Albany, N.Y.- The University at Albany men and women cross country squads will seek their first conference titles when the school hosts the 2011 America East Conference Cross Country Championship on Saturday, Oct. 29. The women's 5,000-meter race will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the men's 8K event follows at 11:30 a.m. The UAlbany Campus Course starts at Collins Circle on the Washington Avenue side of campus. For the men, Boston University will be looking to defend their title. Stony Brook's women will look to repeat for the fifth time in as many years.

Chasing the America East Crown
Both men's and women's teams are seeking to win their first America East title since joining the conference in 2001. The men and women had their best finishes in 2003 with the men placing second and the women in third. In the America East Preseason Poll, the men were slated to finish second while the women were picked to finish sixth.

Experience is Key
The Great Danes men and women bring back their top four finishers from last year's America East Championship meet. For the men, juniors Alex Leuchanka (3rd), Paul Lagno (4th), R.J. Sniffen (18th) and senior Chris Burke (14th) were among the top-20 finishers. As for the women, sophomores Emily Finnegan (14th), Brianne Bellon (16th), junior Kathryn Fanning (24th), and senior Ada Lauterbach (25th) were among the top competitors last season.

Familiarity of the Field
UAlbany will be hosting this year's America East Championship. The course has been redesigned this year due to construction on campus and was previously used in the 45th UAlbany Invitational two weeks ago. The home course proved to be helpful for the men. The Great Danes captured the team crown with Paul Lagno leading the squad by placing first. The women were successful, as well, placing third out of 23 teams with Kathryn Fanning leading her squad to sixth place.
UAlbany last hosted the America East meet on campus in 2002 and the event proved to be very successful. The Great Danes, both men and women, had their best finishes as a team since joining the America East with the men finishing second and the women third.

Ranked Regionally
UAlbany's men squad has been in the top 10 of the Northeast rankings in six of seven weeks of the season. The Great Danes are rated No. 8. The other America East school that has been recognized in the Northeast rankings is Boston U. who is currently sitting in 12th position.