Meredith College 2012 Cross Country Media Guide

®

’12

cross country

www.goavengingangels.com ®

Competing with Integrity, Discipline, Respect and Responsibility

Runners

Peta-Gaye Allen

Megan Beebe

Sarah Boykin

Jessica Browning

Elizabeth Bruce

Lourdes camacho

Meaghan Cooney

Callie Davis

Caitlin Dorantich

Allie Gallagher

Lacey Hambridge

Illa Jones

Ashley Kate Kesler

Alex Mayes

SyDNeY MaXWell

Lara Pantlin

Lindsay Parlberg

Yailyn Polanco

Katie Riggs

Kristin Rivera

Maggie Robinson

Mollie Schrull

Morgan Youd

2012 cross country Roster Name Yr.

Ht.

Hometown / High School

Peta-Gaye Allen Megan Beebe Sarah Boykin Jessica Browning Elizabeth Bruce Lourdes Camacho Meaghan Cooney Callie Davis Caitlin Dorantich Allie Gallagher Lacey Hambridge Illa Jones Ashley Kate Kesler Alex Mayes Sydney Maxwell Lara Pantlin Lindsay Parlberg Yailyn Polanco Katie Riggs Kristin Rivera Maggie Robinson Mollie Schrull Morgan Youd

5’2” 5’5” 5’2” 5’4” 5’7” 5’2” 5’8” 5’10” 5’8” 5’6” 5’2” 5’4” 5’2” 5’1” 5’7” 6’1” 5’3” 5’5” 5’5” 5’0” 5’5” 5’4” 5’7”

Garner, N.C. / Garner Salisbury, Md. / James M. Bennett Fuquay-Varina, N.C. / Middle Creek Morganton, N.C. / Draughn Raleigh, N.C. / Sanderson Las Vegas, Nev. / Western Charlotte, N.C. / Providence Lumberton, N.C. / Lumberton Newport, N.C. / West Carteret Raleigh, N.C. / Leesville Charlotte, N.C. / Providence Denton, N.C. / Gray Stone Day Gold Hill, N.C. / East Rowan Mount Airy, N.C. / Mount Airy Cary N.C. / Apex Cary, N.C. / Athens Drive Birch Run, Mich. / Birch Run Sanford, N.C. / Lee Senior Richlands, N.C. / Richlands Johns Creek, Ga. / Northview Lincolnton, N.C. / North Lincolnton Sanford, N.C. / Lee County Cary, N.C. / Green Hope

So. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr.

Head Coach: Amy Olsen Assistant Coach: Bill Koester

Athletic Facilities Weatherspoon Gymnasium The home to Meredith’s basketball and volleyball teams. The facility provides up-close seating for over 500 spectators. The complex also includes locker rooms, athletics offices, a training room, a fitness center, a 5,000 square-foot dance studio and a six-lane, indoor swimming pool.

Meredith Athletic Field and Track Complex The home to Meredith’s soccer, cross country and lacrosse teams. The complex includes a lighted competition level track, a FieldTurf artificial playing surface capable of supporting soccer and lacrosse games and a storage facility. Future phases of the project will include a grandstand, hospitality areas, support facilities, restrooms, brick arcade and locker rooms. The cross country team uses the complex as well as the College’s 225-acre campus and the Reedy Creek Greenway.

The cross country team runs a competitive schedule in local and regional meets.

Meredith Softball Complex The home of Meredith softball has undergone several renovations

Meredith Tennis Complex

in the last year. The addition of irrigation to the Bermuda field and

The home of the Meredith tennis program includes six lighted tennis

infield improvements have stepped up the playing conditions to

courts. Over the summer of 2007, the courts were resurfaced with a

make it one of the best fields in the area. New dugouts have also

new color scheme—a “US Open Blue” inner court surrounded by a

been completed to increase comfort for the players and enhance

green outer court. This new color scheme will help to heighten the

the game atmosphere.

visibility of the ball for players and fans.

Coaching Staff bill koester

amy olsen Home Course.. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meredith College Campus

Bill Koester enters his seventh season as assistant coach of the

Alma Mater/Year. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eastern Kentucky/1995

Meredith College Cross Country team. Koester has been with the pro-

Phone.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (919) 760-8734

gram since it was started as a varsity sport in 2005.

Email.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . olsenamy@meredith.edu

Koester has more than 20 years of coaching experience in cross counAmy Olsen enters her seventh sea-

try and track and field. Koester was

son as head coach of the Meredith

the assistant cross country and track

College Cross Country team. Olsen

coach at Cardinal Newman High

coached the team to a third place

School. While there he coached the

finish in 2010 and 2011 and three

team to three state championships,

consecutive fourth place finishes in

two individual state championships

the USA South Athletic Conference

and three girls’ conference team

championships in their first four

championships. He has also served

years in the conference. The 2006

in other coaching positions at other

team completed a third place finish

high schools to help improve the

in the USA South as a non-confer-

distance programs at Millbrook High

ence member and won the Division III State Championship in 2005.

School, North Carolina School of Science and Math and Ravenscroft

Olsen has been with the program since it was established as a varsity

School. He helped coach the 2005 Ravenscroft High School boys

sport in 2005.

track team to its first state team championship.

Olsen came to Meredith from NCAA Division I member Duke Univer-

Koester, who ran track while attending Saint Leo College in Florida,

sity where she served two years as the women’s cross country/track

is a member of the National Scholastic Sport Foundation and the

assistant coach. During her time there, they finished as the NCAA

founder and editor of Trackhonors.com.

cross country national runner-up in 2005. Previously, Olsen served five years as head cross country/ track coach at Charleston Southern University. She also served two years as graduate assistant coach at Northern Arizona University. While she was there, the men’s and women’s teams finished in the top 10 in the Division I NCAA cross country championships.

Olsen competed in cross country and track at Eastern Kentucky University. Her accomplishments included obtaining the school record in 10,000 meters and becoming a three-time Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country champion. She was also a top ten finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year award in 1995.

Olsen holds a Master of Arts in exercise science from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor of Arts in physical education from Eastern Kentucky University.

pi

MA

New York

CT

Michigan

RI

USA South Athletic Conference Pennsylvania NJ

Ohio

MD

Indiana

Delaware

West Virginia

Virginia

The USA South Athletic Conference is home to 13 institutions, five in North Carolina, four in Virginia, three in Georgia and one in Tennessee. Beginning with the 2012-13 year,

North Carolina

Tennessee

LaGrange, Piedmont and Maryville Colleges join Averett University, Christopher Newport University, Ferrum College, Greensboro College, Mary Baldwin College, Meredith Col-

South Carolina

lege, Methodist University, North Carolina Wesleyan College and William Peace University as full members. Agnes Scott College became a competing member of the conference in

Alabama

Georgia

the fall of 2009 as a women’s lacrosse only member. The 2013-14 year will see the transition of Christopher Newport into a football-only member, while Covenant College of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, and Huntingdon College of Montgomery, Alabama, join as full members.

Florida sports information

Media Information All inquiries about interviews, press credentials, broadcasting requests, and other related sports information areas should be sent

Meredith College Quick Facts

to Wendy Jones, interim sports information director, at joneswen@

Location .. ......................................... Raleigh, N.C.

meredith.edu, (919) 760-8811.

Founded .................................................. 1891

Broadcasting Information

Enrollment ......................................... ...... 1,947

The 2012-13 sports season will feature most Meredith College

Nickname ...................................... Avenging Angels

home athletics events to be broadcast live and archived on the athletics web site. The schedule for athletics events can be found on Meredith’s official athletics web site at goavengingangels.com.

goavengingangels.com Follow the Avenging Angels on Meredith’s official athletics web site

Colors ................................ Maroon, Black and White Affiliation.................................... NCAA Division III Conference . . .................. USA South Athletic Conference President . . .............................................. Jo Allen

at goavengingangels.com throughout the 2012-13 season. The site

Athletics Director ................... Jackie Myers (Elon/1978)

features game notes, schedules, rosters, player and coach bios, game

Interim Sports Information Director...................... Wendy Jones

recaps and special news related to the program.

Senior Woman Administrator/Athletic Trainer...... Sharon Malley Athletics Department Phone ................. (919) 760-8205

facebook.com/meredithavengingangels twitter.com/AvengingAngels

Athletics Web Site ...................... goavengingangels.com Mailing Address ..... 3800 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607 SID Office Phone ............................. (919) 760-8811 SID Email. . ........................... joneswen@meredith.edu

goavengingangels.com/information/recruits/blog

Meredith College Athletics History Athletics at Meredith

NCAIAW state championship while the tennis team took the confer-

College began in

ence title. The golf team finished second in the AIAW Division III

1904 with the advent

national tournament in 1981, in Meredith’s first bid for a national

of Meredith’s Athletic

championship. Softball was added as a varsity sport during the

Association. The first

1985-86 academic year. The most recent varsity sports to be

competitive games

added were cross country in 2005 and lacrosse in 2012.

against other schools were held in 1904 with two games against St. Mary’s College. In the

In recent years at Meredith, there has been an increase in the com-

early years, Meredith athletic activities included swimming, soccer,

petitiveness of the athletics programs on a regional and national level

horseback riding, tennis, baseball, basketball, golf, football and field

in Division III. The program has had seven NCAA tournament bids

hockey. The first events were primarily inter-class competitions. In

across three different sports since 2001 (basketball 2001, 2003;

1937, Meredith became a part of the United States Conference.

tennis 2003, 2007, 2009; and soccer 2007, 2008). In 2007, Meredith’s athletics identity became the “Avenging Angels” to emphasize

In 1944, Meredith’s freshman-sophomore basketball team

the prowess of Meredith athletes. The 2007-08 season marked the

defeated the team from what is now Peace College, marking the

first year of competition in the

beginning of a cross-town rivalry between the two Raleigh women’s

USA South Athletic Confer-

colleges. In 1952, the basketball team and the field hockey team

ence. Meredith was the first

pulled out impressive victories against the University of North

single gender institution to

Carolina and Duke.

win a conference title with both tennis and soccer tour-

In 1970, Meredith athletics took on a new life with the completion

nament wins in 2008-09. The

of Weatherspoon Gymnasium. Volleyball and tennis saw their first

soccer team added a regular

winning seasons during the 1970s. In 1980, the golf team won the

season title in 2009.

Meredith College Athletics Program THE DIVISION III EXPERIENCE

61.9% of Meredith’s student-athletes finished the year with a 3.0 or

Meredith athletics teams participate in Division III of the National Colle-

higher GPA. Of those scholar athletes, 26.2% earned at least a 3.5 GPA,

giate Athletic Association. Meredith College fully supports the Division III

and five student-athletes were recognized with a 4.0.

experience that allows the student athlete to enjoy competitive sports and other activities throughout their college years. Division III athletics offers

MEDICAL SERVICES

student-athletes the opportunity to become well-rounded individuals who

In addition to the academic and fitness programs available, the

successfully integrate athletics and academics while experiencing all

athletic training staff provides excellent care for participants. The

aspects of college life. Student-athletes who compete at this level can

athletic training support staff consists of head athletic trainer, Sharon

receive academic and need-based financial assistance. The athletic de-

Malley, and Assistant Athletic Trainer Heidi Roach. Dr. Doug Martini

partment is staffed and funded like any other department in the College.

of Cary Orthopedic serves as the program’s team physician. In addition, Meredith College serves as a clinical site for the UNC-Chapel Hill

ACADEMICS

Undergraduate Athletic Training Program. Some of the services and

Meredith College’s commitment to academics is exemplified by its ath-

equipment provided in the Weatherspoon Gymnasium include a whirl-

letics teams. Each year, the USA South Athletic Conference recognizes

pool, hydrocollator, ultrasound, injury ice and electrical stimulation.

its student-athletes’ hard work in the classroom by naming an Academic All-Conference team. A student-athlete must have earned a 3.0 GPA in

COMMUNITY SERVICE

each of the two semesters of a given year to be eligible. The Meredith

Members from each team are elected to the Student Athlete Advisory

athletics program extends its commitment to academic success by rec-

Committee that organizes support for each sport and also coordinates

ognizing student-athletes who earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA as members of

community service. Past volunteer work includes Special Olympics of Wake

the Athletics Director’s Club and those who earn a perfect 4.0 GPA with

County, Habitat for Humanity, Service Raleigh, and the USA South Athletic

the Vice-President’s Scholar-Athlete Award. During the 2011-12 season,

Conference’s Cans Across the Conference and Pennies for a Purpose.

about Meredith nis courts, a putting green, an athletic field and track complex and two miles of greenway connecting our campus to the community.

Campus Life • Total enrollment for 2012-13 is 1,947, which includes 1,665 undergraduate students and 282 graduate-level students.

• Meredith sponsors juried student exhibitions, an active concert schedule, visiting artists and exhibitions featuring professional artists.

• Students participate in theatre and dance performance troupes and a variety of vocal and instrumental ensembles.

• Meredith students advance their leadership skills in programs such as the Emerging Leader Seminar Series, Officer and Advisor Train-

Academics and Special Programs • Meredith offers 32 majors.

• Meredith awards Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of

ing, Sophie Lanneau Women’s Leadership Development Program and the LeaderShape® Institute.

Music; Bachelor of Social Work; Master of Business Administration;

Tuition and Financial Assistance

Master of Education; Master of Arts in Teaching; and Master of Sci-

• Tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students in 2012-13 is

ence in Nutrition degrees.

• The Undergraduate Research Program supports student/faculty partnerships in the pursuit of research and creative activity in all fields. College funds support these projects and underwrite travel costs for students presenting their work at conferences. 48% of

$29,106, with room and board at $8,348, for a total of $37,454.

Cost for part-time students is $763 per credit hour, with a graduated fee schedule.

• In 2010–11, Meredith coordinated $41.8 million in financial aid for our students.

Meredith students participate in undergraduate research with a faculty member.

• Study abroad options include faculty-led summer programs in Italy, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Iceland, France, Spain and the United Kingdom. Meredith offers a semester study abroad program in Sansepolcro, Italy; students can also choose from a variety of semester and year-long travel opportunities throughout the world. Semester programs at the United Nations in New York City or in Washington, D.C. are also available.

• Post-baccalaureate certificate programs at Meredith include a Paralegal Program, a Pre-Health Program, a Dietetic Internship Program, and a Didactic Program in Dietetics.

Faculty • The undergraduate student-faculty ratio is approximately 12:1. The average class size is 17.

• Of the 121 full-time faculty members, 93% have earned doctoral or terminal degrees. Sixty-seven percent of the full-time faculty is female and 33% is male.

Campus and Facilities • Meredith’s 225-acre campus includes a 1,200-seat amphitheater on a lake, seven residence halls, a music library, art galleries, a research greenhouse, music practice rooms, auditoriums, a theater, concert halls, a student center, computer labs, a child care lab, a learning center, an autism lab, an astronomy observation deck, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a dance studio, lighted ten-

about raleigh • The capital city of North Carolina has a population of nearly 400,000 • Raleigh is located 150 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean and 190 east of the Great Smoky Mountains • Raleigh has an annual average high of 70 degrees and low of 47 • Raleigh is a true college town; in addition to Meredith, it is home to NC State University, Peace College, St. Augustine’s College and Shaw University. NC Central University, UNCChapel Hill and Duke University are also located within 30 minutes of Meredith’s campus.

• Area sports teams include Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), Carolina Mudcats (AA baseball), Durham Bulls (AAA baseball) and Carolina Railhawks (USL-1 soccer).

• Raleigh is home to entertainment venues including the PNC Arena, Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion and the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Some recent artists: Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay and John Mayer.

• Raleigh’s active arts scene is supported by the N.C. Museum of Art, which is connected to Meredith by a greenway that runs through campus. Other museums include the North Carolina Museum of History and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

2012 cross country Schedule Date Opponent Location Time

Sep 7

at Seahawk Invitation

Wilmington, N.C.

6 p.m.

Sep 14

at Adidas Cross Country Challenge

Cary, N.C.

Sep 28

at Great American Cross Country Festival

Cary, N.C.

Sep 29

at 29th Annual Greensboro XC Invitational

Pleasant Garden, N.C.

1 p.m.

Oct 13

at Christopher Newport Invitational

Newport News, Va.

12 p.m.

Oct 27

vs. USA South Cross Country Championships

Pleasant Garden, N.C.

12 p.m.

Nov 10

vs. NCAA South/Southeast Regional

Hampton, Va.

11 a.m.

Schedule is subject to change.

Visit www.goavengingangels.com for up-to-date information.

3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607-5298 www.goavengingangels.com

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