2011 WVU Cross Country Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS & CREDITS

2................................................................. In the Spotlight 3..................................................A Championship Program 4-5.................................................................All-Americans 6-7.......................................................BIG EAST Conference 8-9............................................................. Athletic Training 10.............................................. Strength and Conditioning 11.................................... Mountaineers In The Community 12-15............................................Student-Athlete Services 16-19................................................................Campus Life 20-22............................................. Mountaineer Excellence

COACHING STAFF

24-25............................................. Head Coach Sean Cleary 26....................................... One-on-One with Coach Cleary 28...................................................................Support Staff

MOUNTAINER PROFILES

30............................................................................ Rosters 31.............................................................Stephanie Caruso 32.......................................................... Kaylyn Christopher 33...................................................................Kate Harrison 34......................................................................Ahna Lewis 35............................................................. Jessica O’Connell 36.............................................................. Stephanie Aldea 36...........................................................Sarah-Anne Brault 37...............................................................Kaitlyn Gillespie 38......................................... Aubrey Moskal/Hallie Portner 39............................................Rachel Buser/Jordan Hamric 40....................................... Chelsea Jarvis/Sarah Martinelli 41................... Josie Crouch/Alison Kimble/Lydia Martinelli 42...................Sarah McCauley/Allison Pettit/Letitia Probst

2011

44-46.......................................................... Season Preview 46.................................................................2011 Schedule

2010

48-49........................................................... Season Review 49.............................................................................Results 50.................................................................Meet-by-Meet

RECORD BOOK

52.............................................................................Honors 53-56.............................................................All-Americans

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

58.......................................President Dr. James P. Clements 59.......................................Director of Athletics Oliver Luck 60.......................................................Athletics Senior Staff 61......................................................... WVU Head Coaches 62............................................................. Athletic Facilities 63.......................................................... Media Information 64..........................................WVU Sports Communications

Use your smartphone or mobile device reader, scan the QR Code and it will re-direct you to the cross country homepage.

The 2011 West Virginia University cross country guide has been published by the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Managing Editor: Joe Swan Editor: Tim Goodenow Author: Daniel Whitehead Page Layout: Blaine Turner Advertising Inc., Morgantown, W.Va.; Grant Dovey Cover Design: Tim Goodenow Photographers: All-Pro Photography by Dale Sparks, Bob Beverly, John Bright, Tad Davis, M.G. Ellis, Pete Emerson, Dan Friend, Jeff Geissler, Tim Goodenow, David Green, Mike Hardy, Julia Lucas, Dan Nagy, Brian Persinger, Steve Prunty, Chuck Scheer, Steve Smith, Martin Valent, WVU Athletic Archives, WVU Photographic Services, Alison Toffle, David Zicherman.

Contributors: Lisa Ammons, Julie Brown, Grant Dovey, Mickey Glowackey, Michael Fragale, Katie Kane, Brian Kuppelweiser, Cheryl Maust, Shannon McNamara, Bryan Messerly, Mike Montoro, Amy Prunty, John Riedesel. © 2011 West Virginia Department of Intercollegiate Athletics The indicia depicted are registered trademarks of West Virginia University.

West Virginia University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT Choosing to become a Mountaineer is special.

Without a professional sports team in the state, folks across the state and throughout the region love West Virginia University athletics.

No school helps its student-athletes more than the people at WVU. Mountaineers have the unique opportunity to represent themselves, their teammates and their university to news media, alumni, friends, family and the general public. Your interaction with these groups is also part of your educational process.

If you take advantage of these opportunities, it can have a positive effect, not only on your career as a student-athlete at West Virginia, but also on your life after you have donned the Old Gold and Blue.

Sports

Inside today College football

Florida’s Tim Tebow could play in Oct. 10 game, against LSU.

Page 5-B SPORTS DESK ■

(304) 291-9431

No change in Big East hoops tourney format IF THE WEST

In the works College football

Coverage of the WVUColorado game, at Milan Puskar Stadium.

Rodgers waits fo

JUSTIN JACKSON

Speedy TB yearns to make plays

Friday R

TUESDAY, SEPT.

r his chance 29, 2009 THE DOMINION POST

is quicker, “He’s one of those more explosive guys who Colorado wants to make like [over] 10 to plays and get on at WVU 15 yards. But if the field, and he’s always been that 7:30 p.m. you were to say way,” Beatty said.

Thursday The coach has nothing the length of the but comTV: ESPN field, I’d be will- pliments for Rodgers and his noseChannel 35 ing to bet that to-the-grindstone work ethic.

RADIO: WAJR “Mark is one of Mark could those guys

BY STEFANIE LOH 1440 AM maybe beat comes to work every day,” who Beatty The Dominion Post said. “I have no NEWSPAPER: him.” problem putting The Dominion Pop quiz: Which Rodgers ran Mark out there. As a matter BIG EAST NOTEBO of what I thought of fact, OK little tailbacks would WVU’s speedy Post track in high he needs to play a little last year.” running backs more.

The WVU team “It’s just hard to school and once that started

BY STEFANIE LOH coach Chris Beatget reps when the 2003 season you have Noel clocked 1-4 ended up winThe Dominion Post 10.5s back in ty put money on the 100M at the ning its next seven California Invita- needs to play more there. But he games to finin the 100m run? tional Finals. He’s and he deserves WVU head coach ish the year 8-5. also raced Uni- to play more.” versity of California Noel Devine? art has said it before,Bill StewFast forward to running back On his part, Rodgers he’s been the present and dark horse Nope. saying it for the is patientHeisman candi- ly awaiting a past year and day, and Stewart might be time when he’ll be on to It’s not Jock date Jahvid Best. able now he’ll say it something when he says his to carve his own Sanders either. team niche in the Best won in 10.3s, matured in Boulder. again.

“The coaches always offense.

WVU is 10Devine and faster than Rodgers’ just a hair 3 since their defeat tell me to Last year’s 10.6s. be ready. I just stay to the Buffs Sanders may be It explains why wound up on the 17-14 overtime last season, and the team Beatty hails sideline and keep the Mountaineers’ Rodgers Mark hopes my legs warm as a natural north-sou defeat to Col- to take that record to 11-3 leading rusher runner when it Rodgers th when I go out there,” Rodgers with raw potential. orado in Boul- faces Colorado at home said.

“It’s not like I am and on Thursleading just sitting there Rodgers has both day night. der was the talent and abil- on the sideline. receiver, respec- ity, and They certainly tively, so far this he’s shown it in night WVU don’t want a “I think I’m doing season. es as WVU’s kickoff brief flashpretty good. I came of age as repeat performance of But if Beatty were return man want to take one last to the house, but kick returner and a betting man, this season. The 5-foot-8, a football team. disappointing overtime year’s Bill backup tailback California 175-pound it will come whenever loss.

Mark Rodgers would In fact, watching it comes.”

“It was like native is averaging Stewart clips of that In the meantime get 26.6 , Rodgers has “You look at 100M his vote. yards per return for WVU, in 2003 after the game still puts Stewart in a foul and has become a special teams might be the fastest speed, he also made himself [22-20] Miami temper. useful taking He’s on the Mountain staple. loss we were 1-4, room,” Beatty said. guy in our down opposing ball “I watched that eers’ kickI knew that day thing at 7:30 carriers on the off, kick return, “I mean, Noel we were a football this morning with kickoff team. punt and punt team coming the offensive together,” Stewart SEE RODGERS, said. “That’s

Game 4

WVU came of age in ’08 loss to Buffs

VIRGINIA men’s basketball team indeed finishes among the top four in the Big East this upcoming season, the Mountaineers are going to have a long wait to play its first tournament game. conference “We’re keeping the same bracket as before,” Big East Associate Commissi oner John Paquette said Monday.

What that means taineers finish with is if the Mounference’s top four one of the conrecords this season, they will have to wait until the third day of the five-day tournament to play their first game.

The tournament is scheduled March 9-13, at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The Big East, after much support from the conferenc e’s coaches, adopted the 16-team format this past season and the 12-team format rid itself of in bottom four schools which the nated from tournamewere elimi5-B nt SEE WVU, 5-B The coaches wanted play. teams to be represent all the ed, as well as giving all the conference schools the chance to experience what it was like to play in MSG. It sounded like a good idea, until we actually got to the 2009 tournament.

Louisville, Pitt, Connecticut and Villanova were seeds for the 2009 the top four tournament, and as such, were given the first

BY TODD MURRAY two days off as a reward.

The Dominion Post It turned out to be ome things in Ahna ter for the top teams. a near disasLewis’s life never Third-seeded Connectic seem to ut lost change. in six overtimes to Syracuse, She shared a room which may have been a loss for older sister, Amanda, with her the Huskies, but in the famithat game was a ly’s Morgantown huge win for the home 10 Big East as a ago when she launched years whole. her running career with WVU ROUNDUP No. 4 Villanova the needed a lastginia Flyers, a youth West Virsecond shot from track club Dwayne founded by WVU Submitted to The Anderson to beat Dominion Post cross Marquette and country/track coach the Mountaineers WVU men’s soccer Sean Cleary. upset secondforward Abel And 10 years later? seeded Pitt, 74-60.

“Shadow” Sebele has been named Well, Lewis still Big East rookie In theory, the two-day shares a of the week, conroom with her sister. bye sounds OK, because ference officials of the rest ues to run for Cleary, She continfactor. In reality, too, only said Monday. coaches would the stakes are much rather have their higher: guys play to Sebele, of BulLewis runs for keep them sharp.

Cleary’s Mounawayo, Zimbabwe In this confertaineers. , ence, waiting for recorded his first the The sophomore round to play your quarterfinal wants to collegiate goal — first game also secure a spot on the a means you’ll probably game-win ner ber team that tries seven-mem— against a top 25-rankedopen up to bring against then-No. home WVU’s first-ever team.

“That was one of cross 3/5-ranked USF, our keys, be country national on here on Friday championship night with the Abel “Shadow” Sept. 25. After trophy, in Novembe new format, only r. receiving a pass playing one Sebele Lewis ran on that game,” UConn coach Jim Calfrom sophomo redshirt freshman team as a re houn said after a year ago, Alex Silva in the the placing 163rd (21:42) 18-yard box, Sebele cuse. “I don’t like loss to Syraas the tapped the ball it. I’ve said it all Mountaineers finished around goalkeeper along. Open up a proJeff Attinella at the against the top gram-best fourth 20 91:12 mark for the teams, not exactly at the NCAA 1-0 overtime victory. the way you finals, in Terre want to get into Two days later, Haute, Ind. a tournament.” he earned two “I remember in points against The talk of change middle school DePaul, wasn’t to when I’d be training both of WVU’s scores setting up bring back the I’d see the 12-team format. in a 2-1 overWVU girls and time victory. His Instead there was think, ‘Wow, first assist came talk of changthat’s so cool. I in the 83rd minute, ing the days when wish I could be when he served the top teams one of them a corner sometime in my would play. kick into the six-yard life,’ ” said Lewis, who box that was headed in by The thought was was homefreshman Travis to bracket the schooled until her Pittman.

Big East tourname freshman year nt like an in high school, His second assist NCAA tourname when set up the gament and have the enrolled at Morganto she winning goal in top four seeds play wn High. overtime. Sebele the bottom four “I actually got to finished the match seeds on the first be one and with three shots day and then run on the team and played all 94 have Wednesda and get that minutes. y off before playfourth-place finish.

Sebele is tied for ing in Thursday It was like a the team lead ’s quarterfinals. dream come true. with five points In the end, there It was really and leads all Mounjust wasn’t awesome.” taineers in shots enough of a go from (17) and shots onLewis’s success goal (5). ple in the conferenc enough peowas just as e to make a satisfying to Cleary, The Mountain change. eers (4-2-2, 3-1-0 nized her potential who recogBig East) return “We talked in May a to action Saturand often believed decade ago at our conday, at Marquette ference meetings in her more (2-4-2, 1-1-2). Kickand than she believed off at Valley Fields input from everyone, we asked for in herself. is 8:05 p.m. ” Pauquette “Ahna passed said. “We felt there every single just wasn’t test last year with enough sentiment flying colors,” Women’s basketba in changing the Cleary said. “She ll format after just led season tickets one year.” through many meets, our team on sale There is always was conSeason tickets hope, though. sistent and ran for the 2009-’10 phenomenally.

“That’s not to say WVU women’s basketball Her one hurdle be a change in the there won’t now campaign went on sale Monday. future,” Paquethe NCAA championis going into tte said. “I think WVU’s Ahna Lewis Season tickets this will be mastering the race. ships and for the 16-game something that “passed every single home schedule, will continue to 250 of the best youngThere are test last year with WVU file photo which includes be discussed.” runners in flying the colors,” potential the world in the coach Lewis concedes of more games in Sean Cleary said. race. Her trainshe There is still a TV the Preseason WNIT, cost awestruck at nationalswas ing will go well, the greatest distance issue with the $90 each for lower first day of the tourname and runner in level reserved seating up with Texas Tech’s , lining tough-minded kid she’s a NCAA history. were and what nt. This past season, the D-I nationals is who belongs first Kipyego, a three-tim Sally seum. WVU faculty in the Colithere at the highest about,” Lewis said.

“I kind of got a (Seeds No. 9 through round games little overe national level.” and staff can “This year, I champion whom whelmed in the purchase have No. 16) more were up of to six tickets at a veteran’s edge. competitiveness Cleary hails as not on TV and could a disof it and how many only be seen counted rate of on the Internet with $72. people there ESPN360.

Info: 1-800-WVU SEE LEWIS, “We don’t have -GAME or online 3-B an at WVUGAME.com. that, yet,” Pauquette answer to right now, it’s more said. “As of for you to say that what we can say.”

Associated Press ESPN holds the rights for the suddenly stops tournament.

PITTSBURGH — after a Super Bowl The Steelers said.

Steelers are beginning Pittsburgh victory and a new “I think we’re going This team is too season arrives to be OK,” to hear the very Pauquette said. focused, too discipline More worrisom three words they quickly. That season, e to them is the d and deter- way were certain numer- mined and beat them in ous distractions wouldn’t be associated they’re losing, with to let it happen JUSTIN JACKSON the closing seconds. and their No. 1again, they ranked their quar- said. is Those were the Super Bowl hangover with them: terback’s health The Dominion Post a sports reporter for Yet the Steelers defense from the kind of comeproblems led to . Write are 1-2, with . a half as many jjackson@dominionpost. to him at sons unable to create last two sea- backs the Steelers pulled 2-6 start and they The Steelers experienc losses as com. wound up missing off themturnovers or selves last ed in 2006 the season, when they 19 games last season, they had in get off the field at what can happen playoffs. critical points in to win late rallied when the partying and they’re games. in a game six times already facing a Wouldn’t happen For the second time two-game deficit — this time, these in eight including the Super in days on Sunday, the AFC North.

Bowl. Now, they let a team they’ve lost 23-20 to the Bengals in drive nearly the length of the field

Lewis seeks NCA

On WVU’s cross country squad

A spot

S

Talk of a hangov

Big East honors Sebele

As rookie of week

er haunting Steele

rs after 1-2 start SEE STEELERS,

3-B

1-B

A CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM The highest finish in school history, two All-Americans and the team’s first BIG EAST Championship propelled the West Virginia cross country program into the nation’s elite during the 2007 season. What made the year even more special was the realization that WVU’s success was accomplished with a group of underclassmen and a first-year head coach in Sean Cleary.

The Mountaineers were led by All-America sophomores Marie-Louise Asselin and Keri Bland, who became the first pair of teammates in WVU history to earn All-America status in the same season. West Virginia’s banner year attributed to the development of Cleary’s one-two-three punch of Asselin, Bland and fellow sophomore Clara Grandt, a group who earned all-region and all-BIG EAST honors.

The Mountaineers competed in their first meet at full strength on Sept. 28 at the Paul Short Invitational. The squad finished second in a race that featured four nationally ranked teams. Asselin took third, Bland took seventh and Grandt was 15th as WVU moved into the top 25 of the polls for the first time since 2004.

Asselin showed a glimpse of what kind of season she was going to have when she claimed the individual title at the Penn State National Open. Bland and Grandt were close behind at fourth and seventh, respectively, as WVU convincingly won the meet with 86 points.

The confidence gained from the Penn State race proved to be valuable as the Mountaineers entered the conference championship as one of the teams with a legitimate shot at the league title.

West Virginia took advantage and became the fourth program in WVU history to win a BIG EAST Championship title. Asselin finished second overall, while Bland was fourth and Grandt eighth. The effort from WVU’s main three was key, but big performances turned in by Maria Dalzot (30th) and Kate Harrison (33rd) may have been the difference as defending champ Providence finished just 10 points behind West Virginia in second. Asselin, Bland and Grandt received all-BIG EAST honors, marking the most ever in one season for the Mountaineers.

“Winning a BIG EAST Championship was just as memorable as a top-10 finish at the NCAA Championships,” Cleary said. “Winning the league title proved to these young women that they were as good as the nation’s elite.”

If the season had ended that day after winning a conference title, it would have been a spectacular year. But the Mountaineers still had a lot more they wanted to achieve and looked ahead to the tough challenge awaiting at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. Not only did WVU have to worry about revenge-seeking foes from the BIG EAST, Georgetown and Villanova, it had to compete against Penn State and perennial power Princeton as well.

West Virginia pulled together down the stretch and edged the Hoyas by two points to finish in second place and earn the final automatic qualifying spot to nationals.

Asselin finished third, Grandt sixth and Bland seventh, while two different women stepped up in the No. 4 and 5 slots as Christopher came in 30th and Dalzot placed 31st.

It marked just the fourth time in school history that WVU would qualify for the NCAA Championships.

Cleary, the 2007 Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year, and his young squad entered nationals ranked 13th. Asselin was WVU’s top finisher at 14th, followed by Bland (23rd), Grandt (52nd), Dalzot (121st) and Mandy McBean (165th). In the end, West Virginia finished ninth, the highest finish in Mountaineer history. Asselin and Bland were named All-Americans, marking the first time WVU had two athletes earn that honor in the same year.

Perhaps no one believed Cleary in August when he said he thought that the 2007 team could be the most talented group he had ever been associated with. Four months later, the team re-wrote the record books in putting together the most memorable season in West Virginia cross country history.

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ALL-AMERICANS

Charity Wachera 1998

West Virginia has produced 11 All-America selections from six individuals, including one All-American performer in each of the past four seasons. Each year Sean Cleary’s roster is filled with talent, looking for the next All-American for WVU.

Megan Metcalfe

Marie-Louise Asselin

2002, 2004

2007, 2008, 2009

Keri Bland

Clara Grandt

2007, 2008, 2009

2009

Kaitlyn Gillespie 2010

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BIG EAST The 2011-12 academic year will be the 33rd in the history of The BIG EAST Conference as the unique consortium marches on competing at the highest level with integrity and sportsmanship.

BIG EAST institutions reside in nine of the nation’s top 35 largest media markets, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Tampa, Pittsburgh, Hartford, Cincinnati and Milwaukee.

With its newest members, BIG EAST markets contain almost one-fourth of all television households in the U.S. In November of 2010, TCU accepted an invitation for full membership into conference. The Horned Frogs will become the 17th conference member on July 1, 2012. Its athletic teams will begin competing in the BIG EAST in the 2012-13 academic year.

The BIG EAST’s goals have always been the same.

The outstanding performances of the studentathletes at BIG EAST schools are evidence of the league’s proud tradition of success. The league has always been able to boast that many of its best students are also its best athletes.

The conference has its headquarters in Providence, R.I., where the BIG EAST administers to more than 5,500 student-athletes.

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ATHLETIC TRAINING The West Virginia athletic training program looks to get its student-athletes back on the field in a timely manner while providing quality health care for its student-athletes and coaches.

The scope of the athletic training services encompass various domains which include injury recognition, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, education and counseling that will enable the athlete to maintain an optimal quality of life beyond the span of athletic competition.

Multiple athletic training rooms are available for student-athletes furnished with the latest in technology and equipment. The athletic training staff will work in conjunction with the team physicians and athletic administration to assure the student-athletes receive quality care throughout their career at WVU.

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STRENGTH & CONDITIONING Athletic excellence and strength and conditioning go hand-in-hand at West Virginia University. WVU’s strength and conditioning staff ensures all studentathletes are on year-long programs designed to continue improving the fitness capabilities needed in their sports.

“Our strength and conditioning staff is tremendous,” says head coach Sean Cleary. “With cross country, special attention needs to be paid to certain strengths and weaknesses that a distance runner needs, and I have full faith and confidence in the staff.”

To keep athletes in peak physical condition, West Virginia offers a variety of training areas and an array of strength programs designed to increase performance.

All student-athletes will also have their own program individually calculated and updated throughout the year.

“It is inaccurate to think that all distance runners do is run,” adds Cleary, whose 2008 team finished a program-best fourth in the country at nationals. “Our kids spend a great deal of time on specific dynamics like speed drills and strength and conditioning exercises.

When our team gets on the course, not only do I want them the fittest in the race, but also the strongest.”

Equipped with excellent amenities and staffed by some of the finest strength coaches in the nation, athletes who come to West Virginia know that they are in good hands when it comes to their athletic capacity.

Mission Statement: To provide athletes with the knowledge, character, extrinsic motivation, discipline and training to reach their potential both personally and athletically.

Student-athletes are offered the opportunity to train in some of the nation’s best facilities and with one of the nation’s best staffs.

Physical development and dominance have been and continue to be traits that are equated with WVU. The athlete’s self-confidence and unwavering dedication have driven him/her into the nation’s spotlight. This is made possible through the give-andtake relationships between the athletes and staff.

The WVU strength and conditioning staff is committed to enabling athletes to achieve their dreams.

MOUNTAINEERS IN THE COMMUNITY Winning and working hard are important to the West Virginia University cross country team. But becoming successful and positive role models on and off the course is just as significant. Each year, the Mountaineers work to give back to Morgantown and surrounding communities every chance they find.

Most recently, the WVU cross country team donated its time to helping the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Aimed toward helping kids with muscular dystrophy and related diseases, the 21-and-a-half hour telethon was first aired in 1966 and has allocated over $42 million to research projects and has funded more than 300 projects worldwide. The Mountaineers do their part to help the cause by answering telephones.

“It is very important to our program that the student-athletes understand that it is not a right, but more so a privilege, to represent West Virginia University,” Cleary says. “We feel very strongly that we must give back and say “thank you” for the opportunities we are given.

Because we have been given opportunities, our hope is that we will want to provide service back because by doing so our lives will be richer.”

The Mountaineers are frequent visitors to the WVU Children’s Hospital and help several different local community service projects.

The team also regularly donates its time and knowledge by hosting and teaching local youth track clubs to learn the fundamentals of the sport. Along with strengthening the youngsters’ skills, they also teach the participants the importance of good sportsmanship, courage, determination and hard work.

Coach Cleary’s student-athletes can also be found reading to children at elementary schools in the “Read Aloud” program. During their visits, the student-athletes read to students in several classrooms and encourage the school’s older students to apply themselves to their studies.

“Being able to put life’s stressful moments into perspective is vital for every one of us,” Cleary says. “Community service is a wonderful avenue by which to have our student-athletes take a step back and realize that those that we are lending our time to in many ways can teach us life’s delicate lessons.”

Mountaineer coaches and players also take part in Relay for Life of Monongalia County, the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at WVU’s outdoor track and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.

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STUDENT-ATHLETE SUPPORT West Virginia University offers a variety of services and programs to help student-athletes maximize their academic potential.

Department staff members work with coaches, on campus student service providers and faculty to help student-athletes meet the unique demands of the classroom, the sporting arena and the personal-social challenges they face as developing adults.

While many of the headlines center on the Mountaineers’ accomplishments on the playing field, West Virginia athletes have also made some noteworthy strides in the classroom. Some of those strides include a string of eight consecutive years where the department has had at least one first team Academic All-American.

To help its student athletes achieve academic success, one of the nation’s finest facilities resides in the WVU Coliseum – The Athletic Academic Performance Center.

Coliseum Academic Performance Center – WVU Coliseum • 8,000-square foot facility providing individual and group study areas • State-of-the-art computer labs • Provides a quiet atmosphere and is open six days a week • The latest in fingerprint technology used when signing in • Center can be utilized around the student-athlete’s schedule • Center cost $1.3 million and opened in October of 2007 • Facility gift was provided by former Mountaineer great Jerry West and his wife, Karen, and the Robbins family.

WVU’s Academic Support Services Provides • Team educational counselors • Tutoring services • Priority registration for student-athletes • Post-eligibility assistance Tutoring Service Facts • Over 75 tutors provide student-athletes with assistance in their classes • Upperclassmen, graduate students and community members serve as tutors in their area of specialty • Tutoring services are provided for all student-athletes regardless of scholarship status NCAA Certification West Virginia University received unconditional recertification in April 2010 from the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification, recognizing that the University’s athletic program is in “substantial conformity with operating principles” adopted

by Division I schools. The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institution’s athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletics departments, the NCAA said.

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STUDENT-ATHLETE SUPPORT Graduation Rates West Virginia University’s graduation rate for student-athletes has been impressive, to say the least, over the past seven years. The ratio of student-athletes graduating to the general student body has increased almost every year.

The graduation rate for student-athletes is based upon the number of students who entered the University receiving athletic scholarship aid in a given academic year, and their progress over six years. The most recent figures are based upon the progress of student-athletes who entered WVU during 2002-03.

APR The West Virginia University women’s soccer team, men’s basketball team and women’s cross country team received public recognition in the spring of 2010 by the NCAA for their latest multiyear Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores. These teams posted multiyear APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport. Each year, the NCAA honors selected Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear APR. The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team’s academic performance.

Student Athlete Advisory Committee The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) provides a forum for the “voice of the student-athlete” on WVU’s campus.

SAAC membership provides feedback to administration about how to better WVU athletic programs. They offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

CHAMPS/Life Skills The many challenges that today’s college student-athletes face, both on and off the playing field, are unmatched in the history of higher education. Unfortunately, many students are not well prepared to face these challenges or encounter life issues that undermine health and success in college. To prepare student-athletes for the demands of college life and beyond, the NCAA developed the CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success)/Life Skills program.

In the spring of 1995, the West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics initiated its own CHAMPS/Life Skills program. WVU was one of only 170 schools selected by the NCAA to participate in their national pilot program.

Five programming “commitment” areas viewed as critical to personal growth are part of WVU’s model. They are: 1) academic excellence, 2) personal development, 3) career development, 4) athletic excellence and 5) community service.

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CAMPUS LIFE Virginia University is a leading 21st century land-grant institution that is improving people’s lives through teaching, ð West discovery and outreach.

WVU colleges and schools offer 193 degree programs from the bachelor’s through the doctoral and first-professional ð 13levels.

ð WVU students receive $317 million annually in grants, loans, work study, fee waivers and scholarships. campus offers one of the nation’s safest college environments — Reader’s Digest ranked it 18th among 135 U.S. ð WVU’s colleges and universities and gave WVU an ‘A’ for its strong commitment to safety.

American institute for Economic Research named Morgantown one of America’s “Best College Towns.” Kiplinger’s ð The Personal Finance magazine listed the city 29th among “50 Smart Places to Live.” and job opportunities were among the factors Men’s Journal magazine cited in naming Morgantown the ð Recreational nation’s third-best small city. Sporting News named Morgantown one of its “Best Sports Cities.” Careerbuilder.com ranked the city as one of the “25 Best Cities to Find a Job.” main Morgantown location includes three distinct campuses—Downtown, Evansdale and the Health Sciences ð WVU’s campus .The Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system — named top people-mover in the nation - has shuttled people among the campuses since the U.S. Department of Transportation built it 30 years ago.

Student Recreation Center offers a six-lane lap pool and a leisure pool; a 20-person whirlpool; seven courts for ð The basketball, volleyball, and badminton; fitness machines and free weights covering 17,000 square feet; and a 50-foot climbing wall.

ð WVU has produced 25 Rhodes Scholars, more than any other school in the BIG EAST Conference.

FBI chose WVU as its national leader for biometrics research. WVU is the academic arm of the FBI’s Biometric Center of ð The Excellence.

WVU School of Medicine’s Rural Medicine Program is ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s top ð The 10 graduate programs in the field. More than two dozen WVU graduate programs are ranked by the publication as among the nation’s best.

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WEST VIRGINIA CROSS COUNTRY

CAMPUS LIFE WVU: A Brief Profile WVU is one of only 11 schools in the country that are land-grant, doctoral research universities with a comprehensive medical school.

Students: WVU’s main campus fall 2010 enrollment was 29,306.

Alumni: The new Erickson Alumni Center is a gathering place for WVU’s more than 175,000 alumni worldwide.

Degree Programs: WVU offers 193 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programs.

Division Campuses: Potomac State College of WVU; WVU Institute of Technology Health Sciences Center Divisions: Charleston Division, Health Sciences Center, Charleston, W.Va.; Eastern Division, Health Sciences Center, Martinsburg, W.Va. Major Academic Divisions: Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Creative Arts, School of Dentistry, College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, Honors College, College of Human Resources and Education, Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism, College of Law, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Potomac State College of WVU, WVU Institute of Technology Visitors Resource Center: Located on the Morgantown Waterfront, the Visitors Resource Center features unique, cutting-edge displays and traditional West Virginia hospitality. Operating hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. (closed Sundays and most University holidays). Guided tours with friendly knowledgeable student guides M-F at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sat. at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., except home football Saturdays. Phone: 304-293-3489. Visit: http://visit.wvu.edu Admission Information: Information is available from the Office of Admissions and Records, PO Box 6090, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6090; or call 304-293-2121 or visit WVU on the web: http://www.wvu.edu; E-mail: go2wvu@mail. wvu.edu Mountaineer Parents Club Helpline: Receive information or share comments by calling 1-800-WVU-0096. Someone will respond within one business day if possible.

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WEST VIRGINIA CROSS COUNTRY

WVU ATHLETICS 2010-11

BY THE NUMBERS Team Record Baseball: 28-27 Cross Country: 5th place at BIG EAST Championships & 5th place at NCAA Regionals Men’s Basketball: 21-12, 11-7 BIG EAST (NCAA 3rd Round) Women’s Basketball: 24-10, 8-8 BIG EAST (NCAA 2nd Round) Football: 9-3, 5-2 BIG EAST (Share of regular-season conference title) (Champs Sports Bowl Game) Gymnastics: 13-10, 10-4 EAGL (6th place at NCAA Regionals) Rowing: 7th BIG EAST Men’s Soccer: 11-8-2, 5-4-0 BIG EAST (NCAA 2nd Round) Women’s Soccer: 18-5-1, 9-1-1 BIG EAST (BIG EAST Champions) (NCAA Sweet 16) Men’s Swimming and Diving: 4-2, 4th BIG EAST (3 NCAA qualifiers) Women’s Swimming and Diving: 2-7, 3rd BIG EAST (1 NCAA qualifier) Women’s Tennis: 8-14 Rifle: 11-2, 5-1 GARC (2nd NCAA); GARC Postseason Champions (NCAA Air Rifle Champions) Ranked No. 1 all season; Nicco Campriani was the NCAA Air Rifle Champion Women’s Track: Indoor: 5th BIG EAST, 18th NCAA; Outdoor: 2nd BIG EAST, 20th NCAA Volleyball: 15-15, 5-9 BIG EAST Wrestling: 9-6, 4-2 EWL, 5 NCAA qualifiers NCAA Individual Champions Nicco Campriani, NCAA Air Rifle First Team All-Americans Keri Bland, Indoor Track, NCAA Nicco Campriani, Rifle, National Rifle Association (NRA) (smallbore and air rifle) Chelsea Carrier, Indoor Track, NCAA Chelsea Carrier, Outdoor Track, NCAA John Flowers, 2011 Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America Team Kaitlyn Gillespie, Cross Country, UATFCCCA Kate Harrison, Outdoor Track, NCAA Robert Sands, Football, Sporting News Rachel Viglianco, Rowing, National Strength and Conditioning Association Petra Zublasing, Rifle, National Rifle Association (NRA) (air rifle)

Team Champions Women’s Soccer, BIG EAST Rifle, GARC BIG EAST Champions Rachael Burnett, Women’s Swimming (500 Free, 400 IM) Taylor Camp, Men’s Swimming (100 Fly) Chelsea Carrier, Women’s Indoor Track (pentathlon, 60m hurdles), .

Women’s Outdoor Track (long jump, 100m, 400m hurdles) Kate Harrison, Women’s Outdoor Track (10,000-meter run) Mandie Nugent, Women’s Swimming (200 Fly) Jessica O’Connell, Women’s Indoor Track (3,000m) April Rotilio, Women’s Outdoor Track (400-meter dash) EAGL Champions Amy Bieski, Gymnastics (uneven bars) GARC Champions Nicco Campriani, Rifle (air rifle, smallbore, & combined score) BIG EAST Individual Awards Racheal Burnett, Women’s Swimming, 2011 co-BIG EAST Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer Kerri Butler, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Defensive Player Kerri Butler, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament team Chelsea Carrier, Women’s Track, 2011 BIG EAST Indoor Most Outstanding Field Athlete Chelsea Carrier, Women’s Track, 2011 BIG EAST Outdoor Most Outstanding Track.

Performer of the Meet Meghan Lewis, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding.

Offensive Player Meghan Lewis, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament team Bry McCarthy, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team Blake Miller, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team Megan Mischler, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team Mandie Nugent, Women’s Swimming, 2011 co-BIG EAST Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer Liz Repella, Women’s Basketball, 2010-11 BIG EAST ScholarAthlete Sport Excellence Award Frances Silva, Women’s Soccer, BIG EAST all-Rookie Team Rachel Viglianco, Rowing, 2010-11 BIG EAST ScholarAthlete Sport Excellence Award BIG EAST Women’s Staff of the Year, Women’s Outdoor Track

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WVU ATHLETICS 2010-11

BY THE NUMBERS Major Awards Amy Bieski, Gymnastics, EAGL Gymnast of the Year Amy Bieski, Gymnastics, EAGL Outstanding Senior of the Year Nicco Campriani, Rifle, GARC Shooter of the Year Nicco Campriani, Rifle, GARC Senior of the Year Nicco Campriani, Rifle, GARC Scholar-Athlete Liz Repella, Women’s Basketball, Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Finalist Red Brown Cup Award Nicco Campriani, Rifle Liz Repella, Women’s Basketball Fred Schaus Captain’s Award Keri Bland, Track and Field Chris Neild, Football

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[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 23

Sean Cleary

[ head coach • fifth season/20th overall • west virginia, ‘92 ]

CLEARY FILE COACHING EXPERIENCE WEST VIRGINIA, 1993-PRESENT • Fifth season as head coach • No. 5 on the 2010 Terry Crawford Program of the Year Award list in 2010 • 2009 NCAA Cross Country Championship sixth-place finish • 2008 NCAA Cross Country Championship fourth-place finish • Six All-American cross country runners • Two CoSIDA Academic All-Americans in cross country • 1,000 NCAA APR score four consecutive years • Coached two cross country runners to three career All-America honors – Marie-Louise Asselin and Keri Bland • Saw highest ever school ranking at No. 3 - Oct. 6, 2009 • Coached 2008 BIG EAST Individual Champion – Marie-Louise Asselin • Three Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year honors (2004, 2007, 2008) • NCAA Mid-Atlantic team champions (2004, 2008) • 2007 BIG EAST Champions • 2007 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year • Coached 23 NCAA all-Mid-Atlantic Region runners • 13 all-BIG EAST runners RUNNING EXPERIENCE WEST VIRGINIA, 1991-92 • Captain of 1991 Atlantic 10 title team • Earned all-conference honors in 1992 EDUCATION WEST VIRGINIA, 1992 • Bachelor’s degree (physical education)

Sean Cleary, one of the sport’s most talented coaches, is in his fifth season at the helm of the West Virginia University cross country and track and field teams after being associated with the program for 20 years. With his expertise in mentoring, training, conditioning and recruiting distance runners, the Georgetown, Ontario, native has quickly built West Virginia’s cross country program into a national powerhouse with five AllAmericans and numerous all-conference runners.

Last season, Cleary sent sophomores Kaitlyn Gillespie and Sarah-Anne Brault to the NCAA Championships, where Gillespie became Cleary’s fifth All-American with a 34th-place finish in 20:46 and Brault arrived in 71st place overall. In indoor track, three athletes were named All-Americans and all seven athletes who qualified for the outdoor NCAA Championships achieved All-America status. For the achievements, Cleary was named the NCAA’s Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for track and field.

The 2009-10 season was equally successful as the team achieved sixth place at the NCAA Championships, its third straight Top 10 finish, and Clara Grandt, Keri Bland and Marie-Louise Asselin received All-America status. Asselin and Bland achieved the honor for the third time in their WVU careers, while Grandt earned her first.

Ranked in the top 10 all year, the team received its highest-ever ranking as a program at No. 3 midway through the season. Between indoor and outdoor track that year, 11 All-America honors were distributed and Bland, Grandt and Asselin became the first Mountaineers to achieve the status in three sports in the same year. Overall, 17 All-American nominations were given to WVU athletes between cross country, indoor and outdoor track during the year.

At the completion of the 2009-10 cross country and track seasons, WVU was recognized as the fifth-best team on the Terry Crawford Program of the Year Award list announced by the United States Track and Field and Cross County Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The award is given annually to the most outstanding NCAA Division I women’s cross country and track and

field programs and honors the institution that has achieved the most success in each academic year based on the institution’s finish at the NCAA Division I Championships over three seasons.

In 2008, the team had its best-ever finish at the NCAA Championships, arriving in fourth after being ranked No. 5 most of the year. WVU won its second-ever NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region championship and Cleary was named Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year. Asselin became the first in school history to win an individual BIG EAST title and the team finished in second.

In Cleary’s first season as head coach in 2007, the team became BIG EAST champions for the first time in school history and a then-school record three runners were named all-BIG EAST as the team entered the top 25 for the first time in three years.

For the fourth year in a row, the Mountaineers were named an All-Academic Team by the USTFCCCA. The group was ranked 17th in the nation in terms of overall grade point average (GPA) and had the second-highest GPA in the BIG EAST Conference with a 3.61 average.

Cleary previously had been the distance coach in 2005 and 2006 and was a full-time assistant from 2001-04, serving as the primary coach and trainer for the cross country team during that span. Prior to the 2001 season, Cleary served as a graduate assistant coach for eight seasons at WVU.

From 1998 to 2004, WVU’s distance medley relay team qualified for nationals seven consecutive years, the second-longest streak in the nation, under Cleary’s watch.

Cleary has coached 17 athletes who have competed at the World Track and Field, World Cross Country, World University Games and Pan American Championships.

Cleary worked closely with former head coach Martin Pushkin in building the women’s cross country team into a national contender. Cleary was responsible for the recruitment and mentoring of NCAA mile champion Kate Vermeulen as well as All-Americans Rebecca Stallwood, Merissa Sexsmith and Megan Metcalfe.

Sean Cleary has produced 10 All-America selections since 2002.

24 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]

Sean Cleary

[ head coach • fifth season/20th overall • west virginia, ‘92 ]

Under his guidance, Cleary’s coaching has produced several All-America runners, including four-time All-American Bob Donker, NCAA cross country All-Americans Wynston Alberts, Mike Dudley and Steve Bohan, two-time NCAA qualifiers Jeff Metcaff and Bohan, NCAA qualifier Ian Collings and 5,000-meter All-American Mark Vilardo.

Cleary, who holds a USATF Level I Certification, is the primary recruiter for the cross country squad, attracting the best in-state, out-of-state and international athletes. He also is responsible for scheduling all meets and serves as the director for home meets.

He was a member of the Mountaineer team in 1991 and 1992, helping the 1991 squad capture the Atlantic 10 cross country title and earning all-conference honors his last season.

Cleary attended Central Oregon Community College, where he helped lead the team to the National Junior College Athletic Association title. He received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from WVU in 1992.

coaches runners preview review record wvu media

Recent Individual Major Accomplishments Under Cleary Marie-Louis Asselin

Keri Bland

Clara Grandt

- three-time cross country All-American

- 2011 third team Academic All-American

- 2009 cross country All-American

- three-time all-BIG EAST team

- three-time cross country All-American

- two-time all-BIG EAST team

- three-time all-Mid-Atlantic team

- three-time all-BIG EAST team

- two-time all-Mid-Atlantic team

- 2009 USTFCCCA all-Academic team

- three-time all-Mid-Atlantic team

- 2009 USTFCCCA all-Academic team

- 2008 BIG EAST individual cross country - 2009 USTFCCCA all-Academic team

- BIG EAST Cross Country Runner of the

champion

- 2008 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA

Week (9/24/09)

- 2008 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA

Academic All-District second team

- 2008 Team USA Cross Country team

Academic All-District first team

member

- 2007 ESPN The Magazine/ CoSIDA

- NCAC Champion

Academic All-American national third team

[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 25

One-on-One

[ a sit down with coach cleary ] What are the expectations after the success of 2010?

I’d like to see us back to the 2007-09 form when we placed in the Top 10 at nationals. These girls have improved a lot over the past year. My first expectation is for us to be back as a team at the NCAA Championships, not just a few individuals.

If all goes well and we execute properly, we can end up in the Top 10 at nationals.

Having a balance of experienced and young runners, how did the team approach the offseason?

The girls understand that it is a very long year to get through cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. The emphasis is to put ourselves in the best position at the end of the summer and into the fall to be prepared for the best cross country and track seasons possible.

I am very happy with the quality and focus that we achieved this summer. Traditions are made over generations; the team understood what it needed to do this summer and handled itself like veterans.

Who will lead this year’s team?

Time will tell who the leaders are this year. We have team leaders on the course and leaders that help the team prepare mentally. Stephanie Caruso is the glue that keeps everyone together, and Stephanie Aldea brings tremendous ideas and energy to the team. We may not have set rally leaders on the course, but several that are going to take this program back to where it was two years ago.

Who will be tough in conference?

The BIG EAST teams, including a muchimproved Connecticut team, will provide a huge challenge for us to earn a conference championship. We’re looking at roughly seven schools from our league finishing in the Top 25 at the end of the year. We’ll be going up against the national champions of the past two years, Villanova, and a Georgetown team that just may win the national title. Providence and Syracuse pretty much have the same teams, too, from a season ago. We may have five schools in the Top 10 this year. Just like basketball, it’s the toughest league in the country.

What is your philosophy on redshirting?

My philosophy in coaching is to protect the kids. By that I mean looking at the overall clock knowing that I have five years to use the girls when they can most contribute to the team and when is the best time for them to redshirt. All the girls we bring in have the potential to be national-class runners, but the timing has to be right. I want to protect them and redshirt them and get them into a situation where as fifth-year seniors we have them at the pinnacle of their athletic careers.

How do you determine who will race each meet and how do injuries come into play?

It just depends on who shows up to compete for spots in the preceding weeks before a meet. Sometimes the kids can get a bit stale from being held out. Other times they are so fresh and ready to race that they run the best race of the whole year. I would say that we haven’t faltered in terms of sickness or injury with any of the girls. They are probably anticipating and wanting to race more than anyone.

26 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]

Stephanie Aldea

One-on-One

[ a sit down with coach cleary ] What is your favorite part of coaching?

Watching a young athlete mature. I am involved in coaching to help invoke behavior change off the field that will help performances on the field. It is a great moment for me when I watch the athletes that I work with fully understand the things about themselves that are needed to be improved upon in order to become better friends, roommates, daughters and teammates. It gives me great satisfaction to see the end result of such changes transpire into fantastic races. It is very difficult to change certain qualities about ourselves, but when we do, life becomes more meaningful and invites new goals and aspirations.

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What is the team’s overall goal this season?

Win a BIG EAST championship and qualify as a team for the NCAA Championships. Overall, we’d like to be at nationals running the best races of our lives on the day that matters most.

What does the roster indicate about the running talent level of the state of West Virginia?

Our roster continues to be filled with West Virginia natives. As long as I am the head coach of the Mountaineers, this will remain the case.

Talent is hidden in every small town in America; it is simply a matter of finding it and nurturing it. We are very proud of our West Virginia tradition.

Aubrey Moskal and Stephanie Caruso

Jessica O’Connell and Kate Harrison

[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 27

Support Staff

[ the team behind the team] Bryan Fitzpatrick

Jasonn Miller

Patrick Deachilla

Coordinator of Speed Development

Athletic Trainer

Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer

Paul Downey

Bubba Schmidt

Steve Bierer

Director, Student-Athlete Academic Services

Equipment Manager

Assistant Equipment Manager

Cindy Smith

Dr. Matt Lively

Daniel Whitehead

Administrative Assistant

Medical Doctor

Sports Communications

28 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]

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[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 29

2011 Rosters

[ alphabetical • state/country • class •position ] Alphabetical Roster Name Stephanie Aldea Sarah-Anne Brault Rachel Buser Stephanie Caruso Kaylyn Christopher Josie Crouch Kaitlyn Gillespie Jordan Hamric Kate Harrison Chelsea Jarvis Alison Kimble

Cl. r-Jr. r-Jr. r-So. r-Sr. r-Sr. r-Fr. Jr. r-So. r-Sr. r-So. r-Fr.

Ht. 5-8 5-6 5-5 5-1 5-6 5-9 5-2 5-4 5-6 5-2 5-0

Hometown Windsor, Ontario Winnipeg, Manitoba Berkeley Springs, W.Va. Wheeling, W.Va. Kingwood, W.Va. Hurricane, W.Va. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Bruceton Mills, W.Va. Toronto, Ontario Clendenin, W.Va. Morgantown, W.Va.

Ahna Lewis r-Sr. 5-6 Morgantown, W.Va. Lydia Martinelli r-Fr. 4-11 Morgantown, W.Va. Sarah Martinelli r-So. 5-2 Morgantown, W.Va. Sarah McCauley Fr. 5-4 Belington, W.Va. Aubrey Moskal r-Jr. 5-3 Morgantown, W.Va. Jessica O’Connell r-Sr. 5-2 Calgary, Alberta Allison Pettit r-Fr. 5-6 Morgantown, W.Va. Hallie Portner r-Jr. 5-1 Morgantown, W.Va. Letitia Probst Fr. 5-4 Elkins, W.Va. Head Coach: Sean Cleary (Fifth Season/20th Overall)

By State/Country West Virginia Canada Ohio

By Class Freshman Seniors Juniors Sophomores Pronunciation Guide Stephanie Aldea Sarah-Anne Brault Rachel Buser Aubrey Moskal Letitia Probst

30 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]

High School/Last School University of Houston Collège Louis-Riel Berkeley Springs Wheeling Central Catholic Preston Hurricane Cedarville University Preston Birchmount Park Capital University Morgantown University University Philip Barbour Morgantown University of Calgary Morgantown University Elkins

15 4 1

6 5 5 4

all-DAY-uh breaux b-YEW-ser moss-CULL la-TEESH-a praw-ST

Stephanie Caruso

[ 5-1 • r-senior • wheeling, w.va. • wheeling central catholic ] • Looks for strong senior finale after battling injury last season • Excellent runner in track and cross country At West Virginia in 2010 • Competed at the BIG EAST Preview, finishing in 38th place at 20:56 (5.4k) • BIG EAST academic all-star

FAVORITES Favorite food … Italian food and cheese Favorite musician … Hootie and the Blowfish Favorite movie … Miss Congeniality and The Proposal Favorite athlete … Ryan Hall FILL INS My greatest running moment was … my 3000-meter race at Penn State two years ago and running at the BIG EAST Championships.

One coach Cleary saying I’ll never forget is …

“It’s all about the ‘tude dude.”

My pre-meet rituals include … listening to music and eating peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

coaches runners preview review record wvu media

At West Virginia in 2009 • Finishing at 18:52 at the ECAC Championships • Had a sixth-place finish (19:05) at the Maryland- Eastern Shore Lid-Lifter Invitational • Finished 20th at the Midwest Open (18:45) • Raced at the Paul Short Invitational, finishing in 21:44 (6k) At West Virginia in 2008 • Finished 52nd at the ECAC Championships in 19:15 • Came in 27th at the Princeton Invitational • Finished third at the Preston Relays in 18:14 (5k) At West Virginia in 2007 • Redshirted Prep • State champion in the 3200-meter run for three years at Wheeling Central Catholic • 2007 state champion in the 1600-meter race • Member of the winning 2004 OVAC cross country team Personal • Daughter of Michael and Cheryl Caruso • Has one sister and one brother • Birthday is April 24 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

I chose WVU because …

I loved the team.

QUOTE I ADMIRE “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40:31

[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 31

Kaylyn Christopher

[ 5-6 • r-senior • kingwood, w.va. • preston ] • After redshirting last season, will be a team leader looking for a strong finish to a stellar career • Has NCAA and BIG EAST Championship experience • All-American in track and CoSIDA Academic All-American At West Virginia in 2010 • Redshirt season • BIG EAST academic all-star

FAVORITES Favorite food … chicken parmesan with strawberry lemonade to drink Favorite musician … Usher Favorite movie … Toy Story 3 Favorite athlete … Alan Webb FILL INS I would never be caught … awake before 9 a.m. (at least not voluntarily!)

My greatest running moment was … there are many great moments, almost too hard to pick just one, but perhaps the most memorable was being the first West Virginia high school female to break 5 minutes in the mile.

My pre-meet rituals include … having my mother wear my winged foot necklace and eating Teddy Grahams.

I chose WVU because …

I was excited about the potential of the track and cross country teams and it is close to home.

QUOTE I ADMIRE “Nobody is going to win a 5,000-meter race after running an easy two miles. Not with me. If I lose forcing the pace all the way, well, at least I can live with myself.”

- Steve Prefontaine

At West Virginia in 2009 • Raced well at the 2009 NCAA Championships, finishing 87th with a time of 21:21 (6k) • Named all-region after crossing the line in 24th at the Mid-Atlantic Regionals (21:45)(6k) • Finished in 28th place at the BIG EAST Championship (6k) • Placed 21st (20:56) in WVU’s first-place showing at the Paul Short Invitational (6k) • Placed 11th at the Penn State Invitational (21:02) (6k) • Earned CoSIDA Academic All-America third team honors At West Virginia in 2008 • Placed 110th (21:17) at the NCAA Championships (6k) • Finished 17th with a time of 22:14 at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional (6k) • Finished 18th at the BIG EAST Championship with a 6k time of 21:09 • Placed ninth (20:59) at the Penn State National Invitational (6k) • Finished 38th with a 6k time of 21:24 at the Paul Short Invitational • Beat her personal- and course-best time of 15:19, crossing the finish line at 15:17 at the WVU Gold-Blue Meet (2.5 miles) • Member of 2008 USTFCCCA women’s all-Academic team • Named to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic all-Region team At West Virginia in 2007 • Won the WVU Invitational • Took third at Lock Haven (21:28) • Finished 54th at the Paul Short Invitational (6k) • Fifth Mountaineer to finish at the Penn State National, taking 38th place (21:58) (6k) • Placed 43rd at the BIG EAST Championships (21:57)(6k) • Came in 30th overall at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional in 21:17 (6k) • Placed 137th (22:35) as the sixth WVU finisher at the NCAA Championships (6k) • Placed 16th in the junior 6000-meter run at the USA Cross Country Championships in San Diego

32 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]

Prep • McCoy Award winner as a senior at Preston High • Named Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year as a junior • Three-year state champion and record holder in the 1600-meter run • Won state championship and set record in 3200-meter run as a junior • A two-time state runner-up in cross country as a junior and senior Personal • Daughter of William and Janet Christopher • One of five children • Birthday is April 10 • Majoring in journalism • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

Kate Harrison

[ 5-6 • r-senior • toronto, ontario, canada • birchmount park ] • After redshirt season, will again be a team leader • All-American 10,000-meter runner in track • Has been a consistently strong finisher throughout her career At West Virginia in 2010 • Redshirted • BIG EAST Academic All-Star

FAVORITES Favorite food … burritos from Black Bear or ice cream Favorite musician … I’ll go Canadian, the Tragically Hip Favorite movie … I like a lot of action-type movies with intricate plots, like Babel, Crash or Inception Favorite athlete … Lauren Fleshman FILL INS I would never be caught … eating a Big Mac. It has happened once on a bet, but I’m a health nut.

My greatest running moment was … winning Canadian Cross Country Championships. That’s when I realized I could be really good at this sport.

One coach Cleary saying I’ll never forget is …

I can’t think of one phrase in particular, but every time you have a conversation with him you leave convinced that if you work hard and do the little things right you can take on the world.

My pre-meet rituals include … peanut butter and banana three hours before.

coaches runners preview review record wvu media

At West Virginia in 2009 • Finished 94th (21:25) at the 2009 NCAA Championships (6k) • Placed 19th at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional (21:40), named to all-region team • Finished 21st at the BIG EAST Championship (22:20) (6k) • Finished 20th (20:56) at the Paul Short Invitational (6k) At West Virginia in 2008 • Placed 69th in NCAA Championships race (20:57) (6k) • Finished 23rd at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional with a 6k time of 22:26, named to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic all-region team • Finished 32nd (21:34) out of 137 total runners at BIG EAST Championship (6k) • Placed 18th (21:07) at Penn State National (6k) • Finished 17th at Paul Short Invitational in 20:53 (6k) At West Virginia in 2007 • Finished second at the WVU Invitational • Placed fifth (21:35) at the Lock Haven Invitational • Took 39th overall at the Paul Short Invitational (6k) • Placed 36th (21:57) at the Penn State National (6k) • Came in 33rd place at the BIG EAST Championship (6k) • Ran a 6k time of 22:52 at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional

Prep • Ran for Bill Stephens at Birchmount Park • Finished eighth in the 3,000-meter run at 2005 Canadian Junior Nationals • Ran to a seventh-place finish in the 3,000-meter run at 2006 Canadian Junior Nationals • Took silver in the 3,000-meter run at the 2006 OFSAA Personal • Daughter of David and Wilhelmina Harrison • Has one brother and one sister • Birthday is June 20 • Named all-academic honoree by the USTFCCCA • Majoring in exercise physiology • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

I chose WVU because … there is an awesome team here of athletes and coaches committed to being the best athletes, students and people they can be.

QUOTE I ADMIRE “Maybe it wasn’t talent the Lord gave me, maybe it was the passion.”

-Wayne Gretzky

[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 33

Ahna Lewis

[ 5-6 • r-senior • morgantown, w.va. • morgantown ] • Had a strong finish last season after sitting out first half due to injury • One of the most dependable runners on the team • Has NCAA and BIG EAST Championship experience

FAVORITES Favorite food … my mom’s chicken pot pie Favorite movie … Mulan Favorite athlete … Megan Metcalfe Wright FILL INS I would never be caught … eating cheese whiz.

My greatest running moment was … outkicking a rival runner to get 15th at NCAA Cross Country Regionals which helped WVU tie for first in the Mid-Atlantic region. As a result WVU got an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships where we placed in the final four.

One coach Cleary saying I’ll never forget is …

“Just do your best and let God do the rest.”

My pre-meet rituals include … eating a bowl of oatmeal.

I chose WVU because …

I grew up in this state and have always been and always will be a Mountaineer. I was also trained by Coach Cleary as a kid and couldn’t imagine running for anyone else.

At West Virginia in 2010 • Came in 25th at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional, finishing in 21:31 (6k) • Raced at the BIG EAST Championship, arriving in 33rd with a 6k time of 22:19 • Finished 36th overall at the Penn State National in 21:44 (6k) • Sat out first few meets of season due to injury • BIG EAST Academic All-Star At West Virginia in 2009 • Placed 27th at the Mid-Atlantic Regional (21:45) (6k) • Raced at the NCAA Championships, finishing in 22:13 (6k) • Finished ninth at the Midwest Open after crossing the line in 18:17 At West Virginia in 2008 • Placed 163rd (21:41) at NCAA Championships (6k) • Named all-region with 15th-place mark at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional in 22:09 (6k) • Finished with a 6k time of 21:17 in 22nd place at BIG EAST Championship • Came in eighth place at Penn State National (6k) • Ran the Paul Short Invitational in 20:49 (6k) to finish in 15th • Second overall at the Old Nassau Run in 21:53 • One of three runners to break the WVU Agronomy Farm course record during Gold-Blue meet, finishing in 15:07 At West Virginia in 2007 • Redshirt season

QUOTE I ADMIRE “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

- Colossians 3:23

34 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]

Prep • Three-time member of state champion Morgantown High cross country team • 2003 state runner-up in cross country • 2004 state champion in the 1600-meter run • Valedictorian of graduating class • Recipient of the John Rockis Award that acknowledges the Morgantown High athlete with the highest cumulative GPA • Earned the Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete award Personal • Daughter of Charles and Virginia Lewis • Has one sister • Birthday is Oct. 5 • Majoring in secondary education • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

Jessica O’Connell

[ 5-2 • r-senior • calgary, alberta, canada • university of calgary ] • After redshirt season, will be a team leader with multiple years of championship experience in track and cross country • Consistently strong finisher

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At West Virginia in 2010 • Redshirt season • BIG EAST Academic All-Star

FAVORITES Favorite food … anything and everything sweet!

Favorite musician … The Dudes Favorite movie … Garden State Favorite athlete … Terry Fox FILL INS I would never be caught … dunking a basketball.

My greatest running moment was … surprising myself at my first Junior Nationals in Quebec.

One coach Cleary saying I’ll never forget is …

“Okay girls, I want you to grab as many golf balls as you can.” (from a cross country course) My pre-meet rituals include … ice cream the night before a race.

I chose WVU because … it has a wonderful team and tradition.

QUOTE I ADMIRE “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” - Nelson Mandela

At West Virginia in 2009 • Finished ECAC Championships ninth with a time of 17:37 • Came in 74th at the Mid-Atlantic Regionals (6k) • Placed 30th at the BIG EAST Championship (6k) • First on team to arrive at finish line at the Paul Short Invitational, coming in 10th overall • Finished 18th at the Penn State Invitational (6k) At West Virginia in 2008 • Finished 160th at NCAA Championships (21:40) (6k) • Placed 33rd at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals with a 6k time of 22:53 • Ran the BIG EAST Championships in 21:30 (6k), taking 29th place • Finished 21st (21:11) at the Penn State National (6k) At the University of Calgary • Rookie of the year for track and cross country • Two-time all-Canadian (1,500-meter and 4x800-meter) • Ran a time of 4:19.42 to take second in the 1,500-meter at the Victoria International Track Classic • Qualified for World Junior Cross Country Championships • 1,500-meter qualifier for the 2008 World Junior Championships in Poland

Personal • Daughter of Steve and Annette O’Connell • One of two children • Birthday is Feb. 10 • Irish danced for 10 years • Majoring in exercise physiology

Prep • Ran for Mike Van Tighem at Western Canada High • 2006 Athletics Alberta Juvenile Athlete of the Year • Two-time cross country athlete of the year • Two-time track athlete of the year • Five-time high school provincial champion in track • Placed ninth at the NACAC Cross Country Championship • Third in 3,000-meter and fourth in 1,500-meter at the Pan-Am Junior Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Stephanie Aldea

[ 5-8 • r-junior • windsor, ontario, canada • houston ] • Looks to build on last year’s redshirt season after transferring from Houston • Gained valuable experience practicing with track and cross country At West Virginia in 2010 • Redshirt season • BIG EAST Academic All-Star At Houston in 2009 • Placed 16th in the NCAA South-Central Regional, helping team to a seventh-place finish FAVORITES Favorite food … steak and potatoes Favorite musician … Justin Bieber Favorite movie … Million Dollar Baby Favorite athlete … Lauren Fleshman FILL INS I would never be caught … wearing Vibram FiveFingers Shoes.

My greatest running moment was … when my parents came and watched me run at the OFSAA Track & Field Championship in 2008.

At Houston in 2008 • Named Conference USA’s Rookie of the Year for women’s cross country • Qualified for the NCAA Championship, finishing 215th overall Prep • Ran for Scott Moncur at St. Anne High • OFSAA medalist during senior season in the 1500-meter and 3000-meter • WECSSAA 3,000-meter record holder, breaking a 26-year record Personal • Daughter of Terry and Jasna Aldea • Has one sister • Birthday is Feb. 1 • Majoring in economics • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

My pre-meet rituals include … eating peanut butter and toast, doing a morning jog, stretching and listening to my favorite motivational music.

I chose WVU because … it is one of the top programs in the country with a leader (Coach Cleary) being the best in his field.

QUOTE I ADMIRE “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

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Sarah-Anne Brault

[ 5-6 • r-junior • winnipeg, manitoba, canada • collège louis-riel ] • Will look to build on last year’s NCAA Championships experience • Strong runner who has greatly improved under Cleary’s supervision • Has a triathlon background

FAVORITES Favorite food … breakfast Favorite musician … Beethoven Favorite movie … Forrest Gump Favorite athlete … Alistair Brownlee FILL INS I would never be caught … biking without my helmet.

My greatest running moment was … qualifying for nationals in the 10km with a personal record at regionals.

One coach Cleary saying I’ll never forget is …

“Lets go Brault! atta boy...hum...girl,” during a 5km my freshman year.

My pre-meet rituals include … peanut butter-banana breakfast, face tattoos and many bathroom breaks.

I chose WVU because … the coaching philosophy and Shannon’s dragon imitation during my recruiting trip.

At West Virginia in 2010 • Qualified to compete individually at the NCAA Championships, finishing in 71st overall at 21:08 (6k) • Earned all-Mid-Atlantic Region honors with a 16th-place mark in 20:51 (6k) at the Mid-Atlantic Regional • Arrived in 22nd place at the BIG EAST Championship in 21:46 (6k) • Came in 26th place at the BIG EAST Preview in 20:10 (5.4k) • Took second place at the Notre Dame Invitational with a 5K time of 17:30 • Had an 11th-place finish at the Penn State National in 21:05 (6k) • BIG EAST Academic All-Star At West Virginia in 2009 • Finished in seventh (18:05.3) at the Midwest Open 5k course • Placed 13th at the Paul Short Invitational, crossing the line with a time of 20:35 (6k) • Crossed the line in eighth place with a 6k time of 20:59 at the Penn State Invitational At West Virginia in 2008 • Redshirt season

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Personal • Daughter of David Brault and Sylvie De Serres • One of three children • Birthday is Dec. 1 • Majoring in economics • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

Prep • Ran for coach Alphonse Bernard at Collège Louis-Riel • Voted Manitoba Distance Female Athlete of the Year in 2006 and 2007 • Owns 5,000-meter junior female provincial record • Silver medal winner in 3,000-meter at Canadian junior nationals in 2006 and 2007 • Represented Manitoba at cross country junior nationals in 2005 and 2006 • 2008 Manitoba Half Marathon winner • Four-time cross country provincial champion (2004-07) • Member of junior national triathlon team from 2006-08

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Kaitlyn Gillespie

[ 5-2 • junior • cuyahoga falls, ohio • cuyahoga falls christian academy ] • Riding high on confidence following All-America honors from last season

FAVORITES Favorite food … MonaVie protein shake Favorite musician … Sanctus Real Favorite movie … don’t have one Favorite athlete … Team Hoyt, Shalane Flanagan and Deena Kastor FILL INS I would never be caught … without my watter bottle!

My greatest running moment was … learning that running is full of many great moments. I would say I find the journeys of running the greatest.

Workouts with the team are some of the most special moments....like when we all nail 10 x 1000 or have a really great tempo. Finishing my first eight mile tempo was pretty exciting!

One coach Cleary saying I’ll never forget is …

“It’s all about the ‘tude dude.”

My pre-meet rituals include …

Shake out run, protein shake for breakfast and staying lighthearted and laid back before the race.

At West Virginia in 2010 • Earned All-America honors following her 34th- place finish at the NCAA Championships in 20:46 (6k) • Achieved all-Mid-Atlantic Region accolades with a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional in 20:31 (6k) • Earned all-BIG EAST honors with a 10th-place mark at the BIG EAST Championship with a 6k time of 21:17 • Finished 17th at the Penn State National with a 6k time of 21:13 • Came in first place at the BIG EAST Preview in 18:28 • Achieved her second first-place finish of the season at the Notre Dame Invitational with a 5K time of 17:24 • BIG EAST Academic All-Star At Cedarville in 2009 • NCCAA and NAIA All-American • Placed sixth at the NAIA Championships • Named conference female athlete of the week four times • Named team’s Most Valuable Runner • Took first place at the Shawnee State Invitational, the DePauw/Rose-Hulman Invitational, the Aquinas Invitational, the American Conference Championship and the NCCAA Championships Prep • Captain of the cross country team at Cuyahoga Falls Christian Academy • 2008 state champion in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races • Member of 2008 state championship team • Dapper Dan Club of Akron honoree

I chose WVU because …

God really opened the doors for me to be here! I heard about coach Cleary and the awesome things he is doing here with runners and wanted to be part of the fun!

QUOTE I ADMIRE “For the strength of the Pack is in the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is in the Pack.” - Rudyard Kipling

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Personal • Daughter of Jim and Diane Gillespie • Has one brother and a sister • Birthday is June 28 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

Aubrey Moskal

[ 5-3 • r-junior • morgantown, w.va. • morgantown ] • Competed in five events last season with solid finishes at each meet • Strong runner with track and cross country experience at regional and conference events

FAVORITES Favorite food … sweet potatoes Favorite musician … Taylor Swift Favorite movie … How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days Favorite athlete … Michael Phelps FILL INS I would never be caught … without my family and hard work.

My greatest running moment was … going sub-five minutes in the full mile!

One coach Cleary saying I’ll never forget is … right before a workout when he says, “Are you ready to see Jesus?”

My pre-meet rituals include … eating waffles with yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast, putting my jersey on with my bib number, listening to my iPod and relaxing with my teammates.

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At West Virginia in 2010 • Ran at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional, taking 50th place with a 6K time of 22:07 • Came in 55th place at the BIG EAST Championship in 23:06 (6k) • Competed at the Penn State National, finishing with a 6k time of 22:57 • Arrived in 25th place at the BIG EAST Preview with a time of 20:09 • Finished in second place at the WVU Invitational with a 4K time of 15:20 • BIG EAST Academic All-Star At West Virginia in 2009 • Raced at the ECAC Championships, finishing in 18:25 • Came in 21st at the Maryland Eastern Shore Lid-Lifter Invitational At West Virginia in 2008 • Redshirt season • Finished 33rd (23:10) in the junior women’s 6K at the United States World Cross Country Trials Prep • A top-15 finisher at the state cross country meet for three years at Morgantown High • All-state in cross country as a freshman • Captain of state runner-up cross country team as a senior • All-state in 800-meters and 4x800 as a senior

Personal • Daughter of Pam Moskal • Birthday is Feb. 20 • Sister, Lauren, competes for the WVU track team • Majoring in elementary education

I chose WVU because … it is my hometown and I wanted to stay close to my family. All my coaches and teammates are so supportive and I knew I wouldn’t find that on any other team.

QUOTE I ADMIRE “You have to wonder at times what you’re doing out there. Over the years, I’ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to selfsatisfaction and a sense of achievement.” - Steve Prefontaine

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Hallie Portner

[ 5-1 • r-junior • morgantown, w.va. • university ] • Gifted runner with several strong finishes last season • Has regional and conference championship experience

FAVORITES Favorite food … my mom’s homemade tiramisu Favorite musician … Ingrid Michaelson Favorite movie … Just Like Heaven Favorite athlete … Shawn Johnson FILL INS I would never be caught … without faith, family or friends.

My greatest running moment was … winning the home cross country meet my sophomore year - I felt strong the entire race.

My pre-meet rituals include … for a morning meet oatmeal and toast or an afternoon meet a peanut butter and banana sandwich, then a 20 minute warm up, a good stretch, some drills and striders and then race time!

I chose WVU because … we have a great coach here, you’re surrounded by amazing runners, I’m close to home and all-in-all it’s a great atmosphere for running.

At West Virginia in 2010 • Came in 62nd at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional with a 6K time of 22:20 • Arrived in 53rd place at the BIG EAST Championship with a 6k time of 23:01 • Finished 73rd at the Penn State National, crossing the line in 22:23 (6k) • Came in 26th place at the Notre Dame Invitational in 18:37 (5k) • Arrived in 23rd place at the BIG EAST Preview in 20:00 • Earned a first-place finish at the WVU Invitational with a 4K time of 15:02 • BIG EAST Academic All-Star At West Virginia in 2009 • Raced at the ECAC Championships, finishing in 18:18 • Came in seventh at the Maryland Eastern Shore Invitational, crossing the line in 19:06 At West Virginia in 2008 • Redshirted • Finished 32nd (23:08) in the junior women’s 6K at the United States World Cross Country Trials Prep • Coached by Ed Frohnapfel at University High • NCAC 1,600-meter champion and took third at 2008 state meet • Helped cross country team win 2007 NCAC, regional and state titles • Took third individually at the 2007 state cross country meet • All-conference in track and cross country • Also played soccer

QUOTE I ADMIRE “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”

- Thomas Jefferson

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Personal • Daughter of Robert and Darlene Portner • Full name is Hallina • Grew up in Colorado Springs, Colo., before moving to Morgantown • One of two children • Birthday is May 14 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor

Rachel Buser

[ 5-5 • r-sophomore • berkeley springs, w.va. • berkeley springs ] • Will contribute to team following two years of limited action • Excels in the classroom • One of the top high school runners in state history At West Virginia in 2010 • Redshirt season

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At West Virginia in 2009 • Saw limited action

FAVORITES Favorite food … crab legs Favorite musician … Lady Gaga Favorite movie … Bridesmaids Favorite athlete … Dan Marino FILL INS I would never be caught … touching a snake.

My greatest running moment was … winning my first cross country state title and team title.

My pre-meet rituals include … getting up early, eating pancakes and listening to some of my favorite music.

Prep • All-American at Berkeley Springs High, placing third at the USATF Junior Olympic Championships • Four-time A/AA state champion • McCoy Award recipient • AAU Cross Country Girls Youth national champion • Three-time champion who owns state records in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races • Also played basketball Personal • Daughter of Steve and Betsy Buser • Has one brother • Birthday is May 27 • Majoring in child development and family studies • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

I chose WVU because … it is a great running program and I love representing the Mountaineers!

QUOTE I ADMIRE “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”

- Steve Prefontaine

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Jordan Hamric

[ 5-4 • r-sophomore • bruceton mills, w.va. • preston ] • Geared for a breakout season after battling injuries early in her WVU career • Earned valuable experience competing in five meets last season

FAVORITES Favorite food … cereal Favorite musician … John Mayer Favorite movie … Chronicles of Narnia Favorite athlete … Bernard Lagat FILL INS I would never be caught … watching baseball on TV. My greatest running moment was … winning the two mile at states my junior year with an unexpected personal record. I consider it my running breakthrough.

One coach Cleary saying I’ll never forget is …

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph!”

My pre-meet rituals include … eating a bagel with jelly for breakfast and pinning my number on my jersey before I put it on.

I chose WVU because …

I wanted to be a Mountaineer and run for one of the best coaches in the country.

At West Virginia in 2010 • Came in 85th at the BIG EAST Championship with a 6K time of 24:39 • Competed at the Penn State National, crossing the finish line in 23:12 (6k) • Arrived in 48th place at the Notre Dame Invitational with a 5K time of 18:56 • Earned a 39th-place mark at the BIG EAST Preview in 21:05 • Came in third at the WVU Invitational with a 4K time of 15:25 At West Virginia in 2009 • Medical redshirt season At West Virginia in 2008 • Redshirt season Prep • Ran cross country and track for coach Paul Martin at Preston High • All-state in cross country as senior, finishing ninth at state championship • State champion of the 3,200-meter as a junior • Placed second in the 3,200-meter run as a senior • Member of record-setting 4x800-meter state champion relay in 2005 and 2007 Personal • Daughter of Ron and Michelle Hamric • Sister, Karly, also ran track and cross country at WVU • Birthday is Oct. 4 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

QUOTE I ADMIRE “If you believe in it, you can achieve it.”

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Chelsea Jarvis

[ 5-2 • r-sophomore • clendenin, w.va. • capital ] • Competed in four races last season with strong placements to help the team score • Has two years of collegiate running experience in track and cross country

FAVORITES Favorite food … grilled chicken salad with fruit and nuts

At West Virginia in 2010 • Came in 88th at the BIG EAST Championship with a 6K time of 24:46 • Competed at the Penn State National with a 6k time of 23:36 • Finished 33rd at the BIG EAST Preview at Syracuse at 20:35 • Came in fourth at the WVU Invitational, finishing the 4K race in 15:33

Prep • Coached by Cali Wesson at Capital High • Three-time regional champion • Ran for the Wapiti Runners coached by Dave Fields Personal • Daughter of Scott and Terri Jarvis • Has one sister • Birthday is Dec. 27 • Majoring in biology • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

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At West Virginia in 2009 • Redshirted

Favorite musician … Train Favorite movie … 10 Things I Hate About You Favorite athlete … Kara Goucher

Sarah Martinelli

[ 5-2 • r-sophomore • morgantown, w.va. • university ]

FAVORITES Favorite food … my dad’s spaghetti Favorite musician … The Jonas Brothers

• Improved greatly last season with several strong Prep • 2008 cross country captain for coach Ed finishes Frohnapel at University High • Has potential to be a great runner at WVU • Helped team to two straight state titles • Placed 10th individually at the state At West Virginia in 2010 • Came in 52nd at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional championship in 2008 • Named first team all-conference in 2007-08 with a 6K time of 22:07 • Arrived in 46th at the BIG EAST Championship Personal in 22:51(6k) • Daughter of David and Paula Martinelli • Finished 83rd at the Penn State National in • Has one brother and two sisters 22:28 (6k) • Sister, Lydia, also competes for track and • Raced at the Notre Dame Invitational, finishing cross country at WVU in 38th with a 5k time of 18:47 • BIG EAST Academic All-Star • Birthday is Sept. 25 • Majoring in exercise physiology At West Virginia in 2009 • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor • Redshirt season Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star

Favorite movie … Too many to pick just one Favorite athlete … Troy Polamalu

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Josie Crouch

[ 5-9 • r-freshman • hurricane, w.va. • hurricane ] • Will build on experience from track and cross country following redshirt season • Also an excellent student At West Virginia in 2010 • Redshirt season

FAVORITES Favorite food … anything with chocolate

Prep • Ran for coach Bill Posey at Hurricane High • Three-time state champion soccer player for the Rowdies Soccer Club • Member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta • Three-year state champion in the 400-meter dash • All-state cross country runner

Personal • Daughter of Joe and Jennifer Crouch • Has one brother and one sister • Birthday is Aug. 1 • Father played baseball at the collegiate level • Majoring in exercise physiology • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

Favorite musician … Foster the People Favorite movie … Grease Favorite athlete … Kara Goucher

Alison Kimble

[ 5-0 • r-freshman • morgantown, w.va. • university ] • Following redshirt season, looks to build on collegiate running experience and strong prep career At West Virginia in 2010 • Redshirt season • Ran unattached at the WVU Invitational, finishing seventh overall in 16:02

FAVORITES Favorite food … cheesecake Favorite musician … Goo Goo Dolls Favorite movie … Bruce Almighty

Prep • Ran for coach Ed Frohnapfel at University High • Second team all-state in cross country in 2009 • Lettered in cross country for three years and track and field for four years • Member of the 2010 all-state 4x800 distance medley relay team • Member of the National Honor Society • Played soccer for two years

Favorite athlete … Mia Hamm

44 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]

Personal • Daughter of Rocky and Anna Kimble • Has two brothers • Birthday is Aug. 3 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

Lydia Martinelli

[ 4-11 • r-freshman • morgantown, w.va. • university ] • After redshirting last season, looks to build off strong prep career At West Virginia in 2010 • Redshirt season • Ran unattached at the WVU Invitational, finishing eighth overall in 16:19 • BIG EAST Academic All-Star

Personal coaches • Daughter of David and Paula Martinelli runners • Has one brother and two sisters preview • Sister, Sarah, also competes for the team review • Birthday is June 11 record • Majoring in secondary education wvu • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor media Roll

Prep • An all-state runner for three consecutive years at University High • Ran for coach Dan Demchalz FAVORITES Favorite food … eggplant parmesan Favorite musician … Jonas Brothers Favorite movie … Star Wars Return of the Jedi Favorite athlete … Evgeni Malkin

Sarah McCauley

[ 5-4 • freshman • belington, w.va. • philip barbour ] • Has tremendous potential and finds ways to win • Expected to redshirt this season

FAVORITES Favorite food … buffalo wings Favorite musician … Britt Nicole

Prep • Coached by Missy Kaiser at Philip Barbour High • 1600- and 3200-meter champion in 2010 and 2011 • 2010 Gatorade West Virginia Cross Country Runner of the Year • Won individual title and led team to state cross country title in 2010 • Placed third at state championship in 2008 and 2009, earning all-state • 1600-meter champion in 2008 • Also competed in basketball, volleyball and track • Graduated magna cum laude with a 3.88 GPA • Student Body Vice President

Personal • Daughter of George and Robin McCauley • Has one brother • Birthday is Nov. 29 • Plans to major in dental hygiene

Favorite movie … Letters to Juliet Favorite athlete … Tim Tebow

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Allison Pettit

[ 5-6 • r-freshman • morgantown, w.va. • morgantown high ] • Has the ability to be an impact runner this fall • A natural grass runner, looks for big improvements this season At West Virginia in 2010 • Redshirted • Ran unattached at the WVU Invitational, BIG EAST Preview and Notre Dame Invitational • BIG EAST Academic All-Star

FAVORITES Favorite food … too many to pick just one

Personal • Daughter of John and Denise Pettit • Has one sister • Birthday is Nov. 20 • Father competed for WVU swim team • Majoring in exercise physiology • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll

Prep • MVP of Morgantown High cross country and track teams • Ran under coach John Patti and coach Mike Ryan • Recipient of the Arthur Clyde Award • National Honors Society member and officer

Favorite musician … Kenny Chesney Favorite movie … The Guardian Favorite athlete … WVU women’s cross country and track team members

Letitia Probst

[ 5-4 • freshman • elkins, w.va. • elkins high ] • Has tremendous potential and raw talent • Will likely redshirt this season

FAVORITES Favorite food … peaches Favorite musician … Jack Johnson

Personal • Daughter of Lanny and Molly Propst • Father was a multi-sport athlete at Potomac Prep State and walked on at WVU in track • Coached by Shellie Burda at Elkins High • Has one brother • Earned three individual state cross country titles • Birthday is Dec. 3 (2007, 2008, 2010) • Enrolled in general studies • Achieved four individual regional cross country titles and three personal NCAC titles • Earned three individual track titles as a senior in the 3200-, 1600- and 800-meter runs • Two-time Gatorade Player of the Year (2007, 2008) • Also competed in swimming • National Honor Society member • National Spanish Honor Society • Student Body Vice President

Favorite movie … The Hangover Favorite athlete … Shaun White

46 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]

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[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 47

Season Preview

[ six ncaa qualifiers return for 2011 ]

Known for his ingenuity and masterful capability of utilizing talent when it will most help his team, WVU coach Sean Cleary has set up the formula for a successful program, which the 2011 cross country team looks to prove this fall.

“The outlook is good for this year’s team,” the fifth-year head coach says. “We have a lot of girls with several years of experience and we’re hoping it all comes together this season to compete for conference and national championships.”

Expected to be 2011 leaders, seniors Kaylyn Christopher, Jessica O’Connell and Kate Harrison were asked by Cleary to sit out the season as redshirts so that he could position the team with limitless potential in 2011.

Working with a wide spectrum of experienced runners, Cleary is fully aware of the unbound accomplishments his team can achieve this season.

“I’d like to see us back to the 2007-09 form,” Cleary says. “These girls have improved a lot. My first expectation is for us to be back as a team at the NCAA Championships. If all goes well, we can end up in the Top 10 if we execute properly.”

One returning All-American, junior Kaitlyn Gillespie, has the same expectations of a year ago as she looks to repeat all-region and all-conference accolades. To become an All-American, she placed 34th at the NCAA Championships and had 10th-place marks at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional and BIG EAST Championships to earn all-region and all-BIG EAST recognitions. The Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, native also had two first-place finishes on

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the year and came in 17th place at the Penn State National.

Redshirt junior Sarah-Anne Brault, who also participated as an individual at last year’s NCAA Championships, hopes to repeat all-region honors as she came in 16th place at the Mid-Atlantic Regional. Consistently one of the team’s top finishers, the track AllAmerican came in second place at the Notre Dame Invitational, 11th at the Penn State National and had a nice race at the BIG EAST Championships, placing 22nd with a 6K time of 21:46.

Christopher, an All-American track athlete in the distance medley relay, has also competed well for cross country and is a three-time participant at the NCAA Championships and a two time all-region performer.

Before redshirting last season, she placed 87th at the national championships in 2009 and placed 24th at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. In addition to being a top runner for the team, the Kingwood, W. Va., native is a CoSIDA Academic All-American and United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches of America (USTFCCCA) all-academic recipient.

A native of Toronto, Harrison also brings a wealth of experience to the team as a top performer in cross country and track. In 2008, she placed 69th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships and came in 94th one year later in the same event. Before redshirting last season, Harrison was a two time all-region performer having placed 19th at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional in 2009 and 23rd in 2008. This past outdoor track

season, she was named a first team AllAmerican in the 10,000-meter race following a second-place finish at the NCAA Championships.

O’Connell returns for her final season as a two-time participant at the BIG EAST Championships and NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional.

In 2009, she placed 74th at the regional and came in 30th place at the BIG EAST Championships, while she came in 33rd at the regional and 29th at the BIG EAST event in 2008. The Calgary, Alberta, native also competed at the NCAA Championships that season, helping the team to its fourth-place national finish.

With an equal amount of experienced and young runners, Cleary will look to both for leadership.

“Time will tell who the leaders are this year,” Cleary says. “We have team leaders on the course and leaders that help the team prepare mentally. Stephanie Caruso is the glue that keeps everyone together, and Stephanie Aldea brings tremendous ideas and energy to the team. We may not have set rally leaders on the course, but several that are going to take this program back to where it was two years ago.”

Having sat out the first part of last season because of injury, senior Ahna Lewis is set to maintain the momentum she picked up in the year’s final meets as she just missed qualifying for all-conference and all-region marks. A Morgantown native, Lewis finished the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional in 25th place and came in 33rd place at the BIG EAST Championships. She was an all-region performer in 2008 by placing 15th at the Mid-Atlantic Regional.

Now with a few years of collegiate experience, runners Jordan Hamric, Sarah Martinelli, Aubrey Moskal, Hallie Portner and Chelsea Jarvis are also prepared for breakout seasons as they look to build on strong performances from the 2010 season.

Hamric placed third at the WVU Invitational and had a solid performance at the BIG EAST Preview with a 39th-place mark. She also participated at the BIG EAST Championships for the team. Martinelli came on strong at the end of the season, placing 52nd at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional and coming in 46th place at the BIG EAST Championships, fifth best on the team to provide its final points.

Moskal, also a Morgantown native, came in second place at the WVU Invitational and came in 25th overall at the BIG EAST Preview.

She also contributed to the team with a 55th-place mark at the BIG EAST Championships and arrived in 50th at the Mid-Atlantic Regional. Portner started the year off right with a first-place finish at the WVU Invitational and followed it with a 23rd-place mark at the

Season Preview

[ six ncaa qualifiers return for 2011 ] BIG EAST Preview. She also competed at the BIG EAST Championships and NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional.

“These girls really stepped up for us last year,” Cleary says. “They’re not going to lie down and give up their spots. They kept our program afloat last season. We were still a national-class program because they were tremendous 4-5-6 runners to SarahAnne, Ahna, and Katie. I’m excited to see how they respond this year because they need to be ready to step up.”

The Mountaineers will have their hands full in conference competition as four BIG EAST schools finished in the top 10 at last year’s NCAA Championships.

Those schools, Villanova (1), Georgetown (4), Providence (9), and Syracuse (10), return the majority of their lineups from a year ago as the conference race will be up for grabs.

“The BIG EAST teams, including a much-improved Connecticut team, will provide a huge challenge to earn a conference championship,” Cleary says. “We’re looking at roughly seven schools from our league finishing in the Top 25. We’ll be going up against the national champions of the past two years, Villanova, and a Georgetown team that may win the national title. Provi-

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After redshirting in 2010, Kaylyn Christopher will return for her senior season to try to become an NCAA qualifier in 2011.

Sarah-Anne Brault is one of six NCAA qualifiers returning for the 2011 season.

dence and Syracuse pretty much have the same teams, too. We may have five schools in the Top 10 this year. It’s the toughest league in the country.”

Heading into the championship races, Cleary simply hopes his team will be mentally prepared by how they treat the initial races of the season.

“Our goal for the BIG EAST Championships is to be prepared for it,” he says.

“We’ll have a pretty good season setup to prepare for it, but it all comes down to the conference race. We won’t have the mindset to break course records or to have record-high point totals, but to focus on our strategy for the BIG EAST. We may be a darkhorse team that can upset some schools.”

Redshirt sophomore Chelsea Jarvis came in fourth place at the WVU Invitational and had a good run at the BIG EAST Preview, arriving in 33rd overall. Competing sparingly last season, redshirt senior Caruso and redshirt sophomore Rachel Buser also will look to play significant roles during the season.

Redshirting last year were freshmen Josie Crouch, Alison Kimble, Lydia Martinelli, Allison Pettit and Aldea, a transfer from Houston. All will utilize the year of training to compete for starting roles on the Mountaineer squad.

[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 49

Season Preview

[ six ncaa qualifiers return for 2011 ]

2011 WVU Cross Country Schedule Day

Date

Event

Saturday

Sept. 3

Maryland Eastern Shore Lid-Lifter Invitational

Friday

Sept. 23

Inter-Regional Bubble Buster

Saturday

Oct. 1

Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic

Friday

Oct. 14

Penn State National Invitational

Saturday

Oct. 29

BIG EAST Championships

Saturday

Nov. 12

NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional

Monday

Nov. 21

NCAA Championships

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Location Princess Anne, Md. Toledo, Ohio Louisville, Ky. State College, Pa. Louisville, Ky. Princess Anne, Md. Terre Haute, Ind.

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[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 51

Season Review

[ one all-american and one all-big east honoree ]

West Virginia University cross country coach Sean Cleary brings a big smile to his face when he looks back on the accomplishments made by his young squad during the 2010 season.

After all, for having lost three All-Americans to graduation in 2009, his current team sent two individuals to the NCAA Championships and came in fifth place in the nation’s toughest regional grouping and the BIG EAST Conference Championships – without three of its projected top runners as Cleary decided to redshirt seniors Kaylyn Christopher, Jessica O’Connell and Kate Harrison in the early part of the season.

Many would expect the team to fall apart and become irrelevant to prime competition, but Cleary’s group held strong.

“I am very happy with the way our year unfolded,” Cleary said. “The tradition at WVU is such that we were able to lose the most prolific graduating class in program history, a class that had four different All-Americans compiling 21 All-America certificates between them, and still find success. Redshirting three seniors that all have the ability to have been in our top positions this year and still emerge with a very young group of inexperienced women that found a way to scratch and claw their way into the national spotlight.

“This group only had Maria (Dalzot) that had ever run at the Big East or NCAA Regional Championships. The tenacity shown by this group to emerge as one of the top teams on the east coast is nothing short of outstanding. The attitude was that they knew they had their backs up against the wall. Tenacity, determination and courage are words to describe how they reacted to the news about

52 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]

the redshirting. I am very proud of everything that I witnessed this fall. Meeting every goal of the year minus the trip to the national finals has us looking quite strong for the future.”

The highlight of the season was when sophomore transfer Kaitlyn Gillespie earned All-America honors at the NCAA Championships following her 34th-place finish with a 6k time of 20:46. The Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, native and Cedarville University transfer also shined with all-Mid-Atlantic Region and all-BIG EAST performances in those respective races in State College, Pa., and Syracuse, N.Y., in which she arrived in tenth place at each. She began the season with consecutive first-place marks at the BIG EAST Preview and the Notre Dame Invitational.

The other NCAA Championships participant, redshirt sophomore Sarah-Anne Brault, ended the year with a respectable 71st-place finish at the event. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native also earned all-Mid-Atlantic Region accolades with her 16th-place mark at the event with a 6k time of 20:51. Brault’s top finish of the year came at the Notre Dame Invitational with a second-place finish.

She had another top-15 performance at the Penn State National, where she arrived in 11th place in 21:05.

Injured for the majority of the season, junior Ahna Lewis came on strong at the end of the year to post a 36th-place mark at the Penn State National, a solid 33rd place at the BIG EAST Championships and 25th place at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional with a time of 21:31.

“Katie (Gillespie) and Sarah-Anne (Brault) led this team from day one,” Cleary said. “They complemented each other very well in training and competition. Qualifying for the NCAA Championships as individuals was a tremendous accomplishment. To go to the meet without having the entire team with them and run the best races of their lives was not only a great moment on race day, but a huge boost of confidence for the future.

“There is no reason why Sarah-Anne cannot join Katie as an All-American in next year’s race. Add our redshirts and some of the younger girls that gained valuable experience this year and there should be some excitement surrounding this team next year.”

Departing seniors Maria Dalzot and Jamie Cokeley leave a lasting legacy of two runners who gave it their all throughout their running careers at West Virginia.

Dalzot, a Morgantown product, was consistent throughout the year and provided the team with crucial placements in several races. She started the season with a 16th-place finish at the BIG EAST Preview and ended strong with a 51st-place mark at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. She also had solid races at the Notre Dame Invitational and the BIG EAST Championships, where she came in 37th and 38th, respectively.

“Maria was here from the beginning of this era in WVU women’s cross country,” Cleary said. “On four or five instances, Maria single-handedly changed the destiny of this team. Maria was a huge part of our 2007 team winning the BIG EAST Championship.

Maria improved by about one minute for the clutch performance of the year in helping guide our team into the Top 10 at nationals that fall. Without her, these results would not have happened.”

A Pennsboro, W. Va., native, Cokeley ended her cross country career with a sixth-place finish at the WVU Invitational at the WVU Agronomy Farm on Sept. 4 and followed it with a 34th-place mark at the BIG EAST Preview in Syracuse, N.Y. She also raced at the Penn State National and finished the 6k race in 23:52.

Season Review

[ one all-american and one all-big east honoree]

“Jamie has been a fantastic leader for our younger runners,” Cleary said. “She took it upon herself to take the younger gals under her wing and teach them the ropes. Without her kindness, many would not have made the transitions that they did. We will miss both girls a great deal both on and off the course. Both were very strong in academics, as well.”

Three runners advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Regional race following strong performances at the BIG EAST Championships in redshirt sophomores Hallie Portner and Aubrey Moskal and redshirt freshman Sarah Martinelli.

Portner started the year off well by coming in first place at the WVU Invitational and followed it with two top-30 finishes at the BIG EAST Preview and Notre Dame Invitational. Martinelli came in 38th place at the Notre Dame race and also participated in the Penn State National, while Moskal came in second at the WVU Invitational and 25th place at the BIG EAST Preview in 20:09.

Redshirt sophomore Jordan Hamric and redshirt freshman Chelsea Jarvis turned in strong races at the BIG EAST Championships to represent the team well. They also competed well at the WVU Invitational and BIG EAST Preview to start the season strong. Hamric turned in a solid 48th-place finish at the Notre Dame Invitational, as well.

Redshirt freshman Allison Pettit came in fifth place at the WVU Invitational with a 4k time of 15:37 and 32nd place at the BIG EAST Preview. Redshirt junior Stephanie Caruso provided the team with a boost at the BIG EAST Preview, as well, coming in 38th place in 20:56.

“The progression of this group has been outstanding,” Cleary said. “Each one of these young ladies knew that they had to be perfect in order to help this program. The fact that three of them found a way on to the BIG EAST and regional team is simply outstanding. I am very impressed with their

Jamie Cokeley

2010 Results

Date Opponent Top Finisher Sept. 4 WVU Invitational H. Portner Sept. 11 BIG EAST Preview K. Gillespie Oct. 1 Notre Dame Invitational K. Gillespie Oct. 16 Penn State National S. Brault Oct. 30 BIG EAST Championships K. Gillespie Nov. 13 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional K. Gillespie Nov. 22 NCAA Championships K. Gillespie

Results 1st 1st 1st 11th 10th 11th 34th

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relentless attitudes toward doing everything that they can do to be prepared when called upon. This fall they were called upon and nailed it with flying colors.”

Redshirting the season was junior transfer Stephanie Aldea and incoming freshmen Alison Kimble, Josie Crouch and Lydia Martinelli. All contributed to the team with strong work ethics at practice and encouragement from the sidelines to the girls competing in the races.

“The attitude of this group was reflective in how hard they prepared for the winter track season without having accountability this fall on the grass,” Cleary said. “It is very hard to come in brand new to a program and not have the pressure to compete. I am very impressed with how badly they want to be big factors on this team.

This fall they had great attitudes and set themselves up for great careers.”

Lydia and Sarah Martinelli

[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 53

Meet-by-Meet Breakdown [ an in-depth look at 2010 ]

Dalzot (37th) and Sarah Martinelli (38th) earned the remaining team points to beat out Wisconsin-Osh Kosh and Indiana State.

Allison Pettit and Jordan Hamric also placed in the top 50 at the event.

Penn State National Invitational, Oct. 16: State College, Pa.

Facing the toughest field of the early part of the season, the Mountaineers came away with a sixth-place finish with 205 points in a field that included No. 1 Villanova (26), No. 8 Syracuse (57), Penn State (137) and Miami of Ohio (155).

Redshirt sophomore Sarah-Anne Brault paced the team with an 11th-place finish with a 6K time of 21:05, while Kaitlyn Gillespie arrived in 17th place in 21:13. In her first race of the season, redshirt junior Ahna Lewis had a solid mark coming in 36th place (21:44), with Maria Dalzot and Hallie Portner also picking up team points.

Sarah Martinelli, Aubrey Moskal, Jordan Hamric, Chelsea Jarvis and Jamie Cokeley also participated in the race.

WVU Invitational, Sept. 4: Morgantown, W.Va.

Competing against West Virginia Wesleyan at the WVU Agronomy Farm, Mountaineer runners swept the top eight spots of the race to open the 2010 season on a successful note.

Redshirt sophomore Hallie Portner arrived first with a 4K time of 15:02 and was followed by redshirt sophomore Aubrey Moskal in 15:20. Teammates Jordan Hamric, Chelsea Jarvis, Allison Pettit and Jamie Cokeley rounded out the top placements for the Mountaineers before the WV Wesleyan runners crossed the finish line.

Freshmen Lydia Martinelli and Alison Kimble ran unattached at the event before redshirting the 2010 season.

BIG EAST Preview, Sept. 11: Syracuse, N.Y.

In her Mountaineer debut, sophomore Kaitlyn Gillespie stole the show with a first-place finish to lead No. 15 WVU to a thirdplace mark at the event with 85 points. Gillespie ran the 5.1K race in 18:28 to pace the team.

Senior Maria Dalzot also had a strong run at the event as she crossed the finish line in 16th place in 19:46, followed by redshirt sophomore Hallie Portner in 23rd place. Redshirt sophomores Aubrey Moskal and Sarah-Anne Brault rounded out the top five finishers for the team as they arrived in 25th and 26th place, respectively. Also competing were Allison Pettit, Chelsea Jarvis, Jamie Cokeley, Stephanie Caruso and Jordan Hamric, who all placed in the top 40.

No. 9 Syracuse took first place at the event with 31 points, while Connecticut placed second with 47 points.

Notre Dame Invitational, Oct. 1: South Bend, Ind.

Competing in the Blue Race of the Notre Dame Invitational, sophomore Kaitlyn Gillespie once again led the team with a firstplace overall mark (17:24) as the Mountaineers came in second place at the event with 104 points behind Oakland’s 91.

In close pursuit, Sarah-Anne Brault arrived second overall in the race in 17:30 before teammates Hallie Portner (26th), Maria

54 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]

BIG EAST Championships, Oct. 30: Syracuse, N.Y.

Facing competition from the most difficult conference in the nation, the Mountaineers fared well at the BIG EAST Championships as they came in fifth place with 149 points behind No. 1 Villanova (26), No. 5 Georgetown (42), No. 8 Syracuse (79) and No. 13 Providence (90).

Sophomore Kaitlyn Gillespie led the team by coming in 10th place overall with a 6K time of 21:17 to earn all-BIG EAST honors and was followed by 22nd-place Sarah-Anne Brault in 21:46. Ahna Lewis (33rd), Maria Dalzot (38th) and Sarah Martinelli (46th) scored the remaining points.

Hallie Portner, Aubrey Moskal, Jordan Hamric and Chelsea Jarvis also competed.

NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals, Nov. 13: State College, Pa.

Competing in the most difficult NCAA cross country regional, the Mountaineers once again put on a strong performance with another fifth-place mark (155 points) at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional.

Kaitlyn Gillespie and Sarah-Anne Brault received all-MidAtlantic region honors with their respective 11th- and 16th-place finishes, while Ahna Lewis (25th), Aubrey Moskal (50th) and Maria Dalzot (51st) also had team point contributions. With their placements, Gillespie and Brault qualified to compete at the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. Sarah Martinelli and Hallie Portner also showed well for the Mountaineers.

No. 1 Villanova (29), No. 5 Georgetown (40), No. 23 Penn State (91) and No. 25 Princeton (102) placed ahead of WVU at the event.

NCAA Championships, Nov. 23: Terre Haute, Ind.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Gillespie and redshirt sophomore SarahAnne Brault represented the Mountaineer program well as they claimed Top-75 finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.

Gillespie was named an All-American following her top-40 mark as she crossed the 6K finish line in 34th place overall with a time of 20:46 to cap her first year as a Mountaineer as one of the nation’s top runners.

Brault also ended a great cross country season with a 71stplace finish at the event as she arrived 22 seconds behind Gillespie in 21:08.

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[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 55

Record Book [ honors ]

All-Americans Kaitlyn Gillespie Marie-Louise Asselin Keri Bland Clara Grandt Megan Metcalfe Charity Wachera

Atlantic 10 Team Champions 1994

CONFERENCE HONORS

NCAA HONORS 2010 2007, 2008, 2009 2007, 2008, 2009 2009 2002, 2004 1997

Division I District II Coaching Staff of the Year Martin Pushkin/ 1995, 1997, 2000 Sean Cleary Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year Sean Cleary 2004, 2007, 2008 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Team Champions 2004, 2008 NCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Champion Megan Metcalfe

2002

NCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region Kaitlyn Gillespie 2010 Sarah-Anne Brault 2010 Ahna Lewis 2008 Kate Harrison 2008, 2009 Kaylyn Christopher 2008, 2009 Clara Grandt 2007, 2008, 2009 Marie-Louise Asselin 2006, 2007,

2008, 2009 Keri Bland 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Susan Davis 2004, 2005 Jennifer Davis 2004 Tara Struyk 2002, 2003, 2004 Megan Metcalfe 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 Merissa Sexsmith 1999, 2000 Rebecca Stallwood 1999, 2000 Karin Lockhart 1998, 2000 Kate Vermeulen 1998 Charity Wachera 1998 Nancy Knapp 1998 Francine Darroch 1998

BIG EAST Team Champions 2007

NCAA Woman of the Year Rebecca Stallwood

BIG EAST Women’s Cross Country Individual Champion Marie-Louise Asselin

Atlantic 10 Freshman of the Year Charity Wachera Heather Bury

2008

All-Atlantic 10 Charity Wachera Carisa Brown Heather Bury Kerryn Davidson Vicki Stum Erin O’Reilly Vicki Stum

BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete of the Year Charity Wachera 1997 All-BIG EAST Kaitlyn Gillespie 2010 Marie-Louise Asselin 2007, 2008, 2009 Keri Bland 2007, 2008, 2009 Clara Grandt 2007, 2008, 2009 Susan Davis 2005 Tara Struyk 2002, 2003 Megan Metcalfe 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 Rebecca Stallwood 1999, 2000 Merissa Sexsmith 1999 Charity Wachera 1997

Susan Davis

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1994 1993

2000

2010 2010 2005 2002, 2003 2003 1999 1999 1998 1995, 1997 1990 2001

1991

BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Megan Metcalfe

NCAA Team Qualifiers 1997, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 Individual NCAA Qualifiers Kaitlyn Gillespie Sarah-Anne Brault Susan Davis Megan Metcalfe Tara Struyk Merissa Sexsmith Rebecca Stallwood Kate Vermeulen Charity Wachera Vicki Stum

Atlantic 10 Individual Champions Vicki Stum

1994 1994 1993, 1994 1992, 1993, 1994 1990, 1991 1991 1990

Record Book [ all-americans ]

MEGAN METCALFE 2002, 2004

Megan Metcalfe, a nine-time AllAmerican, is the most prolific distance runner in Mountaineer women’s track & field history and the first Mountaineer to achieve two All-America honors in cross country. The Edmonton, Alberta, native earned her first All-America accolade as a member of the 2001 distance medley relay team, which finished in eighth place. Metcalfe’s second All-America award, and first individual, came with a third-place finish in the 3,000-meter race at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships in a WVU record time of 9:09.95. Also an outstanding cross country runner, Metcalfe was named the 2000 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year. Her third All-America honor came with a ninth-place finish at the 2002 NCAA Cross Country Championships, making her just the second female cross country AllAmerican in school history and only the fourth Mountaineer to earn All-America honors in two sports. She earned her fourth and fifth All-America accolades in 2003 by finishing fourth in the 3,000-meters at the indoor championships and was a part of the school record setting distance medley relay team in that same meet. Her sixth and seventh awards came in March, 2004, when she was fifth in the 3,000-meters and again was a member of the DMR team. Metcalfe’s eighth and schoolrecord setting All-America honor came at the 2004 NCAA Cross Country Championships where she recorded a 16th place overall finish. Metcalfe capped off her brilliant career with a ninth All-America honor and a national championship when she won the 5,000-meters at the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

She also competed at the World Cross Country Championships twice during her tenure at WVU and competed at the World University Games in Turkey. In 2008, Metcalfe reached the top, as she ran in the 5,000-meter race for Canada in the Beijing Olympics.

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Chrissie Abbott

CHARITY WACHERA 1998

Charity Wachera was one of WVU’s best distance runners during her career. The Nairobi, Kenya, native earned All-America honors in the 10,000 meters with a sixth-place finish (34:29.64) at the 1998 NCAA outdoor championship. She also set two school records during her tenure. She ran a 16:27.27 in the 5,000 meters and a 34:24.00 in the 10,000 meters during the 1998 outdoor track season. Her mark in the 10,000m still stands today, while her mark in the 5,000 meter was broken by fellow All-American Rebecca Stallwood in 2001. In 1997, Wachera finished 11th with a time of 17:00 to become WVU’s first female cross country All-American.

Charity Wachera

[ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 57

Record Book [ all-americans ]

MARIE-LOUISE ASSELIN 2007, 2008, 2009

Marie-Louise Asselin capped off her cross country career as one of the most decorated runners in WVU history. The Sarnia, Ontario, native owns seven All-America medals, including three in cross county and four in track. Asselin’s last cross country season, 2009, was one for the record books as she became one of only two WVU runners to earn three All-America honors in the sport. Along with teammate Keri Bland, Asselin achieved the honor as she finished in 31st place (20:43) at the 2009 NCAA Cross Country Championship. The Mountaineers went on to finish sixth, marking the third-consecutive year that WVU finished in the top 10 at the national championships. Asselin also earned all-region honors for the fourth time in her career and all BIG EAST honors for the third time. Her success continued into the track season as she posted a second-place finish in the 5,000-meter race at the NCAA Indoor Championships (15:50.53) and a second-place finish in the 5,000 meter at the NCAA Outdoor Championships (15:53.93). In 2008, she led WVU to its most successful season in school history, as the Mountaineers took a historic fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championship, first at the NCAA all-Mid-Atlantic Regionals and second at the BIG EAST Championship.

Asselin became the first BIG EAST Women’s Cross Country Individual Champion in 2008, as she took the top spot with a time of 20:10. She then placed 17th at the NCAA Championship race with a time of 20:27 to earn her second consecutive All-American honor. She earned her first AllAmerican title in 2007 as the Mountaineers captured their first BIG EAST Championship and finished ninth in the country. Even though she was

58 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]

just a sophomore at the time, Asselin became WVU’s third All-American in the sport when she finished 17th (14th in the team standings) with a time of 20:39 at the 2007 NCAA Championship. It was a fitting ending to an outstanding season that saw her post the team’s highest finish in the final five meets. Asselin showed glimpses of her abilities just weeks earlier at the BIG EAST Championship where she took second and at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional race, where she placed third in leading her team to an overall second-place finish. Asselin, an all-BIG EAST and all-Mid-Atlantic region selection, was joined by Bland as an All-American, marking the first time in program history that two teammates earned the honor in the same season. In the 2008 indoor season, Asselin went on to place seventh in the 3,000-meter to earn All-America honors and was on the All-America distance medley relay team that took fourth at nationals.

Record Book [ all-americans ]

KERI BLAND 2007, 2008, 2009 Keri Bland, a seven-time All-American, continued to leave her name in the WVU record books as she aided the Mountaineers to a sixthplace finish at the 2009 NCAA Cross Country Championships, marking the third-straight year WVU finished in the nation’s top 10. Bland, along with teammate Marie-Louise Asselin, became the only Mountaineers in school history to earn All-America honors for three seasons in cross county, as she finished 34th (20:45). The Fairview, W.Va., native earned two All-America honors in the 2009 indoor track season, as she placed eighth in the mile and was a part of the distance medley relay team. Bland continued to dominate in the outdoor season, as she earned her fourth honor of the year by virtue of finishing as one of the top U.S. citizens in the 1,500-meter race, marking the second time she earned honors in all three seasons (cross county, indoor track and outdoor track). Bland was an essential part of the Mountaineers team in 2008, when she led WVU to its most successful season in school history as the squad placed fourth at the NCAA Championship, first at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals and second at the BIG EAST Championship. She was the first Mountaineer to finish at the NCAA Championship, where she finished 14th with a time of 20:20. In 2007, Bland and Asselin helped guide the Mountaineers to their first conference title and the highest finish at nationals in school history (ninth) in 2007. At nationals, Bland was the second Mountaineer to cross the line in 23rd at 20:58. Bland, along with Asselin, was named a first team All-American, marking the first time WVU’s cross country program had multiple All-Americans in the same year. Bland earned all-BIG EAST and all-Mid-Atlantic region accolades during the season after finishing fourth and seventh, respectively, in those races. In the 2008 indoor track season, Bland was a part of the All-America distance medley team that set a school record and placed fourth in the country. She finished the 2008 outdoor season by earning All-America honors in the 1,500-meters to become the first female in WVU history to earn All-America honors in three sports in the same year.

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Record Book [ all-americans ]

KAITLYN GILLESPIE 2010

In her first season as a Mountaineer after one year at Cedarville University in Ohio, Kaitlyn Gillespie quickly made the successful jump to Division I competition by earning All-America, all-region and all-conference accolades. The Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, native became an All-American following her 34th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, where she finished the 6k course with an impressive time of 20:46. To earn all-Mid-Atlantic region and all-BIG EAST honors, Gillespie came in 10th place at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional and the BIG EAST Championships, which are widely regarded as the most difficult regional and conference events in the nation. Before a 17th-place finish at the Penn State National, she had two first-place finishes at the BIG EAST Preview and Notre Dame Invitational. She enters the 2011 season with two more years of collegiate eligibility remaining, and will look to build upon the strong foundation placed in her first season at WVU.

CLARA GRANDT 2009

Clara Grandt saved the best for last as she posted the finest season of her career and earned her first All-America honor in cross country. The West Union, W.Va., native led the team to a sixthplace finish at the 2009 NCAA Championship, the first Mountaineer to cross the line in 13th place overall. Grandt also earned all-region and all-BIG EAST honors and was named BIG EAST Cross Country Athlete of the Week on Sept. 24, for her efforts in the Midwest Open. There she crossed the line in 17:00.1, 19 seconds before Louisville’s Tarah McKay (17:19.4), for the fastest course time in over 20 years. In the track season, Grandt earned her second honor of the year by virtue of finishing as one of the top U.S. citizens in the 5,000-meter race at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships. She then capped off her final season as a Mountaineer with a fourth-place showing in the 10,000-meter race at the outdoor championships, giving her four total All-America honors. Grandt became WVU’s 24th track and field All-American as she earned the honors with a fourth-place showing in the 10,000-meter finals at the NCAA Championship in 2009. Grandt started off the race behind the lead pack before finding her stride around the 6,000-meter mark. The junior closed the gap, and finished with a time of 33:45.16.

Kaitlyn Gillespie

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Dr. James P. Clements [ president ]

WVU’s First Family, standing from left: Jim, Beth and Tyler Clements.

In rockers, from left: twins Hannah and Maggie. Seated on lawn: Grace.

James P. Clements has said that no university in the country means more to its state than West Virginia University means to West Virginia. Since becoming WVU’s 23rd president on June 30, 2009, Dr. Clements has focused on expanding the University’s role as a 21st century land-grant institution.

With a Strategic Framework for the Future now in place, WVU is committed to excelling in five key areas: academic excellence, research and innovation, diversity, global engagement, and enhancing the well-being and quality of life of our citizens.

Dr. Clements has announced several initiatives in support of these strategic planning goals, including: adding 100 new faculty members to decrease the student-faculty ratio and support core and niche academic and research curriculums; building a new student health facility to increase wellness efforts; dedicating capital funds to expand outdoor recreational space for students; and increasing research to strengthen the University’s position as an economic engine as well as a leader in fields such as energy, biometrics, and health sciences.

Additional priorities are to continue offering world-class health care and – through WVU’s Top-10 nationally ranked Rural Health Program – remain committed to increasing state outreach in the health sciences. To that end, WVU recently announced plans to establish a WVU School for Public Health to train the next generation of public health professionals, conduct high-quality population health

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research, and help the state confront preventable health threats that increase health care costs and shorten lives.

Other goals include finding more efficient and effective ways to use technology to drive progress, increasing the diversity of WVU’s learning community and developing an even broader global focus in preparing students for new international opportunities.

Other initiatives focus on increasing student retention, increasing WVU’s doctoral program enrollment, enhancing leadership development and increasing operating funds.

This momentum has carried over to record gains in enrollment, research, and private giving. Student enrollment across all campuses reached more than 32,000; research contract and grant awards for the past two years averaged an all-time high of $176 million; and annual private giving to WVU reached an all-time high of nearly $100 million this past year.

The University was also recognized as among the six percent of institutions in the country that the Carnegie Foundation classifies as highly engaged in service, and as one of the four best flagship universities in the country for access by the Education Trust.

In addition to overseeing WVU and its divisional campuses, Dr. Clements chairs the boards of the WVU Research Corporation, the West Virginia United Health System, and the WVU Hospitals. In total, WVU and its affiliates represent a $2.3 billion enterprise and employ more than 18,000 people.

Dr. Clements also serves as an ex-officio member of the WVU Foundation and WVU Alumni Association boards, and is active with national higher education organizations such as the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities and the American Council on Education.

Regionally, he is a board member of the National Energy Technology Laboratory Regional University Alliance. He is co-chair of the Economic Development Team of the Power of 32, a visioning initiative across 32 counties in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. He also co-chaired the WV Higher Education Policy Commission’s Diversity Initiative Council and currently co-chairs the WV Higher Education Policy Commission’s College Completion Task Force, as well as serves on the board of the West Virginia Business Roundtable.

On a national level, he was nominated and selected to participate in the 81st Joint Civilian Orientation Conference through the U.S. Department of Defense, and invited by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to join a select 15-member Innovation Advisory Board that will guide a study of U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation.

Before joining the Mountaineer family, Dr. Clements served as provost and vice president at Towson University, the second-largest public university in Maryland. Under his leadership, Towson developed academic and student support programs that led to impressive increases in enrollment as well as retention and graduation rates. Towson’s externally-funded research increased by 36 percent during Dr. Clements’ tenure as provost.

Prior to becoming provost, he served as Towson University’s vice president for economic and community outreach and as the Robert W. Deutsch Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. He was a four-time recipient of Towson’s Faculty Member of the Year Award given by students at the University.

Dr. Clements has an academic background in computer science. He earned a B.S. in computer science and an M.S. and Ph.D. in operations analysis from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), as well as an M.S. in computer science from Johns Hopkins University. The fourth edition of his project management textbook was published in four languages and used in multiple countries; the fifth edition was recently released. At WVU, Dr. Clements is a tenured professor in the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources’ Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

In October 2009, he was named UMBC’s Alumnus of the Year in the Engineering and Information Technology category.

Jim is married to Beth Clements, and they have four children – Tyler, twin daughters Hannah and Maggie, and Grace.

Oliver Luck

[ director of athletics ]

Former Mountaineer quarterback Oliver Luck is West Virginia’s 11th Director of Athletics.

Successful at each of his previous career stops, Oliver Luck looks to continue that streak at West Virginia University. A former Mountaineer quarterback, Luck, appointed the University’s 11th Director of Athletics by President James P. Clements on June 9, 2010, has already made strides in just one year in enhancing WVU’s role as a player in the collegiate world.

“Oliver Luck is someone who has succeeded at the highest levels at everything he has done – from his college and professional football playing days to his academic pursuits and his professional business career,” said Clements. “He is the clear choice to carry forward what has truly been a golden era in athletics.”

“It’s an incredible honor for me to be appointed as athletic director at my alma mater,” said Luck. “I care deeply about this school. I’ve had an opportunity to serve on the Board of Governors the last couple of years, and it’s given me a tremendous viewpoint of how important intercollegiate athletics is at a land-grant institution like WVU.

“WVU is truly one of the outstanding land-grant universities in the country, and I am so pleased to be a part of its momentum and growth. This is a tremendous opportunity - a chance to return to a University and a state that I love at a dynamic and strategic time in its history.”

In his first year, Luck has hired four head coaches while maintaining the superior level of success WVU has recently enjoyed. In addition

to new hires, Luck has overseen the progress of major capital projects, such as the WVU basketball practice facility, and fostered an atmosphere for achievement and triumph, in the classroom and on the field.

Luck’s athletic and professional career has been the epitome of success, first as a record-setting quarterback for the Mountaineers from 1978-81, then as a professional quarterback for the National Football League’s Houston Oilers, and later as a professional sports executive.

Luck’s journey to the big chair at WVU began in his native Cleveland, where in 1977 he was named the Cleveland Touchdown Club Player of the Year at St. Ignatius High. Luck chose WVU over Ivy League schools Harvard and Yale, embarking upon a career that saw him establish school records for touchdown passes and completions during his playing days, while also leading the Mountaineers to a 26-6 upset victory over Florida in the 1981 Peach Bowl.

His best season came as a senior in 1981 when he completed 216 of 394 passes for 2,448 yards and 16 touchdowns. He passed for a career-high 360 yards in a 27-24 loss to Syracuse at the Carrier Dome in the final regular-season game of his career.

Luck ended his college career with 5,765 yards and 43 touchdown passes, both figures still ranking among the best in school history.

Luck was a two-time team MVP in 1980 and 1981, and also received the Louis D. Meisel Award for the WVU football student-athlete

coaches with the highest grade point average. The runners two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic preview All-American was the recipient of Today’s review Top Five, presented for scholastics records by the NCAA and was selected by the National Football Foundation as one of wvu its 10 scholar-athletes to make a keynote media speech at its annual banquet in 1982.

Selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the Houston Oilers (44th overall pick), Luck spent four years with the Oilers from 1982-86. His most extended action came in 1983 when he started six games and finished the season completing 124-of-217 passes for 1,375 yards and eight touchdowns.

After retiring from football, Luck became vice president of business development for the NFL and later was appointed general manager of the Frankfurt Galaxy of the newly created World League of American Football.

He spent the ’95 season as general manager of the Rhein Fire before being named President and CEO of NFL Europe in 1996. Luck totaled more than 10 years with the NFL, before becoming chief executive officer of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority in 2001.

In that role, Luck oversaw the development and management of a $1 billion professional sports and entertainment complex for the city of Houston that included Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, Reliant Stadium, home of the Houston Texans, the Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets, Comets and Aeros and the Livestock Show and Rodeo.

In 2005, Luck was appointed as the first president of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamos, helping that organization to a pair of MLS Cup titles in his first two years at the helm. Luck was in the midst of securing the funding for an $80 million soccer complex to house the Dynamos when the call came to return to his alma mater.

Prior to his current position at WVU, Luck was appointed by Gov. Joe Manchin in 2008 to a four-year term on the West Virginia University Board of Governors, a spot he relinquished to become director of athletics.

The Rhodes Scholar finalist graduated Phi Betta Kappa from WVU in 1982. He also earned a law degree from Texas, graduating cum laude in 1987. In 1997, Luck was inducted into the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2008, he was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame.

He is married to the former Kathy Wilson.

They have two sons and two daughters: Andrew, an All-American quarterback and a Heisman Trophy contender at Stanford; Mary Ellen, a sophomore volleyball player at Stanford; Emily and Addison.

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Senior Staff

[ athletic department personnel ] Keli Cunningham

Terri Howes

Associate Athletic Director Compliance & Governance

Associate Athletic Director Sports Development, SWA

Michael Szul

Michael Fragale

Brad Howe

Associate Athletic Director Business Operations

Assistant Athletic Director Communications

Assistant Athletic Director Marketing & Sales

Mike Parsons

Deputy Director of Athletics

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Head Coaches

[ wvu fields 17 varsity programs ] Jason Butts

Gymnastics

Dana Holgorsen

Football

Jill Kramer

Volleyball

Craig Turnbull

Wrestling

Mike Carey

Women’s Basketball

Bob Huggins

Men’s Basketball

Marlon LeBlanc

Men’s Soccer

Greg Van Zant

Baseball

Sean Cleary

Cross Country Track & Field

Nikki Izzo-Brown

Women’s Soccer

Vic Riggs

Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving

Jon Hammond

coaches runners preview review records wvu media

Rifle

Jimmy King

Rowing

Tina Samara

Tennis

WVU had its fourth straight Top 50 finish in the Director’s Cup in 2010-11 [ 2011 CROSS COUNTRY ] 65

Athletic Facilities

[ train and compete like a champion ]

Milan Puskar Stadium at Mountaineer Field

Caperton Indoor Facility

Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium

Hawley Field

Cary Gym

WVU Wrestling Pavilion

Mountaineer Track

WVU Rifle Range

WVU Boathouse

WVU Coliseum

Mountaineer Tennis Courts

WVU Natatorium

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Media Information

[ when covering the mountaineers ] Media Services

The West Virginia University sports communications office will be available throughout the entire 2011 cross country season to accommodate any media requests. Following are some guidelines that should make it easy for media members to cover the West Virginia cross country team. Any additional questions should be directed to cross country contact Daniel Whitehead.

Credentials

Photographers and media members who wish to cover a meet should contact cross country contact Daniel Whitehead, via email (daniel.whitehead@mail.wvu. edu) or phone (304-293-2821), at least 24 hours in advance.

During the Week

Any member of the media wishing to interview a runner or member of the coaching staff during the week should contact West Virginia cross country contact Daniel Whitehead, via email (daniel.whitehead@ mail.wvu.edu) or phone (304-293-2821), at least 24 hours in advance.

Cell phone numbers will not be made available and all WVU student-athletes have been instructed to not conduct interviews without prior approval of the sports communications staff.

Directions to the WVU Agronomy Farm From I-68 Take the Pierpont Road (mile marker 7) exit. From there, go straight through the spotlight of the Glenmark Center intersection. Make the next right on to Old Cheat Road near the bottom of the hill. After about half a mile, Agronomy Farm Road will be on the left.

From I-79 Take Route 705 to the Mileground. Follow the Mileground to where it meets North 19 and turn right at the light. Old Cheat Road will be an immediate left. After about half a mile, Agronomy Farm Road will be on the left.

Receiving Information

Media members may receive cross country press releases, notes and more via email. To receive such press releases, meet recaps and more, simply email your requests to daniel.whitehead@mail.wvu.edu.

MSNsportsNET.com

All news releases are posted on MSNsportsNET.com Media can access the latest happenings of Mountaineer cross country by checking in regularly to MSNsportsNET.com’s home page or the cross country page.

Extensive post-meet coverage also can be found on MSNsportsNET.com, including meet recaps, photo galleries and more.

Looking for information on any Mountaineer student-athlete or coach? It’s all on MSNsportsNET.com. Runner and coaching staff bios are available at the click of a finer.

Updated daily, MSNsportsNET.com also provides ticket information, radio and television listings, viewer surveys, trivia contests, links to other great sports sites, the BIG EAST and information of West Virginia’s 16 other varsity sports. Log on by typing in www.MSNsportsNET.com to get the latest Mountaineers news.

coaches players preview opponents review records wvu media

BIG EAST Media Services

For the latest news about the BIG EAST Conference, visit the league’s website at www.bigeast.org. The site contains information on all BIG EAST schools, including individual pages for every school and every sport. The following information is updated daily: BIG EAST standings, statistics for conference games and all games, weekly award winners, conference notebooks and team-by-team statistics.

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Sports Communications [ publicizing the mountaineers ]

Sports Information

The West Virginia University sports communication office is located in the WVU Coliseum near the Red Gate. The main sports communications office is Room 107 with additional offices upstairs in Room 214C.

Cross Country Contact Daniel Whitehead Graduate Assistant e-mail: daniel.whitehead@mail.wvu.edu

Mailing Address

Sports Communications Office

West Virginia University

P.O. Box 0877

Morgantown, WV 26507-0877

WVU Sports Communications Staff Michael Fragale Assistant Athletic Director, Communications Bryan Messerly Sports Information Director Joe Swan Sports Publications Director John Antonik Director of New Media Mike Montoro Director of Football Communications Katie Kane Associate Sports Information Director Tim Goodenow Assistant Publications Director Shannon McNamara Assistant Sports Information Director Lisa Ammons Business Manager Cheryl Maust Program Assistant Amy Prunty Program Assistant Julie Brown Graduate Assistant Grant Dovey Graduate Assistant Brian Kuppelweiser Graduate Assistant Daniel Whitehead Graduate Assistant

Overnight Shipping Address

Sports Communications Office

West Virginia University

107 Coliseum

Monongahela Blvd.

Morgantown, WV 26505 Phone Information

Office: 304-293-2821

Fax: 304-293-4105

Press Box: 304-293-6480

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