Previous Performance of the Year Winners

Don't forget to vote in this year's version of the Performance of the Year Poll on the left side of the full web site!

This marks the 6th year of the poll.  I'm not sure why it took me 3 years until I started doing it.

• 2011 - Caitlin Lane - Big Ten Cross Country victory.
• 2012 - Bridget Franek - Finals of the Olympic 3000M Steeplechase.
• 2013 - Penn Relays Distance Medley Relay Championship of America.  (Brannon Kidder, Brandon Bennett-Green, Casimir Loxsom, Robbie Creese)
• 2014 - Brannon Kidder - School Record 1500M.
• 2015 - Joe Kovacs - Shot Put World Championship.

The Final Listing Of The Greatest Penn State Womens Cross Country Runners Of All Time, Just In Time For Christmas Unwrapping

With the combination of the AIAW results from 1975-1980 and the NCAA results from 1981 to the present, we finally have complete results of the Womens Collegiate Championships.  Those who finished in the top 50 of any of those Championships are included in the rankings.  A complex, flawed and arbitrary method was used to rank them according to my whim and mood.  I was persistent to find all these results so that I could include some friends I have actually run some miles with.  Merry Christmas to Patty, Mary, Kathy, Liz, Kris and Heather.

1. Kathy Mills Parker - 3rd 1976, 1st 1977, 3rd 1978, 4th 1979 for 179.6 points.
2. Liz Berry Larsen - - 15th 1975, 11th 1976 and 16th 1977 for 97.3 points. 
3. Kris Bankes - 3rd 1975, 43rd 1976, 15th 1977 for 79.6 points. 
4. Heather Carmichael - 8th 1979, 24th 1980, 31st 1981, 43rd 1983 for 77.6 points. 
5. Bridget Franek - 23rd 2008, 26th 2009 for 52.8 points.
6. Susanne Heyer - 14th 2000 for 36.7 points.
7. Caitlin Lane - 16th 2011 for 35.0 points.
8. Liz Cunningham Kisenwether - 12th 1975 for 33.5 points.
9. Stacia Prey - 23rd 1985, 41st 1987, 31st 1988 for 30.1 points. 
10. Kimberly Kelly Segiel - 27th 1992, 35th 1994 for 28.4 points.
11. Patty Murnane Nosack - 24th 1979 for 26.4 points.
12. Mary Rawe Rapp - 26th 1980 for 20.1 points.
13. Kimberly McGreevy - 28th in 1996 for 19.4 points. 
14. Donna Gardner - 34th 1976 for 13.1 points.
15. Tessa Barrett - 38th 2015 for 13.0 points. 
16. Doreen Startare McCoubrie - 28th in 1982 for 12.0 points.
17. Kelli Hunt - 42nd 1992, 44th 1993 for 11.4 points. 
18. Colleen Glyde - 41st 1992 for 7.1 points. 
19. Wendy Nelson - 43rd 1990 for 5.6 points.
20. Eileen Meenan - 45th 1975 for 5.2 points.
21. Torri Perri - 47th 2012 for 4.0 points. 
22. Erin St. John - 46th 1994 for 3.6 points. 
23. Jennifer Weaver - 46th 1993 for 3.6 points. 
24. Meredith White - 45th 1984 for 2.6 points. 

Top Penn State (NCAA-Era) Womens Cross Country Runners Of All-Time

The Math Intern is redeemed and was finally allowed out of the basement when he finished the calculations for the Womens version of the All-Time Best list.

The criteria for the Womens list are similar to those used for the Men.  The main difference is that runners in the top-50 of any NCAA Championships were included. (Sorry Patty Murnane, 51st in 1978!)  This also excludes PSU greats like Kathy Mills, Peggy Cleary and Liz Berry who ran before the NCAA included women.  Hey, hey, hey! We don't want to exclude the AIAW Women.  We would love to merge those results into the NCAA results.  If anyone has access to full results from the AIAW years, please let us know!!!!  Let's keep the Intern busy.

The Criteria:

1. All PSU runners finishing in the top 50 of an NCAA Championship Meet are included.
2. Points are awarded in a reverse order of their finish.  A 50th place finish is worth 1 point and a first place finish is worth 50 points.  This skews the results toward those that run in multiple NCAA Championships. But placing high still means the most.
3. Tiebreakers: a) # of appearances in NCAAs top 50 and  b) most recent to oldest.

• Each year's finishing point total from earlier is multiplied by a factor defined as:

# of Finishers in Race Year (x)

# of Finishers in 2009 (254) 

The Top Penn State Women NCAA Cross Country Runners Of All-Time:

1. Bridget Franek - 23rd 2008, 26th 2009 for 52.8 points.
2. Susanne Heyer - 14th 2000 for 36.7 points.
3. Caitlin Lane - 16th 2011 for 35.0 points.
4. Stacia Perry - 23rd 1985, 41st 1987, 31st 1988 for 30.1 points.
5. Kimberly Kelly - 27th 1992, 35th 1994 for 28.4 points.
6. Kimberly McGreevy - 28th in 1996 for 19.4 points.
7. Heather Carmichael - 31st 1981, 43rd 1983 for 13.1 points.
8. Doreen Startare - 28th in 1982 for 12.0 points.
9. Kelli Hunt - 42nd 1992, 44th 1993 for 11.4 points.
10. Colleen Glyde - 41st 1992 for 7.1 points.
11. Wendy Nelson - 43rd 1990 for 5.6 points.
12. Torri Perri - 47th 2012 for 4.0 points.
13. Erin St. John - 46th 1994 for 3.6 points.
14. Jennifer Weaver - 46th 1993 for 3.6 points.
15. Meredith White - 45th 1984 for 2.6 points.  

Torri Perri, 2012.

Doreen Startare, left, 1982.

Caitlin Lane, 2011.

Bridget Franek, 2008, 2009.

Kathy Mills, pre-NCAA Legend.

Heather Carmichael, front, training with Arthur Lydiard.

Champions! With a Little Physics, Golf and Adam Sandler!

Caitlin Lane was honored at the start of the PSU/Navy Football game on Saturday for her Big Ten Cross-Country victory last year.

Chris Foster won the Nautica Malibu Triathlon over the weekend.

And Happy Gilmore was right! Physics shows us his swing technique could add 10% to his driving distance.  And its all somehow legal in the golf world!

Women Dominate Distance Events at B1G (That's the new-fangled symbol I'll never get used to!)

The PSU Mens Team ended up in 6th Place at the Big Ten Championships, while the Women placed 3rd overall.  Bolstered by the distance exploits of Caitlin Lane, Kara Millhouse, Brooklynne Ridder and Rebekkah Simko, the distance events were thoroughly dominted by speedy Lady Lions. 

Here's the Women's Mile final:



And congrats to Frugal Uncle Joe for winning the Mens Mile Prediction!

Wow!

In his first ever college race, Freshman Robbie Creese bided his time in the first half of his 1000 M race and then just turned on the gas. He never let up until the tape and then the fun began. His 2:19.53 was obviously better than Clothing Engineer Ryan Foster's School Record. But then it was also the facility record and the event record. As if that wasn't enough, it bettered Alan Webb's 2006 Junior Record. (Robbie won't turn 19 until August!) After additional checking it turns out his effort is the Indoor 1000 M Collegiate Record! This bettered a former 2008 Olympian's previous record, (Christian Smith).  Wow!

There were other signs of a big season upcoming from the Nittany Lions:

1. Caitlin Lane - School Record 1000 M  - 2:44.24.
2. Casimir Loxsom - School Record 600 M - 1:16.66.
3. Jane Swenson's second straight home victory in the shot put - 47' 7".
4. Will Barr's second straight home victory in the 35 lb weight throw - 60' 11.5" (approximately 60 ' further than I could ever throw it!) And this article on Will comes from Blog Laureate Larry Mangan.  We are trying to come up with a different title for Larry. which should be finalized following the Penn State National.)
5. Hanif Johnson- Triple Jump of 51' 4.25" (third in the nation!)
6. Jon Hendershot - another 7' clearance in the high jump.

I apologize for missing so many other worthy efforts!  I can't wait to see the Nits at the Penn State National!

Top Honors Go To Caitlin Lane

That's Caitlin Lane following her All-American performance at the recent NCAA Cross-Country Championships.  She follows that up with top honors in the very first-ever PSU Track and Field Alumni Golf Performance of the Year voting.

Caitlin wins for her first place finish at the Big Ten Cross Country Championships, edging out fellow Lady Lion Doreen McCoubrie's (Startare) for her 2:50 Marathon performance at the Philly Marathon right around the same time as Caitlin's XC exploits.

Thanks to all who voted in the largest poll ever among this crowd of moronic juveniles! Remember, performance of the year can mean anything among the human experience, not just athletic exploits, so even old, out-of-shape alums like me can compete for next year's prize. (So get to work being awesome.)  Nominations will be continuously taken on the right sidebar for next year's award. 

Cross Country Recap: Performances of the Year

In no particular order!

1.  Coach Alford-Sullivan being selected to receive the 2011 Joseph Robichaux Award, which acknowledges a coach, administrator, or volunteer who has made a significant impact in women's track and field in the United States. Congrats!
2. Owen Dawson's  performance at the NCAA Regionals at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  As I always kid Steve Shisler, "Not bad for a half-miler!" (It's only in jest and I condemn myself after each utterance.)  I see some great middle distance efforts ahead!
3. Caitlin Lane's All-American performance at the NCAA Championships.  Enough said!
4. Doreen McCoubrie's (Startare) marathon at Philly last month.  2:50:23 at age 50. (Sorry about that Doreen, but I suppose everyone knows now!) This is very near Joan Benoit Samuelson's World Record for the age group and placed first in the age-adjusted scores now used widely for comparisons.  (And Doreen, you need an Alumni Singlet!)

19th Century Conditions Here With 21st Century Results From Illinois

As my power remains out, I've put guinea pigs to work trying to make enough energy to put a post up on Halloween.  The little guys are rowing like crazy like on TV, except for the fat one, who just keeps saying "row" over and over again.

Caitlin Lane propelled her Women's Team to a third place at the Big Ten XC Championships in Illinois with her individual win.  Congrats Caitlin!

The Men's team finished 6th behind Kyle Dawson and Vince McNally's 11th and 12th place finish.  Next up are the NCAA Regional Qualifiers.

"His mudder was a mudder..."

Even non-participants like the ever-working Jess Riden (I really need to come up with a proper title for her group status!) found the driving rain and dirt in a emulsified, colloidal suspension (otherwise known as mud) difficult at yesterdays Penn State Open.  The Men placed first in the event and the Women third in a strong field.

Kyle Dawson placed third overall in the difficult conditions on the 5.2 mile Blue/White course. Vince McNally followed up in 7th place.  On the women's side,  Kara Millhouse and Caitlin Lane placed 4th and 5th in the wet conditions. At least it wasn't snow!

The Alumni Team was short a man, but I would like to think that all of us in the vast audience of this blog were the fifth man they so desired!  I salute Kevin Fuller,  Matt Groves, Chris Ferry and Cody Edling for braving the weather and representing us in stellar fashion. I'm hoping someone will come up with some photos of them as my day-job kept me away from playing in the mud.

Caitlin Lane Blogs

PSU XC standout Caitlin Lane has been blogging about the current season on the PSU site.  You can get some inside information and keep up with the current teams via her reports.  Caitlin's Women's squad has moved into the top 20 nationally and 4th regionally while the Men are poised to break into the top 30 soon.  I hope to meet up with them at the upcoming Penn State National Open (as well as the PSU Alumni Team!).

PSU Athletes Dominate in Paradise (and also Kauai!)

Everyone's opinion of Paradise varies.  I never think of a tropical island when thinking of paradise.  I tend more to think of mountain vistas, something like the overlook at the Bear Meadows/Switchback Loop, (believe it or not!).  Very few would think of Lock Haven University as paradise, but then again it is a sort of paradise for cross country runners.  A beautiful mountain setting with ravenous fans ain't all bad!

The PSU squads had a good opening and winning meet at the Dolan Duels at Lock Haven over the weekend, with Caitlin Lane and Kyle Dawson taking wins in both races.  This earned them Big Ten honors as athlete's-of-the-week.  They now have a week off for additional training before the season gets into full gear.


I've never been to Oregon, but plenty of runners classify it as paradise, and who am I to argue?  Bridget Franek, just back from the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, will recommence her pro career in Oregon.  Getting paid to run seems like paradise to me.

And what most people feel is paradise happens to be Hawaii, and PSU Alumni (Golfer) Tyler McCandless has that covered too!  He won the Kauai Marathon in record time over the weekend. Not bad for a day's work.  Sure beats my day job!  With our new friend (and Director of the Honolulu Marathon) Jonathan Cross, maybe we can score Tyler an invite to the big island (or is that not the big island?).

PSU is 800 U : Women's Edition

The PSU Women's  4 X 800 quartet also placed well in the Championship of America Race on Saturday.  Their 8:39.44 effort eclipsed the 1978 school record!  Congrats to Caitlin Lane (2:08.52), Rebekka Simko (2:08.36), Kaylin Fisher (2:12.46) and Maura Ryan (2:10.10). Certainly no slight is ever intended by my omission of such great efforts.  Blog fact-checkers have been reprimanded and admonished.  PSU is certainly 800 U.

Distance Runners Open Outdoor Season in Style!

Led by Kara Millhouse's School Record 10,000 M Run, the PSU Quintet all had good starts to their Outdoor 2011 seasons.  Kara shattered the 10 K mark by more than 30 seconds with her 33:31.93 to place 10th in a loaded field.

Caitlin Lane PR'ed (old school abbreviation there!) with a 16:18.14 in the 5,000 M. She was followed by Brooklynne Ridder  16:45.08.  Natalie Bower hurdled and water-jumped to a 10:21.87 for the eighth best Steeplechase in School history.

The lone PSU Mens Team member making the long trip was Tasmanian Ryan Foster, who placed fifth in the 1500 M with a 3:45.56.

I'm looking forward to some great performances from both ranked PSU Teams this season!

"Last Chance" and the Holy Grail!

There were several great performances this weekend at the "Last Chance" meet in Notre Dame.  PSU Men's 4 x 400 Relay squad won the race with a splendid 3:07.27.  Aaron Nodolsky, Lionel Williams, Brady Gehret and Casimir Loxsom set the PSU School Record with the effort.  Both Gehret and Loxsom had sub-46 second splits!  (Casimir also had a sub-1:46 effort in the 800 M the night before in the Distance Medley Relay.)

Caitlin Lane also lit the track on fire on Friday night with her come-from-behind victory in the mile with a 4:38.47 time over the distance.  This places her second all-time at PSU, behind only Bridget Franek, now running for Nike.

But the Big News is I have finally found my Holy Grail!  This is all thanks to our Official Photograph Supplier and Friend of the Group Walt Chadwick.  For two years we have scoured the digital and film archives all over the world.  (Actually I just kept pestering everyone I knew to find them.)  But we have finally come up with museum-quality prints of the 1985 4 X 800  PSU victory at Penn Relays (7:11.17!).  These will be unveiled at the next Harry Groves Golf Outing and Reunion Friday Night Reception.  We will also have an extensive catalog of vintage PSU prints to peruse of both Men and Women PSU Tracksters. This is just a hint of the black and white goodness that was that epic run...

Big Ten Championships

Shavon Greaves in the 200 M and the 4 X 400 Relay squad of Greaves, Doris Anyanwu, Ijeoma Iheoma and Megan Duncan captured individual Big Ten Championships at the Indoor meet.  Caitlin Lane placed second in the mile with her PR.  The Women's Team placed second overall.

On the Men's side, Joe Kovacs uncorked a monster shot put to win the event, his first.  His heave was the second longest in PSU history.  Ryan Foster won his third consecutive 800 M title.  Both Brady Gehret and Cas Loxsom snagged second places, as the men placed 6th in the Big Ten.

There's Those Orange Spikes Again!

The Nittany Lion squads split up into three parts and traveled all over the country two weeks prior to the Big Ten Championships.  Some decided that State College didn't have enough snow, so they headed to the Tyson Invitational in Arkansas!  Others wanted rain instead of snow and split for Washington and the Husky Classic.  Still others longed to get away from the hustle and bustle that is PSU, so they headed to Akron, Ohio and the Akron Invitational!

Caitlin Lane apparently saw PSU Track Alum Mark Hawkins' beautiful spikes and garnered her own set in order to achieve a PR in the 3000 M at the Husky Classic.*  Her 9:18.74 time puts her in the upper echelon of Lady Lions all-time.

The Men's Distance Medley Relay squad placed second at the same meet with a time of 9:35.68, second place all-time in PSU Indoor history. Owen Dawson, Aaron Nodolsky, Lionel Williams and Ryan Foster had a wonderful tune-up for the Big Tens in 2 weeks.

And the Big Men again nabbed first and second place with excellent throws in Akron Ohio.  Blake Eaton edged Joe Kovacs, 62' 10.5" to 62' 1.25".  Both also placed well in the discus, an event not commonly  seen indoors.

Sam Borchers emerged from the early heats in the mile with a season best of 4:03.91, a race that saw 4 PSU runners under 4:10.  (Nick Scarpello, 4:09.62; Tyler Corkedale, 4:09.23; and Owen Dawson 4:07.47)

* Liberties may have been taken with the reported timing of the spikes purchase for dramatic effect.