The Slippery Rock men’s cross-country team was led by a third-place finish by senior Jeremy Parsons with the team placing 10th at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship Saturday. Parsons finished the 8-kilometer course with a time of 26:43 to earn All-PSAC honors. Parsons put forth a strong effort over the second half of the race passing three runners in the last mile.
Sophomore Daniel Janyska finished with a time of 28:38 to take 39th, missing an All-PSAC spot by just 15 seconds. Behind Janyska was junior Josh Rader taking 62nd with a time of 29:15. Capping off the Rock’s scorers were sophomore Jay Nelson in 92nd in 30:28 and junior Andrew Maxwell in 64th in 30:35.
Freshman Jon Snyder finished 125th in 32:28 and freshman Tanner Schlater finished 132nd in 33:23.
Head Coach John Papa was pleased with Parsons’ performance but thinks that the rest of the team did not have the best race of their season, he is hopeful looking forward though.
“I am confident that the entire team will come together at Lock Haven,” Papa said.
On the women’s side it was a huge race from junior Sabrina Palmieri who finished 23rd earning All-PSAC honors in a time of 24:03 on the 6-kilometer course. “It’s incredible that Sabrina placed 111th in PSAC last year…she has made a commitment to improving as a runner,” Papa said. Palmieri led the women’s team to a 7th place team finish.
Narrowly missing All-PSAC by just three spots was senior Caitlyn Janeda finishing 33rd in 24:31. Senior Courtney Group followed in 40th in 24:46 and junior Madison Przicina finished 47th in 25:05. Freshman Juliet Ryan rounded out the Rock’s scorers in 49th in 29:10.
Senior Matti Dunham finished 53rd in 25:20 and sophomore Emily Johnson rounded out the Rock’s top seven finishing 81st at 25:55.
Both teams will now rest this weekend before sending their top seven runners to Lock Haven to compete at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Cross Country Championships on November 4th. “I believe both teams will run better at Regionals. I am looking forward to seeing everyone give their best effort,” Papa said.
