Aug. 29, 2008
Men's Results | Women's Results
LOCK HAVEN, Pa.- Freshman Caitlin Lane (Greenwich, N.Y.) and senior John Mahoney (Richboro, Pa.) led the way with individual wins as the Nittany Lion cross country teams opened their 2008 campaigns on Friday, competing at the Dolan Duals at Lock Haven University. Holding out several of their frontrunners, the Nittany Lions successfully displayed the depth within their squads, coming away with team wins in both the men's and women's races.
"It was a good first race for both the men's and women's teams," said Penn State Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan. "It was exciting and certainly encouraging to see our freshman women step up and perform at that level. And it was definitely an impressive start for John, as he was able carry over his success from the track season over into his senior year. We're very thankful that Lock Haven is willing to host this competition for the second year, and help start off a great season."
Lane made a break from teammates Kara Millhouse (Boiling Springs, Pa.) and Jessie Babcock (Irvine, Calif.) late in the race, and cruised to victory, running 14:44.11 for the 4,000-meter course. Millhouse would hold on for second in 14:56.42 in her first collegiate race, while Babcock kicked off her junior season with a third-place finish, crossing the line in 15:06.81.
"It was really exciting," said Lane of her first collegiate race. "I'm glad I had Kara (Millhouse) and Jessie (Babcock) there with me. It was really nice to run a group, and I think it helped us run faster."
Senior Kathryn Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh, Pa.) turned in a fifth-place effort as the Lions' fourth runner in 15:13.97, and senior Meghan Noecker (Reading, Pa.) closed out the Penn State scoring with a sixth-place finish in 15:18.88. Sophomore Katie Shelley (Columbia, Pa.) and freshman Madison Stark (Chapel Hill, N.C.) also posted strong openers, finishing seventh and eighth, respectively. Penn State scored an easy win over Lock Haven, winning 17-46.
Mahoney took the lead about half way into the 6,000-meter men's race, and never looked back, easily besting the competition for his first collegiate win in 18:28.04. Sophomore Lucas Zarzecnzy (Pittsburgh, Pa.) edged teammate Dennis Pollow (Ransomville, N.Y.) for second, finishing in 18:34.50 to Pollow's 18:34.66. Sophomore Owen Dawson (Coastesville, Pa.) finished sixth overall, and fourth for Penn State, clocking 18:43.98, while Tim Johnson (New Cumberland, Pa.) ran as the Lions' fifth man, finishing 10th in 18:57.08.
"It was a good start," said Mahoney. "It's probably one of the best cross country races since I've been at Penn State. Today gave me a lot of confidence. This is the best I've felt going into a season, so I feel good going into the rest of the year."
Sophomore Chris Ferry (West Chester, Pa.) followed on Johnson's heels in 18:57.40 for 11th, with Will Nowicki (Hillsdale, N.J.) rounding out the Lion top seventh in 12th with a finishing time of 19:06.61. In the team standings, the Lions bested Lock Haven 20-37.
Next up for the Lions is the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational, at the Blue/White Golf Course. Action is set to begin at 9 a.m., on Saturday, September 13.