Penn College News

Penn College cross-country teams ready to race

Thursday, October 31, 2024

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While the Pennsylvania College of Technology men’s cross-country team seeks a United East Conference championship repeat performance, the women’s team will look for continued improvement when the teams compete on Saturday. 

Hosted by St. Mary’s (Md.) College at Oak Ridge Park in Hughesville, Maryland, the women’s 6K race with 16 teams will begin at 11 a.m. and the men’s 8K race with 15 teams will follow at noon.

“We were not able to attend the preview meet earlier this season so we will be at a slight disadvantage compared with other teams who raced there previously. We will rely on our course walk-through on Friday prior to the race to aid our preparation,” coach Tom Leeser said.

“Our women have grown as a team so far this season. We have better depth than we have had in the past few years, and each of the women has shown improvement. A top five, maybe top three finish at the conference meet is a possibility with strong competition coming from St. Mary’s and Lancaster Bible,” Lesser said.

Two seasons ago, when Leeser took over the program, there weren’t enough women to field a team. A year ago, they finished sixth in a 13-team field, with Elaina Brady of McConnellsburg placing 14th.

Brady, a sophomore, had led the women in all five races to date, posting a personal-best time of 27:03 this season over a 6K course.

Other women running will be Isabella Kerlin of Pottstown, Lillian DePew of Muncy, Karleigh Hunter of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Kayleigh Miller of Sayre, Adelyn McDermott of Williamsport and Isabella Telford of Greensburg. Only the top five finishers count toward the team point totals.

After finishing third in 2022, the men’s team won last year’s championship, with Mitchell Campbell of Riegelsville placing third individually, Matthew Woolcock of Oil City sixth, and Alec Rees of Centerport, New York, seventh — all taking UE first-team accolades and earning Leeser UE Coach of the Year honors.

In races this season, Woolcock has led the squad three times — with a season personal-best 8K time of 27:43 — and Campbell has led it twice — with a season personal-best 8K time of 28:10. Both are juniors.

Also running Saturday will be Ethan Knapp of Franklin, Holden Furey of Williamsport, Jacob Parker of Weatherly, Chase Ebeling of Bellefonte, Aaron Gurrisky of South Williamsport, Noah Bowers of Mifflin County, John Yovenishon Hockessin, Delaware, Matt Wheeland of Spring Mills and Owen Troup of Lancaster. Only the top five finishers count toward the team point totals. Furey and Parker were UE third-team honorees a year ago.

“The men have put in some quality training this fall and are trying to be fresh and healthy as we approach championships. Our top eight or nine guys should stack up well, and this depth should serve us well as we attempt to repeat as conference champions. Lancaster Bible and St. Mary’s return some top runners and will present strong challenges,” Leeser said.

After Saturday’s meet, the runners’ attention will turn toward the NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship at Lock Haven University on Nov. 16.

Schedule
Saturday, Nov. 2 — United East Championships hosted by St. Mary’s (Md.) College, women 11 a.m., men noon
Saturday, Nov. 16 — NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship at Lock Haven University, TBA

For additional information, visit the Wildcats Athletics website.
For more about the United East, visit the conference website.