NYC Gotham Cup Meet Report

There were plenty of Villanova athletes participating in Friday's NYC Gotham Cup at the Armory. Eighteen Big East championship meet qualifiers were achieved. The video of the men's DMR (O'Sullivan, Serfoss, FitzSimons, and Tully) is shown above. Here are the Villanova results:

MEN

400 meters
33.  Nicoy Hines      51.29
36.  Cory Serfoss     51.43
51.  Carlton Bowers   52.20
66.  Matthew Whalen   52.94
71.  David Stillings  53.46

1000 meters
 8.  Sam Ellison       2:27.47   BE
15.  Dusty Solis       2:31.86
21.  Phil O'Connell    2:33.73

Mile
 2.  Chris O'Sullivan     4:15.02   BE
 4.  Danny Harris         4:21.03
 7.  Richie Bohny         4:22.56
12.  Charles Bates        4:23.77
13.  Chris Pietrocarlo    4:23.84

DMR
1.  O'Sullivan, Serfoss, FitzSimons, Tully     10:13.58

High Jump
 6.  Matthew Sidney   6'7"   BE

Pole Vault
 5.  Chris Dougherty  14'9"   BE

Long Jump
 8.  Elbert Maxwell   22'3"   BE

Triple Jump
 6.  George Bodziock  43'5.75"

Shot Put
 8.  Frank Anuszewski   46'4.75"

Weight Throw
 3.  Frank Anuszewski   54'8.75"   BE
12.  Chris McLeod       45'10"

WOMEN

60 meters
 5.  Varonica Johnson   7.72  (7.70)   BE
13.  Qualitra Brown     8.06  (7.94)   
 5.  Shericka Ward      ----  (7.70)   BE

400 meters
 5.  Qualitra Brown           58.11   BE
13.  Fafavie Lumax            59.90
26.  Katherine Petruzellis  1:02.05

800 meters
 3.  Faith Dismuke    2:15.04   BE
 6.  Leanne Tucker    2:16.61   BE
 7.  Mary Bohi        2:17.35

1000 meters
 1.  Marina Muncan        2:45.06  (VU alum)
 5.  Ariann Neutts        2:48.32   BE
 6.  Emily Lipari         2:49.67   BE
 7.  Stephanie Schappert  2:51.59   BE
13.  Amanda Borroughs     3:03.28

Mile
 2.  Courtney Chapman     5:02.64
 4.  Shannon Browne       5:10.12

3000 meters
 3.  Meghan Venables     10:17.79
 7.  Meghan Smith        10:37.56

60 meter hurdles
 1.  Shericka Ward          8.50 (8:43)   BE
 8.  Emerald Walden         8.86 (8.82)   BE
27.  Katherine Petruzellis  ---- (9.49)

4 x 400 meters
13.  Bohi, Dismuke, Lumax, Brown    4:03.70

4 x 800 meters
 1.  Bohi, Borroughs, Chapman, Ryan    8:57.52

Pole Vault
 1.  Alex Wasik             12'3.5"    BE
 2.  Kathleen McPhillips    11'9.75"   BE
 4.  Kimberly Logodya       11'3.75"
 5.  Melissa Meggiolaro     11'3.75"
 7.  Erica Litvak           10'10"

Long Jump
 4.  Samantha Yeats     17'5.25"
 5.  Alexandria Reo     17'3.5"

Triple Jump
 2.  Samantha Francis    39'4"    BE
 9.  Marie Minasi        36'4.75"
 6.  Vicotria Profit     35'2"

Shot Put
13.  Katherine Petruzellis   31'1.25"

Marino 51st and Rhines 64th at Olympic Marathon Trials

Amanda Marino made her marathon debut this morning in Houston at the USA Olympic Marathon Trials. The youngest competitor in the race, she came home 51st of 152 total finishers, running 2:41:22 (15:44 behind the race winner Shalane Flanagan). Jen Rhines came back off her DNF at the New York City Marathon to finish 64th, 2:13 behind Marino, in 2:43:35 (+17:57). The top four finishers in the race (Shalane Flanagan, Desi Davila, Kara Goucher & Amy Hastings) all broke the USA Olympic Trials record.


1 Shalane Flanagan 30 Oregon TC Elite 2:25:38
2 Desiree Davila 28 Hansons-Brooks Distance Project 2:25:55 +0:17
3 Kara Goucher 33 Oregon TC Elite 2:26:06 +0:28
4 Amy Hastings 27 unattached 2:27:17 +1:39
5 Janet Cherobon-Bawcom 33 Atlanta Track Club 2:29:45 +4:07
6 Deena Kastor 38 unattached 2:30:40 +5:02
7 Clara Grandt 24 RIADHA 2:30:46 +5:08
8 Alissa McKaig 25 ZAP Fitness Reebok 2:31:56 +6:18
9 Dot McMahan 35 Hansons-Brooks Distance Project 2:32:16 +6:38
10 Magdalena Lewy Boulet 38 unattached 2:33:42 +8:04
11 Katie McGregor 34 Team USA Minnesota 2:34:01 +8:23
12 Wendy Thomas 32 Boulder Running Company/adidas 2:34:25 +8:47
13 Melissa White 30 Hansons-Brooks Distance Project 2:34:33 +8:55
14 Alisha Williams 29 Boulder Running Company/adidas 2:35:09 +9:31
15 Heidi Westover 30 unattached 2:35:45 +10:07
16 Clara Peterson 27 unattached 2:35:50 +10:12
17 Rebecca Donaghue 35 New Balance Boston 2:35:57 +10:19
18 Katherine Newberry 33 New York Athletic Club (NYAC) 2:36:21 +10:43
19 Brooke Wells 26 Impala Racing Team 2:36:24 +10:46
20 Loretta Kilmer 28 RIADHA 2:36:41 +11:03
21 Jeannette Faber 29 Boston Athletic Association 2:36:50 +11:12
22 Michelle Frey 29 unattached 2:37:03 +11:25
23 Erin Nehus 30 unattached 2:37:06 +11:28
24 Sheri Piers 40 Dirigo R.C. 2:37:09 +11:31
25 Kelly Calway 27 U.S. Army 2:37:10 +11:32
26 Camille Herron 30 unattached 2:37:14 +11:36
27 Esther Erb 25 ZAP Fitness Reebok 2:37:21 +11:43
28 Linda Somers Smith 50 Asics Aggie Running Club 2:37:36 +11:58
29 Ariana Hilborn 31 unattached 2:37:37 +11:59
30 Emily Harrison 25 McMillan Elite 2:37:45 +12:07
31 Rachel Booth 31 New Balance Silicon Valley 2:37:59 +12:21
32 Caroline LeFrak 28 New York Athletic Club (NYAC) 2:38:14 +12:36
33 Zoila Gomez 32 unattached 2:38:37 +12:59
34 Caroline White 26 U.S. Air Force 2:38:43 +13:05
35 Colleen De Reuck 47 unattached 2:38:52 +13:14
36 Devon Crosby-Helms 29 unattached 2:38:55 +13:17
37 Nicole Camp 26 Second Sole 2:39:10 +13:32
38 Kathleen Castles 40 unattached 2:39:19 +13:41
39 Lauren Philbrook 24 unattached 2:39:47 +14:09
40 Emily Potter 32 U.S. Army 2:39:55 +14:17
41 Kara Storage 30 RUNOHIO Racing Team 2:39:59 +14:21
42 Tara Storage 30 RUNOHIO Racing Team 2:40:00 +14:22
43 Michele Suszek 29 unattached 2:40:33 +14:55
44 Alexandra Blake 28 unattached 2:40:36 +14:58
45 Allison Macsas 27 Adidas/TeamRogue Elite 2:40:47 +15:09
46 Laurie Knowles 34 Atlanta Track Club 2:40:49 +15:11
47 Jennifer Houck 27 unattached 2:40:51 +15:13
48 Laura Farley 27 unattached 2:41:05 +15:27
49 Meagan Nedlo 29 unattached 2:41:06 +15:28
50 Amanda Rice 27 U.S. Navy 2:41:06 +15:28
51 Amanda Marino 22 unattached 2:41:22 +15:44
52 Sopagna Eap 30 unattached 2:41:24 +15:46
53 Kasie Enman 32 Boston Athletic Association 2:41:25 +15:47
54 Heather Cappello 31 Boston Athletic Association 2:42:07 +16:29
55 Leah Thorvilson 33 unattached 2:42:09 +16:31
56 Alvina Begay 31 unattached 2:42:20 +16:42
57 Jodie Robertson 27 ARE Racing Team 2:42:31 +16:53
58 Nicole Cueno 32 Foley & Mansfield Racing Team 2:42:33 +16:55
59 Megan Skeels 37 unattached 2:42:40 +17:02
60 Natasha LaBeaud 24 unattached 2:42:55 +17:17
61 Brianne Nelson 31 unattached 2:42:58 +17:20
62 Catherine Mullen 26 New Balance Silicon Valley 2:43:02 +17:24
63 Jenna Boren 34 TC Running Company 2:43:04 +17:26
64 Jennifer Rhines 37 unattached 2:43:35 +17:57
65 Tyler Stewart 33 unattached 2:44:04 +18:26
66 Caitlin Chrisman 26 Charlotte Running Club 2:44:04 +18:26
67 Adrian Chouinard 28 Boulder Running Company/adidas 2:44:06 +18:28
68 Julia Stamps 33 New York Athletic Club (NYAC) 2:44:07 +18:29
69 Nichole Porath 28 Run N Fun 2:44:12 +18:34
70 Jackie Pirtle-Hall 29 unattached 2:44:22 +18:44
71 Deanna Ardrey 29 unattached 2:44:27 +18:49
72 Ashley Carroll 28 Impala Racing Team 2:44:29 +18:51
73 Christa Iammarino 37 unattached 2:44:35 +18:57
74 Jackie Rzepecki 33 unattached 2:44:36 +18:58
75 Megan Lund-Lizotte 28 unattached 2:44:45 +19:07
76 Kristen Fryburg-Zaitz 31 unattached 2:44:49 +19:11
77 Erin Richard 26 Hansons-Brooks Distance Project 2:44:53 +19:15
78 Claudia Becque 35 New Balance Silicon Valley 2:45:00 +19:22
79 Madeline Kramer 24 Impala Racing Team 2:45:11 +19:33
80 Katherine Koski 38 Northwoods Minnesota-Wisconsin 2:45:27 +19:49
81 Shannon McHale 40 Pequof/Hitek Racing Team 2:45:36 +19:58
82 Danna Kelly 25 Runablaze Iowa 2:45:42 +20:04
83 Kristin Barry 38 Dirigo R.C. 2:45:43 +20:05
84 Michelle Meyer 24 Impala Racing Team 2:45:52 +20:14
85 Ann Marie Chappell 33 unattached 2:46:05 +20:27
86 Cheryl Smith 31 Nike Team Run LA 2:46:07 +20:29
87 Sara Petrick 25 The Running Center Running Club 2:46:10 +20:32
88 Erica Jesseman 22 unattached 2:46:11 +20:33
89 Jennifer Santa Maria 33 adidas/Movin Shoes 2:46:14 +20:36
90 Mary Coordt 42 Impala Racing Team 2:46:18 +20:40
91 Lisbet Sunshine 47 Impala Racing Team 2:46:20 +20:42
92 Heather McNiff 25 unattached 2:46:23 +20:45
93 Victoria Russell 39 unattached 2:46:28 +20:50
94 Lisa Thomas 36 Pacers/New Balance 2:46:42 +21:04
95 Laura Portis 24 unattached 2:46:47 +21:09
96 Lavenna Mullenbach 24 Hansons-Brooks Distance Project 2:46:49 +21:11
97 Rebecca Angeles 34 unattached 2:47:03 +21:25
98 Katie Blackett 34 unattached 2:47:09 +21:31
99 Midori Sperandeo 45 Impala Racing Team 2:47:14 +21:36
100 Danielle Quatrochi 35 unattached 2:47:21 +21:43
101 Anna Beck 27 unattached 2:47:26 +21:48
102 Megan Grindall 31 unattached 2:47:37 +21:59
103 Serena Kessler 39 unattached 2:47:44 +22:06
104 Jodie Conway 35 unattached 2:48:02 +22:24
105 Kaci Lickteig 25 unattached 2:48:05 +22:27
106 Rachel Niehuus 26 Impala Racing Team 2:48:13 +22:35
107 Sharon Thompson 32 unattached 2:48:15 +22:37
108 Christina Overbeck 25 Run Portland 2:48:25 +22:47
109 Jackie Dikos 32 unattached 2:48:29 +22:51
110 Lucinda Smith 30 adidas Raleigh Track Club 2:48:39 +23:01
111 Jennifer Modliszewski 31 unattached 2:48:51 +23:13
112 Kristen Carter 24 unattached 2:48:53 +23:15
113 Carol Jefferson 26 unattached 2:48:59 +23:21
114 Louise Knudson 26 Ragged Mountain Racing 2:49:00 +23:22
115 Jeanne Cooper 34 unattached 2:49:16 +23:38
116 Tamara Karrh 42 unattached 2:49:18 +23:40
117 Emily Shertzer 32 U.S. Air Force 2:49:24 +23:46
118 Jill Horst 33 Atlanta Track Club 2:49:33 +23:55
119 Samantha Howard 25 Downingtown Running Club 2:49:38 +24:00
120 Melissa Rittenhouse 35 unattached 2:49:40 +24:02
121 Rebecca Michael 28 unattached 2:50:10 +24:32
122 Sarah Graves 34 unattached 2:50:16 +24:38
123 Mattie Suver 24 unattached 2:50:23 +24:45
124 Kim Pawelek 37 unattached 2:50:39 +25:01
125 Raquel Stucky 36 unattached 2:51:08 +25:30
126 Wendy Terris 42 Team Red Lizard 2:51:56 +26:18
127 Megan Daly 33 Impala Racing Team 2:52:09 +26:31
128 Amanda Scott 24 unattached 2:52:17 +26:39
129 Bridget Easley 31 Team Nebraska Brooks 2:52:28 +26:50
130 Lindsay Nelson 26 Asics Aggie Running Club 2:52:55 +27:17
131 Hallie Janssen 36 Run Portland 2:53:10 +27:32
132 Erin O Mara 27 unattached 2:53:16 +27:38
133 Sarah Bashinski-Flament 36 RUNOHIO Racing Team 2:53:26 +27:48
134 Kate DeProsperis 32 Jenny Spangler Racing 2:53:29 +27:51
135 Kelly Brinkman 30 unattached 2:53:46 +28:08
136 Rachel Jaten 36 Spokane Swifts 2:53:46 +28:08
137 Robyn Friedman 38 Runablaze Iowa 2:54:54 +29:16
138 Lisa Baumert 24 unattached 2:55:00 +29:22
139 Gina Slaby 30 U.S. Navy 2:55:34 +29:56
140 Kim Dobson 27 unattached 2:56:37 +30:59
141 Donna Palisca 34 Greater Philadelphia TC 2:56:48 +31:10
142 Amy Hauswirth 42 unattached 2:58:26 +32:48
143 Meghan Arbogast 50 Corvallis Running Project 2:58:53 +33:15
144 Shannon Cody 42 West Valley Track Club 2:58:54 +33:16
145 Nicole Hagobian 36 Asics Aggie Running Club 2:59:17 +33:39
146 Sarah Lee 30 Impala Racing Team 3:00:08 +34:30
147 Liana Bernard 30 unattached 3:01:05 +35:27
148 Jessica Minty 27 New Balance Boston 3:02:14 +36:36
149 Mandy Yates 33 unattached 3:04:45 +39:07
150 Susan Loken 48 unattached 3:05:11 +39:33
151 Kelly Chin 31 unattached 3:05:45 +40:07
152 Jaymee Marty 44 Impala Racing Team 3:07:32 +41:54

Deja Vu: It's Coghlan versus O'Sullivan at the Millrose Games

Millrose Games director Ray Flynn, Villanova's Marcus O'Sullivan and Eamonn Coghlan

Eamonn Coghlan and Marcus O'Sullivan, among the legends of Villanova (and Irish) track, had some epic battles in the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games. They'll be competitors again next month in a different way: each is bringing in a top-notch distance medley relay (DMR) quartet to the Games. Coghlan has his University College Dublin (UCD) "dream team" and O'Sullivan will counter with his Villanova squad, hoping to repeat the success of last year's version of the DMR that won the Penn Relays Championship of America. Adding another layer to the Coghlan-O'Sullivan competition at Millrose is the fact that Coghlan's DCU squad has among its charges one Mark English -- the 800 meter phenom from Letterkenny AC. If the rumblings on the message boards are to be believed, while Marcus O'Sullivan was recruiting English mightily to come stateside to Villanova, Coghlan was urging the opposite: to stay in Ireland and join up with Coghlan's son John at UCD. At least for now, English has chosen to stay in Ireland and enroll at UCD. It's likely that English will be matched up against Villanova's Chris FitzSimons in the 800 meter third leg of the DMR. FitzSimons had an unlucky first year at Villanova (fighting illness and injury), but when healthy possesses great 800 meter ability and a devastating kick. Either way the DMR at Millrose should present high drama and a nice pre-Penn Relays test for the Villanova DMR team.

Here's a nice article from the folks at Armory Track on Coghlan's Irish DMR team:

Chairman Of The Boards To Return To Millrose

Frank O'Mara, Marcus O'Sullivan, Ray Flynn, and Eamonn Coghlan, in 1985 after setting the still-standing world record in the 4 x mile relay

Celebrated runner Eamonn Coghlan is coming back to the Millrose Games, this time as an 'adopted coach.' The seven-time champion of the Wanamaker Mile is helping bring a talented Irish squad from Dublin City University to compete in the Byron Dyce College Men’s Distance Medley Relay in the 105th Millrose Games, Feb. 11, 2012 at The Armory.

"I've known these kids since they were young teenagers," said Coghlan, whose son, John, will be running the 1600m anchor. "I've seen them grow up. The fact that they are all in school together, they can see what running in New York City is all about. It's exciting for their team from Dublin University to go to the Millrose Games and have a chance to do exceptionally well.

"The Irish used to come to the Millrose Games to support me, Marcus O'Sullivan (Wanamaker Mile champion in 1986, '88, '89, '90 and '92 and now head coach at Villanova) and Ron Delany (winner of four consecutive Wanamaker Mile titles, 1956-59). People are not aware of the talent coming out of Ireland. It might get them back on the scene again and they potentially could make the Olympic Team come next July."

Recognized as Ireland's 'Dream Team' and Gold Medal winner of the Irish Under-23 Cross Country team competition, the Dublin City squad consists of Irish Junior 800m record holder Mark English (1:47.09), Brian Gregan, Darren McBrearty and 2010 U-23 Irish 1500 meters champion John Coghlan.

Dublin City University coach Enda Fitzpatrick will make the trip.

Earlier this year Eamonn Coghlan introduced to Armory Foundation president Dr. Norb Sander the idea of bringing an Irish team to the Millrose Games. "He asked me if I would be in on the floor activities," Coghlan recalled. "I said we need a bit of the Irish influence back in the Millrose Games again. I said, 'What about bringing an Irish team over?'"

Thus Coghlan, nicknamed the Chairman of the Boards for winning the Wanamaker Mile in 1977, '79-81, '83, '85 and '87, will be in attendance to support the talented Irish outfit.

"My role there is as a parent, coach and a nervous dad," Coghlan said. "I just want to be with Norb and help keep the Millrose Games going. Enda would like my influence to be with the kids the day before and calm them down, motivate them and help them get ready.

"The Millrose Games are close to my heart for obvious reasons. My success in the Millrose Games has been the making of Eamonn Coghlan. Not a week goes by when someone doesn't say something to me about winning the Wanamaker Mile."

The Irish Team will be competing against the country's top college programs including Eamonn Coghlan's alma mater Villanova, Virginia, Duke, Providence, Columbia and Albany.

The week prior to the Millrose Games, the Irish team will participate individually in the New Balance Collegiate Invitational (Feb. 3-4) at The Armory.

Kelsey Margey wins Millrose Games Trials Mile in 4:49.03 (USA #3)

Villanova signee Kelsey Margey (Friends Academy, Long Island, NY) won the girls 1 mile invitational race yesterday at the Millrose Games Trials at the Armory. Her time was 4:49.03, the third fastest prep indoor mile run this season, and a 3.3 second improvement over her 3rd place finish at last weekend's Hispanic Games.

Event 15  Girls 1 Mile Run Invitational
================================================================
    Name                    Year School                  Finals 
================================================================
  1 Margey, Kelsey               Friends Academy        4:49.03  
  2 Paul, Rachel                 Sachem East            4:52.95  
  3 Gerlach, Tori                Pennridge              4:58.67  
  4 Sheva, Marissa               Pennridge              5:01.67  
  5 Maloy, Catherine             Holy Names             5:01.87  
  6 Bottalico, Ariana            Brewster               5:06.77  
  7 Kendall, Kali                Snyder                 5:08.41  
  8 Brennan, Brigid              Northport              5:09.90  
  9 Frontera, Gianna             Newburgh               5:12.90  
 10 Cuccia, Gabbrielle           RC Ketcham             5:19.82  
 11 Young, Megan                 Nanuet                 5:20.57  
 12 Gomba, Claire                John Jay EF            5:21.32 

Sheila Reid on Bowerman Preseason Watch List

The Bowerman Preseason Watch List Announced for Women’s Award
Courtesy: Tom Lewis, USTFCCCA

NEW ORLEANS – The race to acquire collegiate track & field’s most coveted award has begun its 2012 campaign. The official preseason women’s watch list announced by The Bowerman Watch List Committee has many familiar names from the 2011 season including two former finalists and no fewer than seven who have been semifinalists in the past two years.

Kimberlyn Duncan of LSU and Tina Sutej of Arkansas were finalists for The Bowerman in 2011 and are among the stellar returnees to the watch list. In addition, Arizona’s Brigetta Barrett, Colorado’s Emma Coburn, Oregon’s Jordan Hasay, Villanova’s Sheila Reid, and Oregon’s Brianne Theisen – semifinalists in 2011 – are on the preseason watch. Theisen was also a semifinalist in 2010.

Landing on the watch list for the first time are Southern Miss’ Tori Bowie, Oregon’s Anne Kesselring, and Arizona’s Julie Labonte.

LSU’s Semoy Hackett is on the “also receiving mention” list. Hackett was a preseason watchlister in 2011 and a semifinalist while at Lincoln (Mo.) in 2010.

THE BOWERMAN OFFICIAL WATCH LIST, PRESEASON 2012 WOMEN
(updated January 12, 2012, listed in alphabetical order)

NAME             YEAR    SCHOOL         EVENTS            HOMETOWN      
Brigetta Barrett   JR    Arizona        Jumps             Duncanville, Texas 
Tori Bowie         SR    Southern Miss  Jumps/Sprints     Sandhill, Miss. 
Emma Coburn        SR    Colorado       Distance          Crested Butte, Colo. 
Kimberlyn Duncan   JR    LSU            Sprints           Katy, Texas 
Jordan Hasay       JR    Oregon         Distance          Arroyo Grande, Calif. 
Anne Kesselring    JR    Oregon         Middle Distance   Nürnberg, Germany 
Julie Labonte      JR    Arizona        Throws            Ste-Justine, Quebec 
Sheila Reid        SR    Villanova      Distance          Newmarket, Ont. 
Tina Sutej         SR    Arkansas       Pole Vault        Ljubljana, Slovenia 
Brianne Theisen    SR    Oregon         Combined Events   Humboldt, Sask.

The Watch List

Brigetta Barrett, Arizona – Semifinalist in 2011. Barrett claimed NCAA high jump titles in both the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2011 to join six others that have accomplished the same feat (most recently, Texas’ Destinee Hooker in 2009). Barrett cleared six feet or more in each of her 11 competitions and notched an all-around personal best of 6-4 (1.93m) to win the Pac-10 title. Barrett won 10 of 11 meet crowns in the high jump during both indoor and outdoor 2011 seasons.

Tori Bowie, Southern Miss – In 2011, Bowie swept NCAA long jump titles. At the outdoor championships, Bowie claimed a career-best leap of 21-9½ (6.64m) in taking the crown, needing the final jump to retake the lead from Oklahoma’s Ti’Anca Mock. Bowie was the indoor champion after posting a jump of 21-4¾ (6.52m) in the event’s final.

Emma Coburn, Colorado – Semifinalist in 2011. Coburn won the NCAA’s 3000-meter steeplechase title in 2011 with a wire-to-wire victory, clocking 9:41.14 which bettered the field by more than six seconds. Coburn was undefeated in the steeplechase during the season and clocked a 9:40.51 personal best to win the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational race – a mark that ranks sixth among collegians all-time. Coburn also finished eighth at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the mile.

Kimberlyn Duncan, LSU – A 2011 finalist for The Bowerman. Duncan swept the NCAA’s 200-meter titles in 2011 and, in both seasons, notched world-leading times. Duncan became the sixth woman in NCAA Division I history and the first since Auburn’s Kerron Stewart in 2007 to sweep 200-meter titles in the same season. Indoors, Duncan won the SEC title in 22.78 for the world’s best time of the season. Outdoors, Duncan was undefeated in the 200 meters and clocked a low-altitude collegiate record (and the third-best overall) with a 22.24 run. Duncan was also the NCAA’s 100-meter runner-up and anchored the Lady Tigers to an NCAA title in the 4×100 (42.64).

Jordan Hasay, Oregon – Semifinalist in 2011. Hasay won NCAA indoor titles in the mile and 3000 meters in 2011, becoming the fifth overall and the first since Northern Arizona’s Johanna Nilsson (2006) to claim such a double. Hasay also led the Ducks to a runner-up finish in the distance medley relay at the national indoor meet. Outdoors, Hasay finished fourth nationally in the 5000 meters and eighth in the 1500 meters.

Anne Kesselring, Oregon – In 2011, Kesselring took the NCAA 800-meter outdoor title as a sophomore, posting a career-best 2:02.15 to outdistance Oklahoma State frosh Natalja Piliusina by just one hundredth of a second. At the NCAA indoor championships, she scored in the mile (fourth) and distance medley relay (second).

Julie Labonte, Arizona – Last year, Labonte established herself as the top shot putter in the nation as a sophomore, sweeping NCAA titles and lasting the season without being defeated by a collegian. At the NCAA outdoor meet, Labonte won with a career-best put of 60-1 (18.31m). Labonte was the MPSF indoor champ and Pac-10 outdoor champ with the shot for the second-year in a row in 2011.

Sheila Reid, Villanova – Semifinalist in 2011. Reid tallied three NCAA crowns and five Big East titles during the 2011 track & field seasons. Outdoors, Reid became the first woman in Division I history to the NCAA’s 1500 and 5000 in the same championship. Indoors, Reid anchored the Wildcats to the NCAA crown in the DMR and was second nationally in the 3000 meters. In the Big East, Reid would also win the 1500-5000 double outdoors and was a three-time titlist indoors with wins in the 1000 meters, 4×800, and DMR. In cross country – which is not considered for The Bowerman – Reid has won two-consecutive individual NCAA titles and is only the fifth in the history of Division I to do so back-to-back.

Tina Sutej, Arkansas – A 2011 finalist for The Bowerman. Sutej set new collegiate records with the pole vault both indoors and outdoors in 2011. Indoors, Sutej would reach a best of 14-10¾ (4.54m) to set the new all-time collegiate best in winning the SEC crown and would go on to win the NCAA title. Outdoors, Sutej again won the SEC league title with a collegiate-record vault – a clearance of 15-1½ (4.61m). Overall, Sutej collected 13-straight meet victories before finishing runner-up at the NCAA outdoor meet, but tied the championship-meet record with Oregon’s Melissa Gergel who took the crown on virtue of misses.

Brianne Theisen, Oregon – Semifinalist in 2010 and 2011. Theisen twice set the collegiate record in the pentathlon in the 2011 indoor season and won her second-straight NCAA crown in the event. Her score of 4,540 bettered her previous all-time collegiate best mark of 4,507 set in January at the UW Invitational and ranked among the world’s top five in the event for the season. Theisen also scored at the NCAA indoor meet for the second-straight year as a member of Oregon’s 4×400 relay team. Outdoors, Theisen did not compete as a result of injury.

LetsRun Nation Sees Rhines 7th, Marino 23rd at Olympic Marathon Trials

Here are the results of the US Olympic Marathon Trials prediction contest held by the folks at the LetsRun.com running website. As shown below, Desi Davila is the predicted winner by just about 50 percent of those participating in the contest, with Shalane Flanagan second. Villanova has two women in the race (the third, Kristen Nicolini has scratched from the race): Jen Rhines, who finished third at the 2004 marathon trials (see photo below) and finished 34th at the Beijing Olympic), is listed 7th in the opinion of those participating in the prediction contest. She received 2 first-place predictions. Rhines set a new half-marathon PR earlier this year on this course (which is based on three circuits of an 8-mile loop) in winning the 2011 USA half-marathon championship. First-time marathoner Amanda Marino is 23rd in the poll.


Women's Individual Poll
Name (first place votes) total points

1. Desiree Davila (432) 7258
2. Shalane Flanagan (289) 6736
3. Kara Goucher (34) 5417
4. Magdalena Lewy Boulet (5) 3989
5. Amy Hastings (2) 3625
6. Deena Kastor (5) 3006
7. Jennifer Rhines (2) 1925
8. Janet Cherobon-Bawcom (2) 1517
9. Stephanie Rothstein 1439
10. Blake Russell (2) 1224
11. Tera Moody 1153
12. Clara Grandt 856
13. Colleen De Reuck 758
14. Katie McGregor 733
15. Molly Pritz 649
16. Maegan Krifchin 397
17. Dot McMahan 394
18. Adriana Nelson 208
19. Serena Burla 161
20. Zoila Gomez 146

Others receiving votes: 21. Stephanie Herbst-Lucke 83 22. Melissa White 81 23. Amanda Marino 70 24. Mary Akor 67 25. Rebecca Donaghue 61 26. Emily Harrison 60 27. Jennifer Houck 60 28. Gina Slaby 56 29. Paige Higgins 54 30. Alissa McKaig 46 31. Alisha Williams 40 32. Meghan Peyton 40 33. Linda Somers Smith 38 34. Clara Peterson 33 35. Ariana Hilborn 29 36. Cassandra Slade 26 37. Kelly Jaske 26 38. Katherine Newberry 21 39. Brianne Nelson 20 40. Alvina Begay 20 41. Teresa McWalters 14 42. Diana Bowser 13 43. Amanda Rice 13 44. Erin Nehus 12 45. Wendy Thomas 11 46. Robyn Friedman 10 47. Erin Moeller 9 48. Caroline White 9 49. Esther Erb 9 50. Brooke Wells 8 51. Laurie Knowles 8 52. Camille Herron 8 53. Kristen Nicolini 7 54. Leah Thorvilson 7 55. Kasie Enman 7 56. Christine Ramsey 6 57. Jeannette Faber 6 58. Christa Iammarino 5 59. Brett Ely 4 60. Sheri Piers 3 61. Heidi Westover 3 62. Mattie Suver 2 63. Reilly Kiernan 1 64. Jessica Minty 1

Average Predicted Time for the Winner: 2:26:22

Villanova Women Ranked #22 in Pre-Season Indoor Poll

The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has released its preseason indoor T&F rankings. Villanova's women are ranked #22 in the country, and #2 in the Big East. Here's the complete top 25:

2012 Preseason — January 10

Rank School           Points Conference Head Coach (Yr) 2011 FINAL 
1. Oregon             200.25  Pac-12    Vin Lananna (7th)       1 
2. LSU                142.63  SEC       Dennis Shaver (8th)     3 
3. Arkansas           124.93  SEC       Lance Harter (22nd)     4 
4. Texas              112.27  Big 12    Bev Kearney (20th)      2 
5. Clemson            111.83  ACC       Lawrence Johnson (4th) 11 
6. UCF                100.67  Conf USA  Caryl Gilbert (5th)    21 
7. BYU                 85.81  W.Coast   Patrick Shane (2nd)    15 
8. Texas Tech          70.09  Big 12    Wes Kittley (13th)     36 
9. Florida State       61.83  ACC       Bob Braman (9th)        9 
10. Arizona            59.78  Pac-12    Fred Harvey (10th)      7 
11. Ohio State         57.99  Big Ten   Karen Dennis (6th)     40 
12. Southern Illinois  57.69  MV        Connie Price (11th)    21 
13. Southern Miss      57.17  Conf USA  Kevin Stephen (5th)    13 
14. Georgia            53.38  SEC       Wayne Norton (13th)    NR 
15. Stony Brook        48.21  Am. East  Andy Ronan (12th)      30 
16. Arizona State      47.75  Pac-12    Greg Kraft (16th)      40 
17. Texas A&M          47.71  Big 12    Pat Henry (8th)         5 
18. Baylor             47.66  Big 12    Todd Harbour (7th)     10 
19. Michigan           45.21  Big Ten   James Henry (27th)     18 
20. Connecticut        44.24  Big East  Bill Morgan (9th)      23 
21. Oklahoma           43.10  Big 12    Martin Smith (7th)      6 
22. Villanova          40.02  Big East  Gina Procaccio (12th)  12 
23. Stanford           36.71  Pac-12    Edrick Floreal (7th)   15 
24. Georgetown         34.84  Big East  Patrick Henner (5th)   50 
25. Nebraska           32.39  Big Ten   Gary Pepin (32nd)      17 

Rhines, Nicolini & Marino Get Set for US Marathon Trials

Villanova will be represented at this weekend's US Olympic maraton trials by alums Jen Rhines, Kristen Nicolini, and Amanda Marino.

*** UPDATE: Kristen Nicolini has scratched from the trials ***

Jen Rhines, 37, is a three-time USA Olympian who won multiple NCAA individual championships while at Villanova: 4-times NCAA 5000 meter champion and NCAA individual cross country champion. She has a half-marathon PR of 1:11:14 (2011, Houston) and a marathon PR of 2:29:32 (2006, Rome). She finished 3rd at the 2004 USA Olympic marathon trials and was a 5000 meter finalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Rhines Achievements
THREE TIME OLYMPIAN: 10,000m (2000), Marathon (2004), 5,000m (2008)
2011 US 15k Champion
2011 US Half Marathon Champion
3rd All Time US at 5,000m
2008 US Olympian, 5,000m
2005 World Championships 10,000m
2005 US Champion 15K
2006 4th Place Rome Marathon
2004 US Olympian Marathon
2002 US National Champion 10,000m
2000 US Olympian 10,000m
7th Place Tokyo Women's Marathon
3-Time NCAA Outdoor Track 5000m Champion
NCAA Indoor Track 5000m Champion
NCAA Cross Country Champion


Kristen Nicolini, 34, graduated from Villanova in 2000. Kristen ran first at Auburn and then at Villanova, where she was a member of the 1998 National Cross Country Championship team - placing 17th - and the 4 x 1500m Penn Relays team. She was an All American for both cross country and for the 3000m indoor. Nicolini has PRs of 1:12:41 for the half-marathon (2009, Houston) and 2:35:06 for the marathon (2009, St. Paul). Here are some of her post-collegiate milestones:

Nicolini Achievements
2009 USA Marathon Championship - 3rd
2009 USA 20k Championships - 6th
2009 USA 10 Mile Championship - 5th
2009 USA 7 Mile Championships - 8th
2009 USA Half Marathon Championships - 7th
2008 IAAF World Half Marathon Championship - 25th
2008 USA Half Marathon Championships - 5th
2002 USA Chiba Ekiden Road Relay team







Amanda Marino, 22, is a 2011 graduate of Villanova, where she was a 3-time All American in cross country (2008, 2009, 2010), helping Villanova to back-to-back NCAA titles in 2009 and 2010, when she finished 6th and 10th overall, respectively. She was also a 3-time All American at 5000 meters. Marino qualified for the Olympic Trials with her 1:13:47 time at the Philadelphia half-marathon, good for third place. She will be making her marathon debut at the trials in Houston.

Marino Achievements
6x All American (3 each in cross country and 5000 meters)
2011 Philadelphia Half-Marathon - 3rd
2009 ECAC 5000 meter champion

Tom Donnelly: The Man Who Stares at Goats

Here's a great story about former Villanova All-American Tom Donnelly ('69) who helped Villanova win three consecutive NCAA cross country titles. He's been track & XC coach at Heverford College since 1975.

Leader of the Goats

Tom Donnelly of Haverford College is one of the winningest coaches in the world of running

By Erin Seglem
English House Gazette

Tom Donnelly talks quickly, rattling off a long list of distances and times. “They’re gonna run the bus route first,” he says. Then stops, squinting a little bit, “Do you know what the bus route is?” Immediately, he grabs a pen and paper, laying the pad out on his desk. He starts to draw. As he explains the route his runners will be taking as part of the day’s interval work out, his crisp voice picks up speed. It’s easy for him to envision the familiar course. He has, after all, been coaching these kinds of workouts since 1975.

Donnelly, 60, has been the men’s track and cross-country coach at Haverford College, a 1200 student Division III liberal arts school in suburban Philadelphia, for the last 37 years.

Coach Tom Donnelly

He has coached his team to countess conference championships, and helped 132 men achieve All-American status between track and cross-country. Twenty-five of his runners have also taken home individual national championships. In 2011, the Haverford men, also called “The Goats,” took the Centennial Conference Championships by storm. Along the side of the course, a runner from Dickinson college, which is Haverford’s chief conference rival, held up a homemade sign: “This year, 12% of the Centennial Conference has 83% of the championships. OCCUPY HAVERFORD.” The timely sentiment was true. Every year, other Centennial conference teams work to bring down the small but mighty college but they rarely succeed. This year, the Goats defended their championship title with both the individual and team championship. Donnelly was also awarded coach of the year.

While Donnelly rattles off the times and short distance “pick ups” included in “the bus route,” a short, car-free loop that goes through parts of Haverford and Ardmore, he leans back in his chair. For a second, his head is framed by a dozen all-American certificates. In fact, the white walls of his office are heavily decorated by All-American and championship certificates. None of them, however, say, “Tom Donnelly.” Over the last several decades, Donnelly has collected multiple “Coach of the Year” awards too, from the conference, regional and national levels. None of those trophies are within view.

“You will never see one Coach of the year trophy,” said Brian Sokas, a sophomore Goat. “Yeah,” another, Jeff Duncan, class of 2015, adds, “he throws them away.”

Though Donnelly happily talks about his childhood, one would never realize all of the success the coach had as a runner at Villanova University in the mid to late 1960s. He is a local kid. He grew up in the Olney section of Philadelphia and his father was a roofer. He went to La Salle High School and before attending Villanova. Recruited to run, he was a multi-time all-American and ran on national championship teams. When his college career is mentioned he quickly brushes it off, “Nah,” he waves a hand, “I wasn’t that good. I just ran with good guys.” Donnelly has retained that sense of modesty. According to legend, in 2001, the same day that J.B. Haglund, Haverford, class of 2002, took 1st at the National Cross country championships, Donnelly took his coach of the year award and tossed it into the Mississippi River. Donnelly would always prefer to talk about his athletes’ successes, rather than his own. A coach is only one person,” he says.

When it comes to his runners’ achievements, the present isn’t just what matters. How each individual developed themselves and became a champion runner is just as valuable. File cabinets and boxes are filled with old running logs. He has his runners turn one in every week. It helps them have a sense of what they’re doing right and sometimes, he adds laughing, what they are doing wrong. He pulls out a manila folder with a calendar on it, pointing to a specific day. That day, the guys that worked out were a little sick because it was so hot. That workout same though, had been done the year before by Anders Hulleberg, class of 2011, who went on to win the Division III National Cross Country Championships. Even through the heat, Donnelly reminded his runners that they had just done the same workout as a national champion.

When it comes to planning for an individual’s season, Donnelly has his runners write down their goals and then, at a meeting, discuss them with him. His goal is make sure that the athletes are not overselling or, as the case more often is, underselling themselves.

After a little sifting through a cardboard box, Donnelly retrieves an old marble notebook. As he flips through it, he stops on one yellowed page. Neat blue block letters say: We won nationals!!! He hesitates for a moment before skipping to another page, pointing at a workout, “30 400s,” he said, “at around 65.” A jaw-dropping workout for most, he and teammates would sprint a lap on the track, ¼ of a mile, in 65 seconds, rest for a minute, and do it again. Then, looking it over, he continues, “Everybody did twenty but I did an extra ten because I was mad. I did the 20th in 56 and got blown away by the other guys, so I did 10 more.” He did an extra 10 just because he was frustrated with himself for not keeping up.

In 1975, Donnelly started coaching at Haverford College. The job was part time at first, though Donnelly immediately poured in full-time hours. Two years later, the college created a full-time position and the coach has been there ever since. During his tenure, Donnelly has coached professionals, such as former worldclass runner and current Villanova head coach, Marcus O’Sullivan, and major Division III champions like J.B. Haglund and Karl Paranya (Paranya was the first man to break the four minute mile in division III.).

Between his years at Villanova and his coaching at Haverford, Donnelly taught history at Archbishop Wood and La Salle High school. He also spent a year at Villanova for graduate school. It was his time there that made him realize that the best way to learn is by doing. That, as well as his love of history and teaching, has followed him through his career. Junior Jordan Schilit says that on his first visit to Haverford, Donnelly spent three hours showing him the campus, which can be contained by a 2.25 mile nature trail, telling short histories about many of the buildings that most on Haverford’s campus pay little attention to. “He really just wants to teach you,” Schilit says. Donnelly wants to teach his runners how to become great. To him, putting in the time and effort is the necessary, but wanting to do that is the only way anyone can truly succeed. “All you can ask for is for them to run well…to do their best.” Donnelly says.

In 2011, the Goats took second at Nationals, losing their title to North Central of Illinois. “I feel like I was the only happy one there.” Donnelly smiled a little bit, his blue eyes twinkling. “I remember when it was a big deal that we got twelfth in the region.” In keeping with his previous philosophy, the Goats ran the best they could that day and that’s enough.

Donnelly checks his watch, with a double take though, he jumps to his feet. “We better get down there,” he says, grabbing a lint-covered black fleece jacket. “It’s going to be cold out there,” he says. At the fieldhouse, some of the early arrivals are milling around. Eventually, as all of the Goats gather, they form a clump, with Donnelly at the center. At first, he makes some jokes, taunting a few of the upperclassmen runners, he makes running references that only a few hardcore track nerds would understand, then mentions something about the last week’s workout. When Donnelly is with his runners he moves between awkward and silly, teasing some while trying to make genuine conversation with others. As he turns his attention to his clipboard, Donnelly adjusts his faded blue Phillies hat a little. Everyday, Donnelly wears a similar uniform: faded jeans, running sneakers, a polo or t shirt and his Phillies cap. When it gets cold, he wears fleece under a heavy down vest that swishes in time with the swing of his arms. His wardrobe is as consistent as his training methods.



Laughter erupts from the center of the circle. Donnelly has built a strong community within his team, one that is focused on enjoying running, through training and racing. The coach says that, “A coach is only one man.” One of his athletes, Soren Rasmussen recalls another interview with Donnelly in which he said, “as a coach you influence your athlete by 1%, maybe.” But so many of Donnelly’s athlete’s would disagree. Rasmussen says that Donnelly is a unique coach because, “He’s not going to try and micro-manage your life or order you around, instead he challenges you to discipline yourself to do the best you can both academically and athletically.” Many of his runners can only describe him as “indescribable.” Donnelly pours hours into his work, going over each runner’s logs and perfecting the workouts he prepares for his team.

Junior Jordan Schilit says, “He cares so much about each runner, so much about the program.” Donnelly doesn’t race his guys for points, he races them because he wants to see them improve their times. This December, he got the all-American certificates for several of his runners and he acted as if it was the first time he had a runner do so well at the national level. In the fieldhouse, he’s bouncing on his toes a little bit, looking at Andrew Sturner, a senior, who had just come back from a run. “Hey,” Donnelly says, grinning, “your certificate,” he stumbles over his words a bit, “your all-American thing came through today.” Sturner smiles, responding with a quiet nod,

“Cool.” He says. For the Goats, seeing another All-American certificate in Donnelly’s office is like seeing another tree take root within the Haverford’s arboretum. For Donnelly though, every individual’s achievement is just as thrilling as the last.

Does Rhines Have a Real Shot at Olympic Marathon Trials?

One thing is clear in the lead-up to next weekend's US Olympic marathon trials: no one is giving Jen Rhines much of a chance to finish in the top three and make the team. Only one of the 263 experts who voted in a Runner's World poll predicted that Jen would win the trials. Most observers think that she'll have to catch lightning in a bottle to make the team. Three reasons form the basis of this conventional wisdom: (1) Jen has not completed a marathon since running her PR (2:29:32) in Rome in February 2006; (2) she was a DNF at the 16 mile mark at the New York City marathon in November, despite some optimistic talk prior to the race; and (3) Jen has been rather clear that she'll try to make her fourth USA Olympic team at a different distance: the 10,000 meters. On the other hand, Jen did win national titles on the roads in the past year at 15,000 meters and the half-marathon (where in January 2011 she ran her PR of 1:11:14). Moreover, one of Jen's three Olympic berths was a marathoner (Athens in 2004).

Click HERE for a good review from Runner's World of the major contenders at the trials.

Recruit Margey 3rd at Hispanic Games Elite Mile

Georgetown-bound Samantha Nadel won the invitational mile at the Hispanic Games handily, front-running over the second half of the race. Sophomore Mary Cain finished second, joining Nadel as automatic entrants in the girl's mile at the Millrose Games. Villanova signee Kelsey Margey finished third, in 4:52.33.

Girl's Invitational Mile
1.  Samantha Nadel    North Shore       4:46.11  (USA #1 & Facility Record)
2.  Mary Cain         Bronxville        4:48.98
3.  Kelsey Margey     Friends (LI)      4:52.33
4.  Audrey Batzel     Ocean Lakes (VA)  4:58.07
5.  Sara Sargent      Pennsbury (PA)    4:59.07
6.  Taylor Driscoll   Saratoga          5:03.76
7.  Tiana Guevara     Miller Place      5:06.25
8.  Keelin Hollowood  Saratoga          5:07.19
9.  Estela Smith      Saratoga          5:07.95
10. Tiana Guevara     Miller Place      5:09.25
11. Gianna Fronters   Newburgh          5:17.51
12. Tess Keller       Pope John XXIII   5:20.15
13. Lauren Fontana    St Anthony's      5:33.93 

Delaware Invitational Nets 5 Big East Auto Qualifiers

Several Villanova track and field athletes competed Friday night at the Delaware Invitational in Newark, DE. Highlighting the results were Big East automatic qualifiers for frosh Matthew Sidney (high jump), soph Chris Dougherty (pole vault), soph Samantha Yeats (high jump), frosh Alexandra (Alex) Wasik (pole vault), and frosh Kathleen McPhillips (pole vault). Here are the complete Villanova results from the meet.

Men's High Jump
1.  Matthew Sidney      FR   6' 7"    BIG EAST QUAL
2.  Elbert Maxwell      FR   6' 4 1/4"

Men's Pole Vault
1.  Chris Dougherty     SO   14' 9"   BIG EAST QUAL
-.  Charles Kido        FR   NH

Men's Long Jump
2.  Lazaro Tiant   SO   21' 1 1/2"

Women's 400 meters
3.  Katherine Petruzzelis   FR   1:01.60

Women's 60 meter hurdles
5.  Katherine Petruzellis   FR   9.77

Women's High Jump
1.  Samantha Yeats         SO   5'7"   BIG EAST QUAL
10. Katherine Petruzellis  FR   4'11"

Women's Pole Vault
1.  Alex Wasik            FR   11' 9 3/4"   BIG EAST QUAL
2.  Kathleen McPhillips   FR   11' 7 3/4"   BIG EAST QUAL
3.  Melissa Meggiolaro    JR   11' 3 3/4"

Women's Long Jump
4.  Samantha Yeats        SO   17' 10 3/4"
8.  Kathleen McPhillips   FR   17'  3 1/4"

Women's Shot
8.  Kathleen Petruzellis  FR   31' 9 1/4"

Nova Signee Kelsey Margey in Elite Mile at Hispanic Games

The girls mile at Saturday's Hispanic Games in the Armory in New York, a Millrose Games qualifier, could be the highlight of the meet. It features Neptune, New Jersey sr Ajee Wilson, Bronxville, New York soph Mary Cain, North Shore, New York sr Samantha Nadel, and Friends Academy, New York sr Kelsey Margey (who gave Villanova a verbal commitment in November). Wilson, of course, is best known for her 800 prowess, which netted her last year’s World Youth title (US#2 2:02.64, #6 all-time) as well as last winter’s New Balance Indoor Nationals crown (US#1 2:06.17, #6 all-time). Wilson is being heavily recruited by many schools, Villanova included. Wilson, who is also the defending champ in this race, has run 4:43.92 for 1600 (outdoors 2010), and last winter won the loaded Brooks PR mile (4:49.48) and was 3rd at Millrose. Cain set the frosh 1500 USR with a US#2 4:17.84 last spring to win the New York state meet, then was 5th in the New Balance Outdoor Mile and 2nd in the USATF Jr 1500. She is currently US#1 in the 1500 and 1000. Nadel is the defending Millrose Champ and last spring also ran a 4:25.59 1500. She is currently US#1 for 3k at 9:46.39 and has anchored North Shore’s US#1 4x1500 and DMR relays (the latter with a 4:47 that is the best anyone has run for any distance close to the mile this winter). Margey, ran a 4:23.82 1500 and 4:47.39 mile last spring, and has an even faster mile PR of 4:43.91 from 2010.

"Phantom Foot Injury" Scratches Curtis Out of Edinburgh XC

Bobby Curtis has been in the UK since Christmas, in preparation for the BUPA Great Edinburgh Cross Country meet (Curtis was named captain of Team USA, which will compete in a team format against British and European Select squads). Unfortunately, he's been niggled since mid-December by what he has termed (via Twitter) a "phantom foot injury" of unknown origin. The injury recently forced him to drop out of his planned 10K race in Balzano, Italy on New Year's Eve. He's getting treatments while in Britain, but it looks like Curtis has scratched from the race. He's been replaced on the 9-man squad by Ben Bruce, known best in the States as a steepler. It's not clear how debilitating the injury might be (at last report, Curtis is currently doing only light jogging), but European cross country courses are not very forgiving on the feet. In any event, with 2012 being an Olympic year and Curtis seemingly intent on making the USA team at 10,000 meters, discretion is currently the better part of valor. The situation is reminiscent of the last-minute injury that kept Adrian Blincoe out of the world championships' 5000 meters last year. Very frustrating for all involved.

Reid Wins Eastern Track's Female Athlete of the Year

Eastern Track Names Its Athletes Of The Year

Walt Murphy's News and Results Service
Eastern Track
(c)Copyright 2012-all rights reserved.

Here are the picks for Eastern Track's Athletes of the Year. Athletes representing schools from Maine to Virginia were considered, as well as those collegians who attned schools that are outside E.T.'s geographic region, but are active members of the IC4A/ECAC.

College Men-Leonard Korir (Iona)
College Women-Sheila Reid (Vilanova)
High School Boys-Nick Vena (Morristown,NJ)
High School Girls-Aisling Cuffe (Cornwall Central,NY)

2011 Athletes of the Year

College Women: Sheila Reid (Villanova)

Sheila Reid won the NCAA Div.I Cross-Country title in the fall, anchored Villanova to a win in the DMR at the Indoor NCs (and finished 2nd in the 3000), and scored a historic double by winning both the 1500 and 5000 at the Outdoor NCs. Now a senior, Reid is the 7th woman from Villanova to be named E.T.’s AOY (the first since Carrie Tollefson was so named in 1999).

Other Eastern notables in 2011:

Duke’s Juliet Bottorff was the NCAA Champion at 10,000-meters and the ECAC Champion at 3000-meters.

Chelsea Carrier, West Virginia’s all-around talent, won three Big East outdoor titles(100h, 400h, LJ) and was 5th in the NCAA Pentathlon and 3rd in the NCAA Heptathlon.

Virginia Tech’s Dorotea Habazin won the hammer throw at the NCAA Championships.

Stony Brook’s Lucy Van Dalen was 3rd in the NCAA 3000(i) and 2nd in the 1500.

Katie Van Buskirk was 2nd in the NCAA mile(i) and anchored Duke to victory in the 4x800 at the Penn Relays.


College Men: Leonard Korir (Iona)

Iona’s Leonard Korir and Liberty’s Sam Chelanga raced against each other five times during the 2010-2011 school year, with Korir beating his fellow Kenyan three times. That was enough to give the nod to Korir, ending Chelanaga’s bid to become a 3-time AOY!

Chelanga drew first blood, winning the NCAA X-Country title in the fall of 2010(Korir was 4th), with Korir evening the score by winning the 5000 at the NCAA Indoor

Championships(Chelanga-2nd). They both competed the next day in the 3000, with Korir finishing 6th and Chelanga a distant 15th.

They next went head-to-head at the Outdoor NCs, with Korir winning the 10,000 (Chelanga-2nd) and Chelanga winning the 5000(Korir-3rd).

While those two dominated the voting, others also performed well in 2011.

Robby Andrews won his 2nd NCAA 800 title and once again anchored Virginia to victory in the 4x800 at Penn.

Virginia Tech’s Alexander Ziegler won the NCAA hammer throw and was 2nd in the weight throw indoors.

Princeton’s Donn Cabral was 2nd in the NCAA steeple and was an All-American in X-Country.

Amanda Marino to Marathon Debut at USA Olympic Trials

Amanda Marino's blog entry below appears HERE from the folks at FloTrack.

Quest to Rediscover the Passion
Amanda Marino on January 1, 2012, 3:23pm

Amanda Marino was a 3-time cross country All-American (35th, 6th, 10th) and part of two consecutive National Championship cross country teams at Villanova from 2007-2011. Her PRs include 16:04 5k and 33:47 10k on the track as she heads into Houston with a half marathon qualifying time of 1:13:47. The Houston Trials will be her marathon debut.

AM: After a roller coaster ride through indoor and outdoor track last year, running left a bitter taste in my mouth. I wanted to forget about finishing one place out of making outdoor NCAAs, I wanted to forget about two consecutive years of wasted indoor seasons, and I just wanted to cherish the great memories of college—two team championships in XC, a last-minute solo plane ride to indoor NCAA’s sophomore year, watching teammates take the 2011 indoor DMR, etc. And most importantly, I didn’t want the disappointments of my sub-par track seasons to overshadow the value of my whole college experience. In a quest to rediscover my passion for the sport, I thought it would be best to leave it for a while.

If you know me well enough, you know that my fifteen-day no-running streak was a feat. All it took to break me was my brother Matt, an ex-runner who would now rather wash the dishes than run, to say “I think I’ll go for a run. It’s nice out.”

Soon thereafter, Villanova grad Craig Segal contacted me about running some races at the shore for the team Runner’s High. I love New Jersey, I love the beach, and I love meeting new people, so, naturally, I joined the team. Out of my own desire, I woke up at 5:30am every summer weekday to run before reporting to my job as counselor at a YMCA day camp. It was during those lonely morning hours that I came to the realization that I was simply born to be a runner (and/or that I am crazy).

Beginning at some point in July, I met Craig and a few other people every Sunday for a long run. When people asked what I was training for, I would jokingly say “Sunday runs!” Since my early summer training consisted of only thirty minute runs every other day, the first few long runs were tough. Ten miles one week. Twelve the next. Then an ambitious attempt at fifteen, which left me walking the last two miles of my third trip around the Manasquan reservoir’s five-mile loop. However, as my fitness started to come around, ten turned into thirteen, thirteen turned into fifteen, and fifteen turned into eighteen. One Sunday after a hilly thirteen-miler in Holmdel, NJ, Craig told me he was planning to run the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November. He gave me the idea that it would be fun to train for something new and exciting. About a month later, I solidified the idea by signing up.

September and October flew by. Among taking graduate classes, helping out (and being inspired by) Nova’s cross country teams, training, tutoring, babysitting, and attempting to have a social life, there wasn’t much time to think. The 4:30am alarm on November 18th came before I knew it, and it was time to test my limits. I had no race plan and little indication of what kind of shape I was in, but in the back of my mind I knew that I wanted to run under 1:15, since that was the qualifying time for the trials. Characteristically, I went out slow and gradually picked people off; characteristically, I was averaging miles that were faster than any workout would have indicated (I’ve never been a workout warrior), and I somehow found myself crossing the line well under my goal time. Since then, those eighteen-milers have turned into twenty-milers, those 85-mile weeks have turned into 100-mile weeks, and along the way, I have strengthened my appreciation for the running community. I have been encouraged and supported by former coaches, Nova’s current team members, former college competitors, elite runners, fellow New Jersey-ans, my little sister’s high school teammates—the list goes on and on.

I always knew that one day I would want to try a marathon. But I never could have predicted that my first one would be at the Olympic trials at the age of 22. I have no idea what to expect in Houston. I’m excited to see all the pros in person. I’m excited to see what the crowd is going to be like. I’m scared as hell of what I’m going to feel like at mile 20. I’m aware that there are about a million different things that can go wrong. But I also know that everyone else out there, whether young or experienced, is human just like me. I’m ready to talk myself through it; ready to fight through the inevitable onset of pain. I’m going to take it all in, because although right now I don’t know what the heck I’m doing, maybe four years from now I’ll have a shot. I certainly can’t plan life, but I can choose to take advantage of its opportunities. This is a pretty big one, and I’m ready for it.

Piccirillo Reflects on Foot Locker XC Nationals

Villanova signee Angel Piccirillo reflects below on her race at the Foot Locker Cross Country Nationals last month in San Diego. Piccirillo finished 13th overall, earning All American status.

Day before the race
We had our meal, and they also had a panel of athletes who are past or present Olympians, NCAA champions, record holders and Olympic hopefuls that all started in our shoes. We were assured that we were taking the first step to becoming just like them; I’m sure that’s what we were all dreaming of. It couldn’t have been more inspirational and kind of them to take time out of their busy schedules, especially with this being an Olympic year, to share their past trials and tribulations, successes and everything in between. This panel included some of the following professional athletes: Jen Rhines, Bobby Curtis, Jorge Torres, Adam Goucher, Suzy Favor Hamilton, Adam Goucher, Carrie Tollefson, among others. It was especially cool for me to meet Carrie Tollefson and Jen Rhines because they both ran for Villanova!! I was so excited to get to talk to them for even a little while because they were both so amazing and made sure I knew I had chosen the right school. After that, we headed to bed as quickly as possible to get as much sleep as possible because for tomorrow we were going to need it.

Race Day
The next day we woke up bright and early, were served a huge amazing breakfast and it was time to go to the course. I did do a shake out run for 10 minutes before we ate but that was nothing major and just to get the blood flowing early. On the bus ride to the course it was not at all like the other rides we had taken. You could tell everyone just sort of knew it was time to get serious, and there were the nerves. When we got to the course, there were already plenty of people there and the announcers had started showing clips of what we had done the day before and some interviews that had been taken.

Everyone was really just trying to focus on their strategy and race plan. We warmed up and then were lined up to be announced right before the race. I was really excited and nervous at this point to get going and start the race, and before we knew it it had started. I did go out nice and easy like I wanted to but I had underestimated the pace they would go out in. Don’t get me wrong, I was expecting them to go out fast but I wasn’t expecting them to go out as fast as they did. It ended up just being too much for me to make up in the end. I had gone there with some different goals in mind but the big one was I wanted more than anything to be All-American. I just squeezed in All-American by getting 13th, which I can’t say I was completely satisfied with, but no one close to me would let me be disappointed. One of the really cool things about this race was that my future Villanova coach, Gina Procaccio was there! It was awesome to see her and talk to her a little bit about my race and she got a chance to meet my coach face to face and hear some of the things I have been doing.

Sheila Reid Repeats as PSWA's Outstanding Amateur Athlete

Villanova All-American to be honored at PSWA’s 2012 banquet on January 30

Villanova University’s great track and cross country All-America Sheila Reed has again been named the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association’s Outstanding Amateur Athlete, it was announced by PSWA president Rich Westcott.

Reid, the two-time NCAA cross country individual champion, will be honored at the PSWA’s 108th annual Sports Awards Dinner on Monday, January 30, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, on Route 70 in Cherry Hill, N.J.

A winner of numerous national awards, Reid was the 2011 outdoor individual champion in the 1500 and the 5000 meters, becoming the first woman ever to double-up in winning both of these events at the same NCAA meet. Indoors, she anchored the Wildcats to a national title in the distance medley relay.

An 11-time All America in cross country and indoor and outdoor track, Reid triggered Villanova’s run to its second straight NCAA cross country title in 2010, an achievement that helped the Newmarket, Ontario native win the 2011 Honda Sports Award as the nation’s top female athlete in the sport.

Reid was twice named the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Year and also National Scholar-Athlete of the Year. An English major, she is also a four-time Big East Academic All Star and Villanova’s Senior Student Athlete of the Year.

Previous winners of the Outstanding Amateur Athlete award—in addition to Reid last year—include Matt Ryan, Steve Slayton, Jameer Nelson, Lisa Raymond, Dawn Staley, Vicki Huber, Jay Sigel, and Michael Brooks, among others.

Other prestigious awards at the dinner that have previously been announced include the Philadelphia Phillies, as the Team of the Year, and Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux, the Pro Athlete of the Year. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and Flyers coach Peter Laviolette will also be in attendance.

The Living Legend, Native Son, Humanitarian of the Year, and Good Guy Athlete awards, among others, will be announced in coming weeks, as will a couple of surprise presentations and some “Special Achievement” awards. The most coveted award—Most Courageous—is kept secret until the night of the dinner. Comedian Joe Conklin will also perform at the oldest continuing sports awards banquet in the nation.

Douma-Hussar is Third at Emerald Nuts Midnight Run

PEACOCK, PEZZULLO ARE MIDNIGHT RUN CHAMPIONS

By David Monti, Race Results Weekly

NEW YORK (31-Dec) — Two athletes training in North Carolina, Landon Peacock of Blowing Rock and Stephanie Pezzullo of Charlotte, won the 33rd Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, a four mile road race held here in Central Park at the stroke of midnight.

Peacock, 24, a former University of Wisconsin Badger who now runs for the Reebok-sponsored ZAP Fitness program, clocked 18 minutes and 35 seconds, three seconds up on Tesfaye Dube, an Ethiopian athlete who runs for the New York-based West Side Runners club. Stephen Pifer, who runs for the Nike Oregon Track Club in Eugene, finished third in 18:48.

“It was a whole lot of fun,” Peacock said after running the race for the first time. He smiled and added: ”It was the most interesting way I’ve started a year.”

Pezzullo, 29, who represents Saucony, outlegged rivals Sarah Porter and Carmen Douma-Hussar in the final mile to win in 21:05, a personal best for the distance by 55 seconds. For Pezzullo it was her first Midnight Run victory; she was second back in 2006.

“Awesome, awesome,” Pezzullo said when she was asked how the race went. She continued: “It was just a great experience, and the crowd support was unbelievable.”

Porter, who like men’s winner Peacock runs for the ZAP Fitness program, crossed the finish line in 21:17 in her debut at the race. Douma-Hussar, a Canadian Olympian and former Midnight Run champion and course record holder, ran 21:26. Former Providence College standout Katie DiCamillo was fourth in 21:38.

Both Peacock and Pezzullo earned $600 each in prize money and time bonuses.

The New York Road Runners, the race founders and organizers, said about 5000 runners took part. A nearly 20 minute fireworks display accompanied the race.

Top 10 Finishers

WOMEN 
 1 Stephanie Pezzullo  29      Charlotte, NC     USA     21:05
 2 Sarah Porter   22           Blowing Rock, NC  USA     21:17
 3 Carmen Douma-Hussar  34     Ardmore, PA       CAN     21:26
 4 Katie DiCamillo  25         Providence, RI    USA     21:38
 5 Breanne Simpson  29         New York, NY      USA     22:56
 6 Leonora Petrina  29         Bayport, NY       USA     23:37
 7 Elizabeth Briasco  19       Forest Hills, NY  USA     24:09
 8 Alem Ashebir Gebreezgi 26   New York, NY      ETH     24:49
 9 Marisa Cummings  19         New York, NY      USA     25:40
10 Sarah Cummings  22          Princeton, NJ     USA     25:40

Carmen Douma-Hussar on Tap for New Year's Eve Race

Emerald Nuts Midnight Run to Ring in New Year

Carmen Douma-Hussar, Sarah Porter, Landon Peacock and Christian Hesch set to race under a glittering sky of fireworks at midnight

NEW YORK - (December 27, 2011) - As 2011 winds down, New York Road Runners is gearing up to celebrate the new year with the legendary Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in Central Park at midnight on December 31. Professional athletes will toe the line with thousands of reveling New Yorkers, it was announced by NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

The Midnight Run, a Central Park tradition since 1978, offers runners and spectators a fun and athletic way to celebrate New Year's Eve. As the ball drops in Times Square just blocks away, runners can party through a four-mile run knowing they won't drop the ball on their fitness this year. The run promises to be one of the most distinctive, cost-effective parties in all of Manhattan.

"The Emerald Nuts Midnight Run is a unique and active way to celebrate New Year's Eve in New York City," said Wittenberg. "It's the perfect way to start the New Year on the right foot, literally! We welcome friends and family to join an extravaganza of fun-from the run to the fireworks."

"We look forward to partnering with the NYRR for an eighth straight year, especially in such an iconic New York event," said Craig Tokusato, vice president of marketing at Diamond Foods, Inc. "The Emerald Nuts Midnight Run will be a great way to celebrate the new year in a fun, healthy and safe environment."

The festivities begin at 10:00pm with music and a massive dance party, followed by a spirited costume parade and contest at 11:00pm. At the stroke of midnight, runners will take off on a four-mile loop through Central Park while the night sky sparkles with a 17-minute fireworks show. Halfway through the race, runners will have the option of toasting the new year with a glass of non-alcoholic champagne at the two-mile mark.

In addition to the celebrations that are planned throughout the evening, a strong professional athlete field will race for a prize purse of $2000, including $500 apiece to the male and female winners. Canadian Olympian and 2007 Emerald Nuts Midnight Run champion Carmen Douma-Hussar will be up against Sarah Porter, the 2011 NCAA Division II 10,000 meter champion, who made her marathon debut in this year's ING New York City Marathon. Other top contenders in the women's field include Katie DiCamillo, Stephanie Pezzullo, Lesley Higgins and Sarah Cummings.

In the men's field, Landon Peacock, the 2010 Big Ten 5000 meter indoor champion, will compete against two-time Emerald Nuts Midnight Run champion (2003-04) and former course record holder Christian Hesch. Other top contenders in the men's field include Tim Ritchie and Stephen Pifer.

• Douma-Hussar, 34, of Ardmore, PA, won this event in 2007 in 20:54. She was second in 2010 in 20:55.

• Porter, 22, of Blowing Rock, NC, won the 2011 NCAA Division II 10,000m championship in 33:17.39. She finished the ING New York City Marathon this past November in 2:44:25.

• Peacock, 24, of Blowing Rock, NC, won the 2010 Big Ten Indoor Championships 5000 meters in 14:11.94 for the University of Wisconsin. He was recently second at the Manchester Road Race (4.75 miles) on Thanksgiving Day in 21:39.

• Hesch, 33, of Hollywood, CA, won this event in 2003 (19:36) and 2004 (18:28), and is a former course record holder.

Other top contenders in the women's field:

• DiCamillo, 25, of Providence, RI, won the 2010 ECAC Outdoor Championships 5000 meters in 16:25.83.
• Pezzullo, 29, of Charlotte, NC, was second at this event in 2006 in 22:00.
• Higgins, 31, of New York, NY, placed second in the 2001 NCAA Indoor Championships Mile in 4:42.36.
• Cummings, 23, of New York, NY, placed second in the 2011 Ivy League Outdoor 5000 meters in16:48.51.

Other top contenders in the men's field:

• Ritchie, 24, of Brighton, MA, placed fifth at this year's Manchester Road Race (4.75 miles) on Thanksgiving Day in 21:47.
• Pifer, 27, of Eugene, OR, placed second in the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships 5000 meters in 13:39.34.

For more details on the race and pre-race festivities in Central Park, visit: www.nyrr.org

"The Great One" -- Reid Wins FloTrack Gretsky Award

Here's the latest from the folks at FloTrack:

As we sat down and reflected on what were truly the greatest moments of the 2011 season one name kept coming up but we couldn't find a superlative that truly encompassed the greatness of this athlete. This athlete has consistently risen to the occasion and seems to have a quiet tenaciousness that combined with a race savvy like none else, produces an almost unbeatable package.

The athlete is Villanova Senior Sheila Reid. We knew we wanted to recognize her but didn't know what title to bestow upon her name. The first idea was to give her "Canadian of the Year" which, is a tremendous title especially when you consider how well Canucks have done this year. But that was too generic, bland and unFlotrack. So eventually we came to the idea of naming it after the Canadian Chuck Norris. Wayne Gretzky.

Who better to receive this award then a fellow Ontarioan ..Ontarianite ..(a person who is from Ontario). The two are just plain winners. Gretzky once said "A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be."

Sheila has been able to craft races into her own blueprint. Her keen race senses are unparalleled and in 2011 almost unbeatable.

Indoors she anchored her Villanova crew to a DMR crown and was barely edged out in the 3k by Hasay. (Fortunately for her, the last place finish in the pee test was went virtually unnoticed and did not effect her indoor stats- 4:00 into vid)

Then Came Outdoors and Sheila was all business as she tore up the Blue Oval in Des Moines. Battling through A 1500 prelim on the second day, Sheila came back the next night to pull away and win the 5k in 15:37. The long weekend continued as she still had a tough, 1500m final on her plate. It came down to the wire again, but as usual, Sheila timed it right, winning in 4:14.57.

Cross Country brought a lot of pressure for the reigning NCAA champion. Reid didn't have an easy road to the championship opening her season at the Wisconsin Invitational. It came down to scene we all know to well. With Jordan and Sheila stride for stride going into the home stretch, Reid set the tone for her season and pulled away with a signature kick.

Reid Continued to roll, and in November arrived in Terre Haute with an undefeated season on her hands. The women's race seemed as though it was scripted it was so dramatic. Fjortoft of SMU took the race out hard and did all she could to not let the race come down to a kick. But with 400m to go, in almost slow motion, a pack of about five women hugged the turn and darted for the barely visible finish line and for a second, it looked as though someone might take down the reigning champ. (I wanted to insert a nickname here, but i don't think she has one yet..lets work on that. Gretzky is "The great one"..just saying) With 200 meters to go the two titans of NCAA XC broke forth and it came down to none other than Sheila and Jordan. It was tight, each inching in front of the other with syncopated strides. Then the barrier was broken and Sheila powered away across the finish line to defended her title.



The NHL has officially retired Gretzky's #99 from ever being used again. Sheila Could leave her Collegiate career with 13 All American Awards so how can Coach Procaccio immortalize Sheila once she leaves Nova and is toeing the line in London next summer?

I will deliver this award to Sheila personally and I will be wearing my best Canadian Tuxedo (Denim Jacket, Denim Jeans, Denim Attitude.)

Jen Rhines on the Upcoming US Olympic Marathon Trials

Jen Rhines for the first time speaks openly about her DNF at the New York City marathon in November -- her first marathon in 5 years -- and her surprising decision to compete in the upcoming USA Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston on January 14th. She competed in the 2004 US marathon trials, where she finished 3rd and made Team USA. She finished 34th at the Olympics that year, in 2:43:52. Overall, Jen has competed in three previous Olympic Games for the USA: over 10,000 meters in 2000, the marathon in 2004, and over 5000 meters in 2008. Jen has indicated for well over a year that her intention for 2012 was to attempt to make the US team at 10,000 meters. Inasmuch as she has not completed a marathon since 2006, and given her recent DNF in New York, Jen would have to be considered a long shot to make the marathon squad this time. Rhines has a marathon PR of 2:29:32 (good for 4th place at the 2006 Rome Marathon).

Running the marathon trials next month does not, of course, preclude an attempt to make the team at 10,000 meters. That race will be held at the Olympic Trials on June 22nd in Eugene, Oregon. Her coach and husband (and former Villanova All-American) Terrence Mahon recently explained the decision to give it a go in Houston: "She's running. . . . We trained her to run New York in November off her track season, but I don't think we timed it right. She didn't adapt quickly enough. She wanted to give it another try, and I thought, 'Okay, let's run the Marathon Trials.' Her primary goal is still to run on the track in London. She's not going to race as aggressively as the other two [Mammoth TC competitors, Deena Kastor and Amy Hastings]. But if she runs smart and makes the Olympic Team, great. If she gets close to the third-place runner in the last six miles, that's not going to be good for the woman in third. But for Jen it's not an all-or-nothing situation the way it is for Deena."