October 25, 2001
Stage Set For 2001 PSAC Cross Country Championships
Edinboro Headlines Men's and Women's Team Predictions

   
 

(Lock Haven, Pa.) -  The 2001 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, October 27, at Lock Haven University’s West Branch Cross Country Course.  The women’s race begins at 10 a.m., while the men’s race is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start.   Below are the previews for the fields of competition:

2001 Men’s PSAC Cross Country Championships Preview
       With 18 of the last 21 PSAC Championships under their belts, Edinboro University needs no introduction to the role of favorite at this weekend’s championship, hosted by Lock Haven University at the West Branch Cross Country Course.  Head Coach Doug Watts’ Fighting Scots appear primed to repeat after a strong season of competition, led by 1998 PSAC and NCAA Champion Yi Min Wu.  The senior finished third a year ago, and is the only returning All-American in the field.  Three other All-PSAC runners return for Edinboro again this season, including senior Ryan Kelly (8th), sophomore Joe Reynolds (13th), and junior Nat Wibberly (13th).  Sophomore Tim Cron, sixth in the 1999 championship, returns to the Fighting Scots lineup after a year off with injury and could also contend for top honors, while freshman Mark Hryvinak is a significant threat for all-conference honors.           

  
Chris Cowan (above left) and Jana Kauffman (above right) will look to set the pace for the Haven teams in this weekend's championship competition.
               Lock Haven University, hosting the PSAC Championship for the first time in 31 years, is currently ranked second in the East Region and could challenge the Boro if their pack can tighten up.  Led by rookies Chris Cowan and Chad Lyons, the Bald Eagles top six runners are all freshman and sophomores.  Though lacking in experience, sophomores Chad Lloyd and Mike Trumbull, along with freshman Sven Kost could all contend for All-PSAC honors.
            Junior Mark Stallings has been Millersville University’s leader, winning three of five races this season, and is one of the favorites to take away individual honors after finishing fifth in 2000.  Sophomore Steve Pizulli, fifth in 1999, has returned after red-shirting last season and given the third-ranked Marauders a strong one-two punch.  If freshman Ken DiMarzio and junior Russ Stellmach race well, Millersville could move into team contention.
            Always a threat in the team race, Shippensburg University could make things interesting at the top.  Led by senior Justin Gindlesperger (ninth in 2000), last year’s PSAC runner-up could put a wedge in everyone else’s plans for a team championship.
            Slippery Rock University, led by junior Jon Sheffield and sophomore Justin Sherman, and Kutztown University, racing behind junior team leaders Greg Yerkes and Phil Hofken (14th in 2000), should also mix things up at the top of the team standings.
            Individually, West Chester University’s Doug Mascherino, could vie for top honors in the individual race after finishing sixth in his sophomore campaign.  Junior teammate Mike Rothermel, tenth at last season’s championship, should also contend for all-conference honors.  
            Other runners expected to contend for All-PSAC honors include Clarion University senior Ean King, Indiana University of Pennsylvania sophomore A.J. Kelly, Bloomsburg University rookie Justin Dosch, East Stroudsburg University senior Mark Donio and sophomore Seth Langieanese from California University of Pennsylvania.

2001 Women’s PSAC Cross Country Championships Preview
             Edinboro University will enter Saturday’s championship with their sights set on a fourth-consecutive conference title.  With ten championships in the last fourteen years, the Fighting Scots have tradition on their side, along with a strong trio leading them up front.  Seniors Kathy Breisch (second in 2000), Lisa Petsche (fifth in 2000) and Jocelyn Smith have been consistently strong all season, and all have the potential to score among the top five individuals.  Petsche is the only returning All-American in the PSAC this season.
            Kutztown, currently ranked second in the East Region, returns the core of their third-place team from a year ago, including 2000 champion senior Megan Seefeldt.  A contender again this season, Seefeldt and teammate Maria Schoellkopf give the Golden Bears a potent frontal assault.  With some strong backup, Kutztown could be in contention to challenge at the top.
            Junior Sara Raschiatore, who ran away with individual honors for Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the 1999 championship, returns after an injury-plagued 2000 campaign (seventh) to try and regain her title.  A winner of three invitationals this season, including one against Edinboro, makes her the favorite of the women’s field. As a team, Indiana has been spread out throughout the season, but with the closing of some gaps could be dangerous.
            A pair of Shippensburg Lady Raiders could shake things up at the top, making the battle for individual honors anyone’s guess.  Junior transfer Kelly Stewart has taken three titles of her own this season, while senior Sarah Baer has been a stalwart in backup.  Lacking in depth, Shippensburg’s team hopes will count on strong races from everyone in their top five.
            Millersville University’s hopes lie with junior Theresa Mazurek, who should be in the heart of the battle for individual honors as well.  Mazurek has led the Maruaders all season, and along with senior teammate Kim Burkley should contend for all-conference accolades.
            Other all-conference potential rests with Lock Haven University sophomore Beth Armstrong (tenth in 2000), and this season’s frontrunner, junior Jana Kauffman.  Bloomsburg University senior Kim Gasper and Slippery Rock University junior Vickie Wilson are also viable individual threats, as are East Stroudsburg University senior Christel Hibbard (ninth in 2000) and Clarion University runners Jennifer Boerner (16th in 2000), a sophomore, and rookie Mel Terwillinger.

 

 

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