2008 Woodie Awards
Pieces fall into place for cross country
By Erin Fisher
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Sports
After being ranked among the top three teams in the region, the Slippery Rock men's and women's cross country teams are doing nothing small this season. The No. 1 ranked men's team and the No. 3 ranked women's team will compete in Anchorage, Alaska this Saturday.
"Our expectations for the season are high," said Head Coach John Papa. "We are a very highly regarded team. We have quite a few very good runners, and I think that other teams feel some of our runners are going to be difficult to beat."
The men's team alone has four elite runners, one of which is ranked nationally.
"Jeff Weiss is one of the top distance runners in the country," Papa added.
Weiss, a physical education major, has twice received All-America honors and was also named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference 2005 Rookie of the Year and Athlete of the Year.
As a freshman, Weiss finished third in the Division II National Competition.
Also expected to come up big this season are junior Pat Reagan, senior Matt Bluman and senior Chris Geddis.
"These men are some of the top runners in the conference," Papa said. "We have four runners that are considered elite, and that is going to make us tough competition."
The No. 3 ranked women's team is also coming into the season with big hopes, returning several key runners from last season. The 2006 women's team placed third in the eastern region.
"Jennifer Harpp is one of the top runners on the Rock women's team this year," Papa said. Harpp, a sophomore, was named last year's PSAC Rookie of the Year. She placed fourth at last year's All-East Region competition, earning her a spot in the 2006 NCAA Division II National Competition.
Katie Bork, a junior, also claims one of the top positions on the Rock Cross Country team.
"Bork was out with mono(nucleosis) last year," Papa said, "but she is going to be an asset to the team this year."
Coach Papa also mentioned juniors Laura Mucho and Leslie Kramer to be runners to watch this season. Mucho, a transfer student, finished 28th last year in the Division II East Regional Competition.
"There are many other runners on both teams that solidify the team, and make them hard to beat as a whole," said Papa.
The teams competed in the Alumni Race last weekend, but the real competition will start on Saturday in Alaska.
"Some of our top female runners are struggling with their health, so this weekend will be trying," Papa said.
According to Papa, staying healthy is going to be one of the biggest obstacles this season. "In distance running, injuries are always a concern. When you train at such an intense level, a lot can go wrong."
"Our expectations for the season are high," said Head Coach John Papa. "We are a very highly regarded team. We have quite a few very good runners, and I think that other teams feel some of our runners are going to be difficult to beat."
The men's team alone has four elite runners, one of which is ranked nationally.
"Jeff Weiss is one of the top distance runners in the country," Papa added.
Weiss, a physical education major, has twice received All-America honors and was also named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference 2005 Rookie of the Year and Athlete of the Year.
As a freshman, Weiss finished third in the Division II National Competition.
Also expected to come up big this season are junior Pat Reagan, senior Matt Bluman and senior Chris Geddis.
"These men are some of the top runners in the conference," Papa said. "We have four runners that are considered elite, and that is going to make us tough competition."
The No. 3 ranked women's team is also coming into the season with big hopes, returning several key runners from last season. The 2006 women's team placed third in the eastern region.
"Jennifer Harpp is one of the top runners on the Rock women's team this year," Papa said. Harpp, a sophomore, was named last year's PSAC Rookie of the Year. She placed fourth at last year's All-East Region competition, earning her a spot in the 2006 NCAA Division II National Competition.
Katie Bork, a junior, also claims one of the top positions on the Rock Cross Country team.
"Bork was out with mono(nucleosis) last year," Papa said, "but she is going to be an asset to the team this year."
Coach Papa also mentioned juniors Laura Mucho and Leslie Kramer to be runners to watch this season. Mucho, a transfer student, finished 28th last year in the Division II East Regional Competition.
"There are many other runners on both teams that solidify the team, and make them hard to beat as a whole," said Papa.
The teams competed in the Alumni Race last weekend, but the real competition will start on Saturday in Alaska.
"Some of our top female runners are struggling with their health, so this weekend will be trying," Papa said.
According to Papa, staying healthy is going to be one of the biggest obstacles this season. "In distance running, injuries are always a concern. When you train at such an intense level, a lot can go wrong."
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