WALTHAM, Mass. – Senior Samantha Bilodeau (New Ipswich, N.H./Mascenic Reg. HS) has been named the captain of the 2021 Bentley University women's cross country team and the men's team will be led by senior Derek Pittorino (Westborough/ Westborough HS) and junior Brice Tolan (Abington/Abington HS), head coach Kevin Curtin announced.

Bilodeau, who earned USTFCCA Division II All-East Region honors in the 10,000 meters last spring, competed in four meets during the 2019 cross country season and was one of the Falcons' top three in each. Her top career finishes include 42nd in the 2019 NCAA East Regional and 43rd in the 2018 Northeast-10 Championships.

"Sam Bilodeau is the proverbial coach on the floor for our women's cross country team," praised Curtin.

"She has an incredible work ethic—she tore her ACL in the spring of 2020 and had her surgery delayed until the late summer. My goal for her last year was to return to running on a consistent basis. She threw herself into her rehab, made herself into a better athlete and returned ahead of schedule to earn All-East Region honors in the 10k. She is a student of the sport and is going to be a great leader for us this season."

Pittorino saw limited action as a sophomore after finishing in Bentley's top seven in five of six meets as freshman. That included placing 75th in the Northeast-10's and 103rd in the regional.

Tolan competed in four cross country races as a freshman and was 111th that season in the NE10 Championships. His resume also includes an 11th-place showing in the 800 at the 2020 NE10 indoor championships.

"Derek and Brice are co-captains who complement each other well," said Curtin. "We have a talented but relatively inexperienced roster and Derek and Brice have a lot of experience to help their teammates make the adjustment to the 8k distance."

Bentley, which saw its 2020 cross country season cancelled, will make its 2021 debut September 4 with the Jim Sheehan Memorial at Fitchburg State.