GOLDEN EAGLES CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS CONCLUDE SEASON

The Clarion University men’s and women’s cross country team concluded their seasons at the NCAA Division II East Regionals Nov. 3 at Slippery Rock. The women’s team finished eighth, while the men’s team was 12th.

"It was a good year," Clarion’s eighth-year head coach Pat Mooney said. "At Regionals we placed where we were seeded but just missed climbing up the standings with both teams. I was happy with how we did, but at the same time it was a little heartbreaking that we were so close to moving up. It would have been nice to go higher. But overall I am happy with how we did. I have no qualms about the type of year we had."

WOMEN LED BY BOERNER & TERWILLINGER

Leading the Golden Eagles women’s team was its upstate New York connection of sophomore Jen Boerner and freshman Melissa Terwillinger.

Boerner became just the second women’s runner in Mooney’s career at Clarion to earn All-Region honors, which go to any runner finishing in the top 15, when she took 13^th place in a time of 24:16. Kelly Null, who finished 11^th last season, is the only other runner under Mooney to earn All-Region honors.

"The week before (Regionals) Jen just missed earning all-conference honors," Mooney said. "I liked the way she came back and shook off that disappointment. She came out with fire in her eyes and was determined that she was going to be recognized for her talents. She rose to the occasion. I am really proud of her. She had a smile on her face all afternoon. She deserved the honor. She is a hard worker who shows up everyday and gives 100 percent. It was nice to see her end her season on a high note. It was the highlight of the meet."

Terwillinger, meanwhile, gave Clarion two runners in the top 30 finishing 28^th in a time of 25:02.

"I am real pleased with how she ran," Mooney said. "She was very consistent all season. For a freshman to run the way she did is a real sign of maturity and a real sign of some great things to come. Her best years are still ahead of her."

In addition to Boerner and Terwillinger, the Golden Eagles also got solid races from Wendy Kengor (49^th – 25:52), Kathryn Szafran (53^rd – 25:56), Alison Borek (82^nd – 26:55), Linda Bryce (85^th – 27:00) and Sarah Rodgers (92^nd – 27:26).

"Wendy and Katie made our year," Mooney said. "They were our seventh and eighth runners last year and really stepped it up this season. They are really the reason we were able to have a great year.

"Linda worked hard all year and had her best race of the season. She really stepped it up for us, while Sarah is still at the point where she is learning. She did a good job of moving up during the year. She is an up and coming runner."

The future looks bright for the Golden Eagles as they lose only two of their top seven runners from this season in Kengor and Bryce.

"We are real excited about the future," Mooney said. "We have a young team. We have to replace only two seniors this year, and we only have one next year. Our goal is to be a top three team in the region and go to the NCAA Championships. But we still have a lot of work to do from both the team and myself."

Clarion’s men’s team used a balanced effort that saw four runners finish within 40 seconds of each other and six runners finish within two minutes of each other to capture 12^th at Regionals.

"The Regional race was a microcosm of our season," Mooney said. "We had three different people as our No. 1 runner this season, and we ran as a pack all year. The best we have done since I have been here at this race is 11^th place and we were only two points out of 11^th this year. We would have liked to have had one more runner get in the top pack that was 40 seconds apart of each other, but all in all it was a good race."

Two seniors, two sophomores and a freshman scored points for the Golden Eagles at Regionals led by sophomore A.J. Mayernik who finished 41^st in a time of 36:17.

Seven seconds behind Mayernik was senior Ean King (44^th – 36:24), and 29 seconds back of King was fellow senior Matt Mastarone (54^th – 36:53). Sophomore David Duriancik finished in 55^th place in a time of 36:56 and freshman Zac Ogden was 92^nd in a time of 38:04. Junior John Snyder finished 98^th in a time of 38:17, and senior Jerry Smith was 104^th in a time of 38:37.

"We will miss Ean, Matt and Jerry," Mooney said. "All of them have run for me for a long time and have been key parts of our team."

Just like the women’s team the future seems to be bright for the men’s team with Mayernik, Duriancik, Ogden and Snyder all returning next season. Chris Noal, who was the No. 8 man this season, should also be in the mix next year."

"Next year I think A.J. and Dave will be my leaders," Mooney said. "It is nice having your No. 2 and No. 3 men back. That is a good start. John, Zac and Chris are also three key members returning. John ran solid for us this season, while Zac really came on strong every meet. Chris is ready to step into the top seven. So on paper we have five pretty good runner back, but we also have a lot of kids to replace. I think we will be alright."

GOLDEN EAGLES NOTES: The women’s team finished 7^th at the PSAC’s, while the men’s team finished 9^th ... Last season the women’s team finished 11^th at Regionals, while the men’s team was 12^th ... Boerner was the top women’s runner at PSAC’s just missing all-PSAC honors with a 16^th-place finish, while King was the top men’s runner at PSAC’s taking 31^st in a time of 36:24.

by Chris Rossetti