Calvin Invitational

The Allegheny men moved up a spot to #5 in this week's national polls, largely due to their dominating performance at the Calvin Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 19. Host Calvin College is ranked seventh in the nation for NCAA Division III schools, but they couldn't hold off Allegheny, who had four men finish before Calvin's second runner. After their great seasons on the track last year, Chris Marker and Jeremie Parker continued to improve, finishing second and 6th overall in new PR's of 25:01 and 25:12. Zac Ross was close behind in 25:18 for 8th place. The top 6 athletes finished with a 51 second spread. They included Jake Zimmerman (12th, 25:31), Tony Dipre (20th, 25:50) and Pat McLaughlin (21st) in a PR of 25:52. The team scored 48 points to win the meet, defeating runner-up Calvin (83 points), Ohio Northern (#19 in the nation in NCAA Division III), Aquinas (#8 in the nation in NAIA), and Indiana Tech (#15 in the nation in NAIA).

The women entered the meet ready to prove themselves. With great weather and a fast course on their side, they stepped up their game. Senior Mia Symoniak led the way with a fifth place finish and a new PR of 18:10.3. Katie Stancik (JR) followed in 18:54. The next four athletes were a mix of freshmen and returners, but all set new PR's. They included Kelly Gallagher (FR, 19:00), Sam Zink (JR, 19:29), Hannah Serlin (FR, 19:45), and Angie Dyer (JR. 20:05). As a team, the women were fourth behind Calvin (#2 in the nation for NCAA Division III), Case Western Reserve (#13 in NCAA), and Baldwin-Wallace (#35 in NCAA), and ahead of Aquinas (#15 in the nation in NAIA), Spring Arbor (#17 in NAIA) and conference rivals Ohio Wesleyan.

As a result of their fine races, Mia Symoniak and Chris Marker were named NCAC Runner's of the Week. The next meet on the schedule is the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University.

Presque Isle

Like many college programs who have a low-key season opener, the Allegheny men and women had a competition with Penn State Behrend at Presque Isle in Erie on August 30th. The run began at Beach #1, heading out along the path that follows the bay side of the peninsula. The men ran in several large packs, with Allegheny's top 6 returners from last year's team leading the way. Running in the rain, the women's teams split after the first mile, with freshman Sara Mitrano and junior Sam Zink setting a fast early pace. The Behrend athletes fell in behind the two with their top three women working together, followed by a large pack of Allegheny women. All of the athletes ran negative splits, despite the torrential downpour that began half-way through the run (or maybe because of it). After the race, both teams went to Sara's diner at the entrance to the park, where they enjoyed hot dogs, french fries, and old-fashioned milk shakes. Allegheny's first invitational will take place at Calvin College on September 18th.