Call To The Hall

In his first year of eligibility Vince McNally as been inducted into the Conestoga Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Of course that comes as a surprise to no one.

From the schools press release.

"McNally graduated from CV in 2008 after earning eight varsity letters in cross-country and track. While running for the Bucks, he was a bronze medalist in the 1600m at the PIAA State Meet his sophomore year, a silver medalist his junior year and a gold medalist his senior year. He was also a member of the State Championship 3200m relay team in 2005. McNally received All-State Honors four times.
After high school, he competed in cross-country races for Penn State University. In 2009, he was voted MVP of his Nittany Lions Squad. He was selected to three All Big Ten Teams and was named to the NCAA All-Regional Team four times. Throughout his collegiate career, his race times qualified him for the National NCAA Cross Country Meet."

Vince's arrival at Penn State, in my opinion, helped revive the cross country program and put the school back on the radar for many of PA's top high school runners. He was a key cog in two national championship qualifying teams and he competed at the NCAA Cross Country Championships all four years of his career.

Vince and his high school coach.

P.S. I would like to hear his acceptance speech. I'm sure it was a doozy.
 

 

UPDATE (7:19 PM) - The acceptance speech has been found

 

Alumni Cross Country Lives Here...

With the "old" alums 8th place finish USATF Masters 5K XC Championships and the "young" alums vicotry at the Penn State National. I am one proud Penn State Track Alumnus right now. One step closer to world domination. Much belated results from Friday.

PLACE TEAM                POINTS  PLACES OF FINISHERS            AVG. TIME SPREAD

1 P S U Alum               19    1    2    3    5    8   33   35    26:24    1:00
2 Lock Haven               52    4    9   11   12   16   17   18    27:23    1:23
3 Detroit Mercy            64    6    7   13   15   23   24   25    27:26    1:20
4 St. Francis (Pa )       113   14   20   21   28   30   36         28:14    1:06
5 Robert Morris           114   10   22   26   27   29   31   32    28:14    1:09
6 Bloomsburg              167   19   34   37   38   39   40   41    29:32    2:12

1. P S U Alum
    1  Kyle Dawson                25:53    4:59
    2  Owen Dawson                26:03    5:00
    3  Sam Masters                26:26    5:05
    5  Vince McNally              26:43    5:08
    8  Brian Fuller               26:53    5:10
   33  Matt Groves                29:32    5:41
   35  Kevin Fuller               29:45    5:43
Total Time = 2:11:58     Total Places = 19


 

Penn State Track Alumni Golfers Rule the World

Well, the Penn State National Invitational, at least.  Slowly but surely, the world will be ours! (And don't call me Shirley...)

I'll let Matt fill us in with more details later, but I had to mention the victory by "the young alums". The "old alums" are next in New Jersey!...

Kevin Fuller, Sam Masters, Brian Fuller, Matt Groves, Owen Dawson, Kyle Dawson and Vince McNally.

Penn State National Preview

Here are your Penn State Alumni runners who will be towing the line tomorrow on the Blue/White Golf Course at the Penn State National.

Sam Masters - Says he if he "holds 5 minute pace it will be a really really good day." On October 5 he won the Nittany Lion Invitational hosted by the Club XC team in 25:29.79. Which is 5:08 pace.

Kyle Dawson - Recently mixing it up in the Downingtown road running scene with a 2nd place finish at Teri's Run 5K (14:26) on September 6 and a victory the following day at the Quad X Invitational open 5K (15:40).

Owen Dawson - Back to back 3rd place finishes at Teri's Run in 14:28 and 15:57 at Quad X in early September. 

Vince McNally - Finally back in shape after a long layoff with a 3rd place showing at the City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10K in 30:29 on September 29. Also came in 5th behind Kyle and Owen at Teri's Run with a time of 14:34. Despite that defeat McNally is confident the longer distance and terrain will be in his favor. "I'll beat Owen on Friday," said Vince "I should be slightly fitter than I was (on September 6) and 5.2 (miles) should wear down the sub-four minute miler."

Brain Fuller - The older of the Fuller brothers claimed first place on the runways at Washington-Dulles International Airport with a 15:16 at the Dulles Day 5K on September 14. Two weeks later he posted a 30:52 at Penns Woods Trail 10K.

Kevin Fuller - Better known for his middle-distance prowess and rabbiting world class times. The younger Fuller took 7th at the Dulles Day 5K in 16:59.

Matt Groves - Ran 1:16:25 at the ultra fast Rock n Roll Philadelphia Half-Marathon on September 25.

Unfortunately Chris Cipro will not be able to race. Despite being recovered from his marathon last weekend he cannot get out of teaching duties for the day.

In other news it is great to see current varsity team member Matt Fischer keeping the "Rusty Boots" tradition alive. We wish Fsicher and his teammates well as they will be competing at the Pre-National Invitational in Terre-Haute, IN this weekend.

"A Very Good First Day"

Here's some updates on the Watch List of PSU entries in the Penn Relays:

1. Mens Championship of America Sprint Medley Relay - Returning Champions!
2. Mens Championship of America 4 x 800 - My favorite event  (Longest standing Event Record at Penn)
3. Mens Championship of America 4 x 400 - The Quintessential Track Event.
4. Womens Championship of America Distance Medley Relay - A School Record Coming? Update:  3rd Place and a School Record! 

   11:08.41

   Rebekka Simko (3:23.0), Ijeoma Iheoma (52.8), Marta Klebe (2:09.8), Kara Millhouse (4:42.8)

5. Womens Championship Javelin - PSU is Javelin U. Update: Lauren Kenney First Place

   48.99m (160-8)  And a Watch!  Laura Loht  3rd 46.09m (151-2)

6. Women's Championship Hammer - Leading Thrower in the Big Ten!  Update:  Melissa Kurzdorfer  for the Win! And a Watch!
   

   62.53m (205-1)

7. Mens Champiopnship Shot Put - A strong duo.

And in addition there were plenty of PR's on the track at distance night!

• Womens 3000M SC  -   Emily Giannotti 2nd Place College Division 10:28.82,   Abbie Benson 5th Place College Division 10:35.5,  Natalie Bower 2nd in Championship Heat 10:14.27, Lindsey Graybill 7th in Championship Division 10:29.97.
• Mens 5000M  -  Kyle Dawson 6th in Championship Division 14:04.36, Vince McNally 8th in Championship Division 14:06.94, Chris Cipro 19th in Championship Division 14:30.43, Matt Fischer 24th in Champuionship Division 14:38.42,  Alums: Dennis Pollow Jr 6th in Olympic Development Division 14.26.68.
• Mens 10000M  -  Tom Luff 18th in Championship Division 30:36.77 Alums: Tyler McCandless 10th in Olympic Development Division 30:33.64.

World Record Attempt of 1,000 Mile Relay (Yea, You Read That Right!)

To honor Kevin Dare on the 10th anniversary of his tragic accident in August, ten Penn State Track Alums and friends will attempt to shatter the existing record for a 1,000 Mile Relay.  The 10 runners are a who's who of runners affiliated with Penn State, and I wouldn't bet against them!  Having once run a 24-Hr. Relay, I know that they are in for a wild ride.  This will take significantly longer, and the logistics of the course adds complexity to the equation.  I hope to speak with a few of the runners soon to learn more of the attempt. Teddy Quinn will act as their media consultant. Check out the Web Site for more.

The runners:

1. Luke Watson - PSU grad student and honorary PSU Track Alum Golfer
2. Brian Sell - 2008 Olympic Marathoner
3. Dennis Pollow - veteran Grand Canyon Rim to Rim (twice!)
4. Chris Cipro - Two-Year PSU Captain
5. Vince McNally - 4-time NCAA Cross Country Qualifier
6. Kyle Dawson - Three Year PSU Captain
7. Ryan Foster - Our Group's Singlet Supplier! (More on that to come.)
8. Brian Fuller - Continues his career despite also entering The Real World!
9. Owen Dawson - 800 M All-American (PSU is 800 U)
10. Tyler McCandless - 10K All-American

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.

PSU Men Second at NCAAs: Vince McNally Takes Overall Title!

In the "Stachies at Nashies" competition by FloTrack.org to bring awareness of Prostate Cancer.

If you ever want a laugh, ask Rob Whiteside about my "full beard" when he first met me.  An entire summer of not shaving led to an incomplete Fu Manchu I probably still couldn't complete.Another thing I'm not very good at...


Here's FloTrack's award to the Penn State Team as well as Vince McNally's T-Shirt award for the overall best mustache at NCAAs.

2010 NCAA Results Including Alumni Coaches

The PSU Men finished in 30th place, with Kyle Dawson and Vince McNally placing 52nd and 77th overall.  I still put special emphasis on the contribution from the middle distance guys this year.  I'm sure the 10 K distance took its toll in this race.  I'm looking forward to great 800 M and 1500 M races this year from all of them.  Overall, a good year for the team, setting themselves up for even better things in the future.

The Lady Lions placed 26th as a team, with Brooklynne Ridder placing 82nd overall.  A solid year with a great young group, with great things coming in the upcoming years.

Steve Walsh's William and Mary crew placed 19th as a team in his first year as Coach.  Let's hope his golf game won't suffer following the move to Virginia.

Kate Curran's St. Lawrence Men's team placed third overall in the Div III Championships, with Steve Kiplagat's third place pacing them.  Her Women's squad placed 23rd also.  I'm surprised she ever had the time to fill out the Ten Questions I posed to her!

Juniors Show Strong Finishes at PSU National

Both second-place finisher Kyle Dawson and third-place finisher Vince McNally show a strong finish on the hilly last mile on the Blue/White Penn State Course.  Both Kyle and Vince are Juniors, which bodes well for the championship season and beyond.

"None Shall Pass" (Actually, Only a Couple Did)

One against the men and 2 against the women.  It was a good showing at the Penn State National Invitational Cross-Country Meet at PSU this weekend.  A large number of quality teams participated in the event with the Men coming in second and the Women coming in third.

The finish of the Mens race was quite exciting with Kyle Dawson and Vince McNally (both Juniors!)  accelerating from the trailing pack to place second and third respectively.  All the scoring runners are improving each race, with the MIDDLE DISTANCE runners astounding everyone with their distance prowess.  Syracuse took the Mens title, trailed by PSU and Villanova, all ranked teams.

The Womens race was equally exciting with PSU placing third to Villanova and Syracuse.  PSU had a great spread of only :24 seconds.  Sophomore Brooklynne Ridder paced the squad with her 20th place finish.

In my long absence from the college XC scene I was not aware that it has become a contact sport.  Somewhere after the half mile mark there is apparently a bridge with a Black Knight not allowing passage without a fight!  A large number of participants were felled by the Knight. Two on the Alumni Team were bloodied in the melee.  I'm not aware of anyone still missing, but it certainly looks awful compared to the genteel sport I was familiar with.  We only attained marks like this when working out in Rec Hall!

  "It's Only a Flesh Wound!"

Despite starting in the very last corral (near Park Forest). the Alumni team of Dennis Pollow, Brian Fuller, Teddy Quinn, Cody Edling, Kevin Fuller, and Tim Johnson beat the Pitt Panthers and 4 other teams with their 22nd place team finish. They all looked resplendent with their Letterman Jackets at the alumni reception at our usual Damon's Haunt afterward.  I had offered my services as a 7th man, but officials would not allow my walker on the course.  I bring you this unique perspective on a XC start instead:

And here is footage smuggled in from the half-mile mark by brave survivors.  Let's hope the woods are rid of the riff-raff by the time of the NCAA Regionals!


And here are photos of current Letterman Jackets along with my size 34",  "Old School" model!

PSU at NCAA XC

The Big Ten Champion Lady Lions earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships with their 4th place regional finish. Bridget Franek and Nicole Lord lead the Lions into Terre Haute, Indiana for the Monday, November 23 race.

Vince McNally has the entire PSU universe on his shoulders. Only he attained an at-large bid to the finals.

And in time for Thanksgiving Dinner, I bring you this tasty video:

Halloween Thwarted: Big-Ten Honors:

Apologies to those who expected me at the Alum Halloween pre-Big Ten party this past weekend. I was unable to attend, which meant my great costume was not in the mix for "Best in Show". I know literally 3 or so people were patiently waiting for me!

The photo to the right is an artist's conception of what part of the costume might have looked like. The rest is a proprietary secret, closely guarded for the past 30 years.

Congrats to overall Big Ten XC individual winner Bridget Franek, and second-team all-Big Ten freshman Nicole Lord. And congrats to Vince McNally, also second-team all-Big Ten.

And as a service to promote a younger crowd, in addition to our usual over-the-hill gang, here's a video of Christopher Walken performing Lady Ga Ga's big hit "Poker Face".