The Massachusetts Maritime men’s cross country team is looking to make a run at another Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference championship this fall, as veteran Head Coach Chris Ryan returns eight veterans that will lead one of the Buccaneers’ largest and most experienced squads in recent years.

Ryan, who guided Massachusetts Maritime to the MASCAC title in 2005 as part of his highly decorated career with the program, has enjoyed a tradition of solid team leadership, and that will continue this season with seniors Alexander Barnas (Easton, Pa./Easton Area), Tyler Brady (Woburn, Mass./Woburn) and Brenton Andrews (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) serving as the Buccaneers’ tri-captains.  Ryan describes the trio as “having demonstrated a deep commitment to our program throughout their careers.  That determination has resulted improved performances and has seen them gain the respect of their teammates and coaches.  I’m grateful to have such outstanding young men lead us this season.”

Sophomore Jake MacVarish (Braintree, Mass./Norfolk Aggie) is the top returning runner for Ryan this fall, as the three time MASCAC Rookie of the Week led the way in each competition for Massachusetts Maritime in 2013.  Brady, Andrews and Barnas lend additional experience after recording top performances once again last season, while the quartet of junior Anthony DeTommaso (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) and sophomores Connor Rosenberg (Brooklyn, Conn./Woodstock Academy) and brothers Chris and Matt White (Taunton, Mass./Bristol-Plymouth) provide valuable depth.

The Buccaneers welcome 11 newcomers to the fold this fall, as freshmen Jake Clougher (Sandwich, Mass./Pope John Paul II), Rian Dalton (Danvers, Mass./North Shore Tech), Joe Eastman (Hanover, Mass./Hanover), Robert Galvin (Woburn, Mass./Woburn), Richard Langell (Georgetown, Mass./Georgetown), Chris MacKay (Bethany, Conn./Amity Regional), Josh Mattie (Pembroke, Mass./Pembroke), Ryan McNeal (Canton, Ga./Sequoyah), Thomas Pelletier (Bradford, Mass./Central Catholic), Samuel Theriault (Hampstead, N.C./Topsail) and Tobias Way (Pocasset, Mass./Sturgi) will all look to contribute during their respective rookie campaigns.

Massachusetts Maritime begins the 2014 season on Saturday, September 6^th by hosting the 10^th Annual Lt. Travis J. Fuller Invitational alongside the Cape Cod Canal beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT.  The Buccaneers will compete during the regular season at UMass Dartmouth, Elms, CCRI, Westfield State and Emmanuel before the MASCAC/New England Alliance Championships on November 1^st at MCLA.  Ryan’s crew will also compete at the NCAA Division III Regional Championships on November 15^th at Williams.