Sept. 10, 2004

Garden City, N.Y. -

Using a mix of returning talent and incoming depth and promise the Panthers are looking to regain the top spot in the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference (NYCAC). Last season the Adelphi men and women finished third and fifth in the NYCAC, respectively.

"I expect our teams to compete for the NYCAC championship," said second year Head Coach Mike Belfiore. "I also expect us to improve on last season regional rankings."

Men
The men return three letterwinners from last season and have one runner making the transition from the track to the trails. Senior Ryan Soltan will captain the men this season.

Soltan was Adelphi's top finisher at the NCAA Northeast Regional last season, placing 32nd overall. "Ryan is a positive team leader that I'm looking to lead our team," said Belfiore. "He has also been training very well and is on his way to his best season in a Panther uniform."

To succeed this season Adelphi will also be looking for junior Mike Marzano to step up, after having a strong track season. Marzano broke the two minute barrier three times in the 800 meter run in 2004. "Mike has done a great job stepping up and becoming our number two runner," said Belfiore. "He should be able to compete for All-Conference honors this season."

Adding depth to the squad will be newcomers Russ Bestenheider, Matt Dispensa, Will Marshall and Wayne Wilson. Bestenheider is making the transition from track to cross-country after a solid outdoor season.

A Queensboro College transfer, Marshall will give the team depth and speed and will be expected to score every meet. As will freshman Dispensa from Archbishop Molloy. Wilson and junior Joe Accardo could also finish in the top five at any given meet.

Women
The women also return three runners from a year ago and will feature three freshman and one transfer. Four-year letterwinner and co-captain Katie DiPietro will set the pace for the women after placing 23rd at the NCAA Northeast Regional a year ago.

Diane Buonpane and Katie DiPietro will lead the women's team.

DiPietro ran through an injury last year, but is back and healthy this season. "Katie is running well, injury free and will again compete for a NYCAC individual title," said Belfiore. "We're looking for her to lead the newcomers back to where we were two years ago [NCAA Championships]."

Also back for the 2004 campaign is senior and co-captain Diane Buonpane. Buonpane was Adelphi's second finisher in every meet last season and will be expected to repeat that performance this season. "Diane is coming off of a great outdoor track season," said Belfiore. "I'm looking for her to continue to improve and compete for All-Conference honors."

Joining DiPietro and Buonpane will be senior Lauren Spota and sophomore track athlete Liz DiRico. Spota scored in every meet last season, while DiRico ran well during indoor track but was slowed by injury during the outdoor season.

Freshmen Melissa Coelho, Meghan Farrell, Jen Mayo and junior transfer Nadine Rossi will look to make an immediate impact. The newcomers will add much needed depth and experience to the women's side. Coelho, Farrell and Mayo all bring four years or more of cross-country experience with them to Adelphi.

Schedule
The Panthers will compete against top-flight competition all year. The key meets will be the NYCAC Championships on October 24th and the NCAA Northeast Regionals on November 6th. Both meets will be run on courses that Adelphi will see at meets prior to NYCAC's and NCAA's.

If Adelphi's returners and newcomers can come together early then the Panthers could be an early favorite to regain the conference crown.