1996 Season in Review
Men: 1st BIG EAST, 22nd NCAA
Coach: Ray Treacy
Captains: Mike Donnelly, David Healy
The Providence College men's cross country program proved to be
one of the surprise teams of the BIG EAST in 1996. Running for
the first time in five seasons without PC great Mark Carroll, the
Friars had to rely on depth, balance and strategy to win races.
PC was impressive, finishing third of 19 teams at the prestigious
Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn., on September 28.
Senior Michael Donnelly (Somerset, Mass.) placed ninth (24:50) and
was the top finisher for the Friars. On October 18, led by senior
David Healy of Cork, Ireland (fifth, 24:13), PC captured its 18th
New England Championship at Franklin Park. Donnelly placed fifth
and led the Friars to victory at the BIG EAST Championship on
November 1. It marked the second consecutive year PC captured the
men's and women's BIG EAST title. The win gave the PC men's team
its league leading 12th BIG EAST title. The Friars finished third
in District 1 and 10th overall at the IC4A Championship at
Franklin on November 16, but failed to qualify for the NCAA
Championship. However, the men's team received an at-large bid
for the Championship and placed 22nd in the race. Donnelly was
the Friars' top finisher as he placed 69th in a time of 32:46.
