Sept. 20, 1999

The Villanova University men's cross country team opened its 1999 season on Friday, Sept. 17 with a tri-meet held at Haverford College. Joining Villanova and Haverford on the four-mile Featherbed Field Course was Widener University.

Villanova started the year off in fine fashion, as Wildcat runners occupied the first three spots and seven of the top 12 positions. Leading the way for the ?Cats was senior Scott Tantino (North Wales, Pa.) who won the meet with a time of 19:55. Freshman Tom Parlapiano (Honeybrook, Pa.) had an impressive collegiate debut finishing just behind Tantino in second position with a time of 20:03. Rounding out the top three for Villanova was sophomore Eric Reese (Dushore, Pa.) who covered the four-mile course in 20:13.

The fourth and fifth spots in the race were credited to two Wildcat runners, with Ben Showers (So., West Chester, Pa.) placing fifth with a clocking of 20:19 and Cory Smith (Baltimore, Md.) earning sixth with a time of 20:27. After an open runner placed seventh and three Haverford runners went eight, nine and 10, two Villanova rookies running in their first college race finished 11th and 12th. Freshmen Tim Styler (Cranford, N.J.) and Paul Carroll (Cork, Ireland) were given identical times of 20:44 with Styler being credited with the 11th spot.

Also finishing in the top 20 for Villanova were Chris Johnson (Easton, Mass.) and Colin McManus (Lafayette Hill, Pa.) who placed 18th and 19th respectively. Johnson tallied a time of 21:15, while McManus registered a time of 21:18.

Villanova returns to the course on Oct. 1 when they will compete in the LaSalle Invitational at Belmont Plateau.

VILLANOVA FINISHERS