Photo by Doug Michaels for PennTrackXC.com
Directions Men's Course Map Women's Course Map (PRINCETON, W.Va.)---Tight battles are expected in both races during Saturday's WVIAC Cross Country Championship hosted by Glenville State College. West Virginia Wesleyan, which has won 14 of the past 15 titles, is the slight favorite in the women's race. The Bobcats edged Seton Hill in the final regular season women's team power ratings of the season. Alderson-Broaddus, Wheeling Jesuit, and Concord each provide threats to carry away the women's championship hardware. Alderson-Broaddus' Ashley Teets and Wheeling Jesuit's Sarah Campanelli are the top-ranked women's individuals and the only two-time WVIAC Runners of the Week in 2009. Other top contenders include West Liberty's Kallen Weaver, West Virginia Wesleyan's Jenna Brock, Concord's Chelsea Callaway, and Seton Hill teammates Andra Sanders and Hannah Lash. Defending champion West Virginia Wesleyan is only one part of what could be a wild and wooly battle for the men's crown. Seton Hill was a mere point ahead of Concord for the number one position in the final WVIAC men's team ratings of the season. Wheeling Jesuit also figures to be in the mix, while Alderson-Broaddus can't be counted out. Wheeling Jesuit's Ryan Beabout holds down the top individual male runner's spot going into Saturday's conference meet. West Virginia Wesleyan's Nate Edwards and Concord's Craig Pritt should be in contention, along with the Seton Hill pair of Dominic Camasso and Mike Ortiz. Alderson-Broaddus veteran runner Ryan Skotnicki and Concord's Szymon Rola, a standout during track season in the 800m, are two more threats. The starting gun fires at 10:00 a.m. for the women's race, while the men are slated for an 11:00 a.m. start. Junior varsity races take place on Friday afternoon.
Chris Kreger, Meet Director 10/24/2009 GLENVILLE, W.Va.)---The closest finishes in WVIAC history were anticipated and the 2009 edition of the conference's cross country championship meets did not disappoint as West Virginia Wesleyan and Seton Hill finished in a deadlock atop the men's standings and Wesleyan won a tight decision in the women's race. The WVWC women took their eighth straight title and the 14th in the past 15 seasons by only six points over runner-up Seton Hill. Third-place Concord was only seven points out as the top five squads were separated by a mere 22 points. Alderson-Broaddus' Sherry Borsos claimed the women's individual title with a time of 25:35.53, nearly 45 seconds ahead of WV Wesleyan's Jenna Brock. Megan Truelove (Wheeling Jesuit), Ashley Teets (Alderson-Broaddus), and Sarah Campanelli (Wheeling Jesuit) round out the top five. Concord finished 17 points back to place third in the men's team race as the top honors were shared for the fourth time in league history and the first time since 1999. Individually, Seton Hill's Dominic Camasso completed the 8K course in 28:45.11 to edge Wesleyan's Nate Edwards by seven seconds. Skyler McCoy (WV Wesleyan), Ryan Beabout (Wheeling Jesuit), and Jon Bogert (Seton Hill) completed the top five. Wesleyan's Jesse Skiles (women) and Seton Hill's Tim Creamer (men) were honored by their peers as the league's coaches of the year. Squads will now prepare for the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regionals hosted by Mansfield University. The November 7 event takes place at the Lambs Creek Recreational Area. Note by Daddy Doug: Please check out the awesome photos by Charlie Pritt. Congatulations to all and good luck at Region.
