2008 Woodie Awards
Freshman runner a phenom
By Adam Brewer
Rocket Sports Editor
Issue date: 12/9/05 Section: Sports
In his first year as a college athlete, freshman runner Jeff Weiss is turning a few heads in the PSAC.
Weiss has had a phenomenal season in his first year at the Rock compiling numerous regional and national awards.
On Thursday, Weiss was named as both the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference "Athlete of the Year" and "Rookie of the Year."
"It's a big honor to achieve these awards," Weiss said. "There are a lot of good runners and athletes in the PSAC, and I'm proud of getting the awards."
Weiss, a native of Avella and graduate of McGuffey High School, was previously named as NCAA Division II East Regional "Runner of the Year" honor from the Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Associations.
A few weeks ago, Weiss capped off his freshmen season with a third place finish in the NCAA D-II national championship. The third place finish was the best mark by a Rock runner since 1983, when Bob Petrini claimed his second successive national runner-up award.
Weiss also claimed the East Region title and the PSAC crown this season as well. Weiss is only the eighth Rock cross country runner to attain All-America honors since 1993, when Eric Laughlin achieved the honors. Weiss is only the fourth male runner to accomplish the feat. Petrini earned All-American honors in both 1982 and 1983 with his second place finishes in the national races.
On the women's side, SRU has had four All-Americans.
Weiss said that he was pleased with his season and this season was far past his expectations and said that he is looking toward the future.
"I'm just going to keep training harder in the winter season, and then just get after it again during spring time," Weiss said.
Weiss has had a phenomenal season in his first year at the Rock compiling numerous regional and national awards.
On Thursday, Weiss was named as both the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference "Athlete of the Year" and "Rookie of the Year."
"It's a big honor to achieve these awards," Weiss said. "There are a lot of good runners and athletes in the PSAC, and I'm proud of getting the awards."
Weiss, a native of Avella and graduate of McGuffey High School, was previously named as NCAA Division II East Regional "Runner of the Year" honor from the Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Associations.
A few weeks ago, Weiss capped off his freshmen season with a third place finish in the NCAA D-II national championship. The third place finish was the best mark by a Rock runner since 1983, when Bob Petrini claimed his second successive national runner-up award.
Weiss also claimed the East Region title and the PSAC crown this season as well. Weiss is only the eighth Rock cross country runner to attain All-America honors since 1993, when Eric Laughlin achieved the honors. Weiss is only the fourth male runner to accomplish the feat. Petrini earned All-American honors in both 1982 and 1983 with his second place finishes in the national races.
On the women's side, SRU has had four All-Americans.
Weiss said that he was pleased with his season and this season was far past his expectations and said that he is looking toward the future.
"I'm just going to keep training harder in the winter season, and then just get after it again during spring time," Weiss said.
