Who says it can't get any better for Pennsylvania College of Technology athletics?
During the 2007-08 school year, the Wildcats collectively won 207 of 293 games, a .706 winning percentage. But in the recently completed 2008-09 school year, they not only improved on that mark with a combined .719 winning percentage (215-84-3), they also captured three national team championships, six conference titles and six of its teams participated for the first time in United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships.
In addition, Penn College was honored with the first Penn State University Athletic Conference Chancellor's Cup. The award is given to the college that earns the most points throughout the year based on the finish of each team. For the school year in all PSUAC sports, Penn College teams posted 150 wins, 32 losses and one tie, a .820 winning percentage.
Following is a review of the 2008-09 academic year alphabetically by sport:
ArcheryUnder coach Chad Karstetter, Penn College claimed U.S. Intercollegiate Archery Championships team titles in the female compound, male recurve and mixed compound events. On the female compound team were Lindsey Fackler (Halifax), Cheryl Brooks (Reynoldsville) and Julie Cain (Bellefonte). Male recurve team members were Glen Thomas (Mercer), Martin Smith (Brookville) and James Fanelli (Glastonburg, Conn.). Mixed compound team members were Dan Wido (Shickshinny), Zachary Plannick (Coraopolis), Fackler and Brooks.
In national individual competition, Wido won the men's compound championship, becoming only the third Penn College archer to do so. Wido, Plannick, Brad Ferguson (Lewistown), Aaron Lapinski (Bloomsburg), Brock Smith (Brookville), Fackler and Thomas earned All-American honors (combined scores from the indoor Eastern Regional and outdoor national championships), while Plannick and Thomas were chosen for the men's compound team that will represent the United States in the World University Games July 2-12 in Belgrade, Serbia. Team-wise, Penn College finished third in the nation, its highest finish ever.
Baseball After a 16-6 fall season, Penn College went 20-3 in the spring and successfully defended its Penn State University Athletic Conference championship. Chris Howard was named conference Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. Competing on the national stage for the first time in the USCAA National Championships, the Wildcats went 1-2 and finished tied for third with three other teams.
Basketball (Men)The Wildcats, under coach Gene Bruno, went 18-12 overall, the most wins in school history, and finished 2-2 in the USCAA playoffs to place sixth nationally.
Basketball (Women)Coach Alison Tagliaferri guided Penn College to a 16-10 overall record. The Wildcats' season ended in the PSUAC quarterfinals.
BowlingFor the sixth consecutive season, Penn College bowlers won a conference championship, but this time it is the women who reigned supreme. The all-freshman squad of Chelsea Morgan (Williamsport), Samantha Prisk (Lamont), Jennifer Fritz (Lewisburg) and Elizabeth Watts (Doylestown) knocked down 6,022 pins en route to winning the women's overall team championship at the Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association tournament in Philipsburg. In addition, Morgan and Prisk combined for the women's doubles championship. Coach Deb Vincenzes was named the conference women's coach of the year.
Cross-Country (Men) Penn College went 16-0 in the conference, winning its sixth consecutive PSUAC championship. It was 36-9 overall, including a third-place finish at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Championships. Mark Cordeiro (Canton) was the individual PSUAC men's champ and coach Mike Paulhamus earned Coach of the Year honors.
Cross-Country (Women)The Penn College women, also under Paulhamus, were 10-1 in the PSUAC, where they placed second for the fourth straight season, and ended 14-2 overall. They were third in the USCAA.
GolfWhile they saw their six-season, 155-match win streak end midway through the season, the Wildcats rallied at the end to claim their sixth consecutive conference team title. For the year, Penn College concluded its season with an 18-1-1 record. Over the past six seasons under coach Chet Schuman it was 166-1-1. Schuman was named PSUAC Coach of the Year.
Soccer (Men)Coached by Enrique Castillo, the Wildcats finished a perfect 11-0 in the PSUAC and captured their fifth consecutive PSUAC crown. Overall, they finished 13-2 after going 0-2 in the USCAA National Championships, where their two-season 29-match win streak ended.
Soccer (Women)Playing an independent schedule for the first time in many years, the Penn College women under coach Kim Antanitis went 9-4-1 overall, including 1-1 in the USCAA National Championships.
SoftballThe Penn College women gave coach Roger Harris his 100th career victory and finished 15-13 overall, placing second in the PSUAC for the second straight year.
TennisAimee Plastow made her coaching debut at the college one to remember as the Wildcats went 17-2 overall and won the PSUAC Championship. Shane Burridge (Ephrata) won the No. 1 men's singles crown, Austin Moran (Mount Joy) won the No. 2 men's singles title, Erica Logan (Montoursville) won the No. 1 women's singles championship and Burridge-Moran teamed for the No. 1 men's doubles crown.
Volleyball (Men)Coached by Wes Strayer, Penn College finished 10-10-1 overall.
Volleyball (Women)Under the direction of coach Bambi Hawkins, the Wildcats went 13-10 overall, losing in the first round of the PSUAC playoffs.