Season Preview: Cross Country making strides
Sophomore Jenn Naymick leads coach Matt Girod's young women's squad while the men welcome all newcomers.
August 11, 2011--Uniontown, Pa.
Cross country coach Matt Girod has reason for optimism as he guides the Roaring Lions program in his and the program's third year.
Sophomore Jennifer Naymick (Uniontown) returns after a breakout freshman campaign, where she placed sixth in the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference Championships and 16th in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Championships. Girod also welcomes twelve female runners and five males to their respective squads.
Connellsville graduates Samantha Virgillio, Jessica Shipley, Katie Detwiler and Erica Pierce join Heather Hunchuck and Rachael Franks from Laurel Highlands. Naymick, Jaycynth Drumhiller, Carin Benz, Virginia natives Brigid Corey and Samantha Griffith, and California product Chioma Ojini round out the women's squad.
The men's team welcomes five freshmen, all Uniontown graduates. Chris Zavage, Kevin Diamond, Steve Ciez, Dominique Lee and Alex Hamborsky will all compete for the Roaring Lions in meets throughout the state.
"I'm really excited about this season," says Girod. "Not only because of increased numbers, but we also will be hosting the PSUAC Championships."
Fayette was named the host of the PSUAC Championships in the spring after holding their first ever collegiate cross country meet in 2010. The PSUAC Championships will be held Saturday, Oct. 22, at 1:00 p.m. on the Penn State Fayette campus.
"Our challenging hills and all grass course make Fayette the perfect place to run a championship meet," adds Girod.
Fayette's men's and women's squads will each compete in four regular season meets before concluding the conference schedule at home. Penn State Wilkes-Barre hosts the first invitational of the season on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 1:00 p.m. in Lehman, Pa.
Following a two-week hiatus, racing resumes at the Penn State Mont Alto Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 1:00 p.m. in Mont Alto, Pa. Penn State Brandywine holds its annual invitational on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 1:00 p.m. in Media, Pa. The regular season concludes with the Penn State Lehigh Valley Invitational in Fogelsville, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 1:00 p.m.
Conference qualifiers then move on to the USCAA Men's and Women's National Cross Country Championships, held Nov. 10-11 in Lake Placid, NY. Paul Smith's College will host the meet at the United State Olympic Training Center.