles and 4x4 relay. Junior Freddie Wills (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) will be a major contributor in jumping evets. Head coach Roberto Vives will also look for points from junior Pat Weider (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) in sprinting events.
New Hampshire will be led by its senior class in the 2008 season. Robert Edgerton (Cornish, N.H./Windsor) returns in the 800- and 1500-meter runs. Jordan Horwitz (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) will look to earn points in the 5000- and 10,000-meter runs. Matt Russell (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Canton) looks to score in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Matt Begley (Brookeville, Md./Sherwood) and junior Spencer Shaw (Hampton, N.H./Winnacunnet) should bring in points in the field events.
Binghamton's junior Justin Halleck (DePew, N.Y./Lancaster) will be one to watch in throwing events, and senior Kris Yelverton (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal), in the pole vault.
UMBC returns last year's Most Outstanding Rookie Keith Brown ( Columbia, Md./McDonogh ) who will contribute in sprints and hurdles as well as junior standout Anthony Kelhower (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) in middle distance and distance events.
Boston U. will be led by freshman Daniel Withrow (Dedham, Mass.) in throwing events as well as junior Eric Ashe (Hanson, Mass.) in the steeplecase and distance events.
Stony Brook's senior Justin Miller (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) returns as the team’s top thrower, while sophomore Alex Felce will be one to watch in the running events.
Maine will rely on senior Max Ludwig (South Portland, Maine/South Portland High School) and sophomore Skip Edwards (Portland, Maine/Portland High School) to lead the way as top finishers in sprints and hurdle events.
Vermont returns senior Sean Steinhagen (Portland, Maine /Deering). Steinhagen led last year’s team with a top finish in the 1500-meter run.
Hartford has a key jumper in senior Anthony Oluwanifise (Queens Village, N.Y./ St. Francis Prep), who was a top finisher in the long jump.
The 2008 America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held at University of Maine, May 3-4.