Penn College cross-country runners set for nationals
Pennsylvania College of Technology cross-country runners competed in the North Eastern Athletic Conference championships for the first time on Saturday and this Friday they seek more honors when they run in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships.
Cross-country
The Penn College men finished ninth of 11 teams and the Penn College women placed 10th in an 11-team field on Saturdayin NEAC action. SUNY IT repeated as the men’s team champion in an 8K (4.96-mile) race and SUNY Cobleskill captured the women’s team title in a 6K (3.7-mile) event.
For the Penn College men, Daniel Flynn, of Blairstown, New Jersey, finished No. 22 in 29:52.2 and just missed making the All-Conference team by one place. Also placing for Penn College were Nate Mashack, of Bloomsburg, No. 44 in 31:58.2; Derrick Morrison, of York, No. 50 in 33:25.1; Logan Ault, of Williamsport, No. 58 in 34:11.8; and Brandon Stevenson, of Oil City, No. 70 in 37:31.2. Others who finished the race for the Wildcats were Matt Mullin, of State College, No. 71 in 37:56.9; and Roy Long, of Forest City, No. 75 in 39:14.9. Alex Kane, of PSU Abington, topped the 83-man field in 27:18.8
In men’s team competition, SUNY IT ended with 36 points followed by SUNY Cobleskill, 83; PSU Abington, 86; SUNY Morrisville, 86; PSU Berks, 148; host Gallaudet University, 181; Keuka College, 200; Cazenovia College, 211; Penn College, 226; Wells College, 246; and Lancaster Bible College, 252.
“The men ran a fantastic race. … We didn’t hit the times that I was hoping for but we learned a lot about this league and the runners that are in the league. We were pleasantly pleased with the results that we got,” Penn College interim coach Mike Paulhamus said.
For the Penn College women, Elyssa Stanton, of Honesdale, ended No. 48 in 27:43.8; Jessica Wiegand, of Montoursville, was No. 59 in 29:11.3; Kristine Loomis, of Tunkhannock, was No. 63 in 30:04.2; Brook Hostetter, of Lancaster, was No. 69 in 31:23.3; Nicole Reyes-Molina, of Lancaster, was No. 84 in 36:23.1; and Samantha Thomas, of Loyalsock Township, was No. 85 in 36:45.3. Results of the top five individuals counted in team scoring. Shelby McIntyre, of Cazenovia College, placed first among 88 runners in 22:28.
In women’s team competition, SUNY Cobleskill finished with 46 points followed by Cazenovia College, 75; PSU Abington, 81; Keuka College, 92; SUNY Morrisville, 119; Wells College, 132; PSU Berks, 181; Lancaster Bible College, 213; host Gallaudet University, 219; Penn College, 281; SUNY IT, 319.
“I think my ladies all PR’ed, got their personal best running records in. They peaked at the right moment. … From where they came from a number of weeks ago to today, I can’t be prouder of a bunch of young ladies who put the work in and tried to make themselves better,” Paulhamus said.
Looking ahead to this Friday and the USCAA National Championships at Syracuse, New York, Paulhamus said, “I’m excited just to have the kids enjoy the experience and for a couple — Dan Flynn, Brook Hostetter, Nicole Reyes and Elyssa Stanton — it will be their last college race.”
Wrestling
In its season opener, Slade Storm, of New Oxford, posted three wins against two losses in the 157-pound weight class during action Saturday at the King’s College Monarch Invitational. All three of Storm’s wins were by fall. Penn College finished 12th in a 14-team field.
Also wrestling for Penn College, and all going 0-2 on the day, were Jake Stanford, of Montoursville, at 149; Kyle Sunseri, of Athens, at 157; Mason Replogle, of New Enterprise, at 149; Dan Frankenfield, of Dushore, at 184; Andrew Raskiewicz, of Upper Merion, at 184; and Conner Route, of Canton, at 285.
“Slade had a great day. He was very good on his feet and was packing and did a great job,” Penn College coach Schuyler Frey said, noting that 14 teams and more than 200 wrestlers competed.
“Dan Frankenfield, even though he lost twice, he wrestled very well also; and he was wrestling up (a weight class),” Frey continued. “Jake Stanford wrestled up one weight class and he fought hard all day long.”
In team competition, Roger Williams placed first with 140 points followed by York College, 120; SUNY Cortland, 116.5; Wilkes University, 108; Lycoming College, 103; RIT, 71.5; New York University, 54.5; Oneonta State, 42.5; Gettysburg College, 42.5; King’s College, 37; Scranton University, 23; Penn College, 8; Muhlenberg, 2; and Mt. St. Vincent .5.
The Wildcats travel to Wilkes University in their dual match opener at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
“I think they (his grapplers) learned an awful lot (Saturday) as far as the level of competition. Wilkes is a real good team and we will have to be ready to step it up a little bit. We’re going to be bringing back a bunch of guys from the injured list and we should have all of the weights filled except 133,” Frey said looking ahead.
Men’s, women’s soccer
During the week it was announced that five Penn College soccer players, two men and three women, have been honored as all-NEAC selections. For the men, Hector Guerrero, of Mexico City, Mexico, was named to the Second Team as a goalkeeper and Christian Dressler, of McAlisterville, was a Third Team defender. For the women, forward Valeria Passalacqua, of McAlisterville; midfielder Jordan Courter, of Mill Hall; and defender Caitlin McCarthy, of State College, earned third team honors. All-Conference teams are determined by vote from the coaches of each member institution and based solely on athletic performance on the year.
Guerrero recorded eight wins, including four shutouts, during the men’s 8-8-1 overall season, 4-5-1 NEAC, with 1.3 goals against average, .827 save percentage and 105 saves. He was ranked in the top five in the conference in all three categories. Dressler started 15 matches and keyed the defense, while also recording a goal and one assist.
Passalacqua led the Lady Wildcats in scoring with seven goals and also had two assists as the team finished 5-12 overall and 4-7 in the NEAC. Courter was the keystone of the team’s defense helping in its four conference wins including three shutouts in her 15 games. McCarthy, despite missing several games due to injury, saw action in 12 matches totaling a goal and three assists.
During their first year in the NEAC, the Penn College men finished tied for sixth with SUNY IT among 11 teams in NEAC play behind Morrisville State, which it beat; Keuka College, which it tied; Lancaster Bible College; Wells College; and PSU Abington. The Penn College women finished ninth among 12 teams behind PSU Berks, PSU Abington, Lancaster Bible College, Keuka College, SUNY IT, Cazenovia College, Morrisville State and Wells College.
PENN COLLEGE SCHEDULES/RECORDS
Cross-Country
Saturday, Nov. 1 – NEAC Championships at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C., men finished 9th of 11 teams; women finished 10th of 11 teams
Saturday, Nov. 7 – USCAA Championships at Syracuse, N.Y.
(season ends)
Wrestling
Saturday, Nov. 1 – at King’s College Monarch Invitational, finished 12th among 14 teams
Wednesday, Nov. 5 – at Wilkes University, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 8 – at University of Scranton Electric Duals, 10 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 15 – host Ursinus College, 1 p.m.
