Penn College Cross Country Team Looks Solid
Published 08.28.2003
Pennsylvania College of Technology cross country Coach Mike Paulhamus sees nothing but good things for his men's team this season.
The Wildcats return four of their top runners from last year's team, including William Dillingham, a sophomore from Annville, who is the defending individual Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association champion.
In addition to Dillingham, returnees are sophomores Nate Sayre (Wellsboro), Paul Merces (Seabright, N.J.) and Kevin Batchelor (Hopewell). Dillingham earned all-state honors a year ago, while Sayre and Merces received all-Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference accolades.
"They're in excellent shape. They are ready to go," Paulhamus said, looking to Saturday's season opener at the Marywood Invitational.
The men's squad also boasts some impressive-looking freshmen, including Joe Adesso (Exeter), Dan Arminavage (Anville-Cleona), Darryl Childress (Harndon, Va.), Chad Harrington (Cedar Cliff), Dave Harrington (Dunmore) and Tyler Hoffman (Carlisle).
"This crop of (newcomers) is more than I expected. They are very talented. We are way ahead of any team that I have had in the previous three years I have been here," Paulhamus said. "As long as we stay healthy, we should have an excellent year. We're really deep this year."
Things are a little less certain on the women's side, with no returnees, but the coach is still optimistic with Megan Ross (Williamsport), Iris Butler (Wellsboro), Jennifer Friese (Chambersburg) and Rachel Dalby (Annapolis, Md.) on the roster.
"Rachel is an excellent runner. She actually is staying up with my middle-pack men. She reminds me strength-wise of Chrissy Seward, who was our No. 1 runner the last two years. I think Rachel is going to be pretty tough in our conference," Paulhamus said.
"I have the call for some additional girls. I would prefer four or five girls (on the team) to make it a little more relaxing for me.
"Some of the girls are just starting to get back in shape. I know what their potentials are, so if we can get them back to where they were running in high school we'll have an excellent team," the coach added.
Women run 3.1-mile courses, while men run 5 miles or longer.