Sept. 12, 2013
Men's Program and Meet History | Women's Program and Meet History
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.: September 12, 2013 - Following a pair of victories at the Dolan Duals at Lock Haven last weekend, the Nittany Lion cross country squads will return home this weekend, hosting the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational. The Invitational, which is pushing nearly 50 years of existence, will feature both collegiate and high school races, with the competition set to get underway at 4:00 p.m., Friday at the Blue-White Golf Courses.
About the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational ...
When: Friday, September 13
Where: Blue-White Golf Courses (Starting line directly across from Rec Hall)
Race Times: HS Girls - 4:00 p.m., HS Boys - 4:45 p.m.; College Women - 5:30 p.m.; College Men - 6:15 p.m.
Results: Available at www.GoPSUsports.com; or www.RunHigh.com
Follow on Twitter: @PennStateTFXC
Competing Collegiate Teams ...
Bucknell
Cortland St.
Geneseo St.
Grove City
Johns Hopkins
Mt. St. Mary's
Penn State
Pittsburgh
West Virginia (W)
Competing High School Teams ...
Bellefonte Area
Biglerville Area
Brockway Area
Camp Hill (G)
Carlisle
Clearfield
Cumberland Valley
Daniel Boone
Hazleton
Hempfield
Kennard-Dale
Mt. Lebanon (G)
Muhlenberg
Phoenixville (B)
Punxsutawney
Ringgold
Scranton Prep
Selinsgrove
Shikellamy
South Western
S. Williamsport (B)
St. Mary's Area
State College
Tunkhannock Area
University (W.V.)
Warrior Run
Williamsport
Senior Send Off ...
The Nittany Lions will recognize its senior class during the Spiked Shoe competition, including men's team captain Nick Scarpello (Jamison, Pa.), and women's team captains Rebekka Simko (Mentor, Ohio), and Emily Giannotti (Coudersport, Pa.). Also being honored for their years in the Blue and White are Gwenn Porter (Clearfield, Pa.), Danielle Kocjancic (Kane, Pa.), Marta Klebe (Chesterbrook, Pa.), and Gabrielle Cocco (Allentown, Pa.).
Meet Coach Groves ...
The event is named after long-time Nittany Lion men's track and field and cross country coach Harry Groves. Groves spent nearly forty years at the helm of the men's program, beginning in 1968 until retiring at the conclusion of the 2006 track and field season. Groves is a 2001 USTCA Hall of Fame inductee, was named national Coach of the Year on five occasions, and is a 26-time Regional Coach of the Year honoree. Throughout his Lion career, Groves coached 11 American record holders and 21 national champions. On the international level, 14 Groves-coached athletes made Olympic teams. Groves has also made countless international appearances of his own, including a trip to Barcelona, Spain, where he served as an assistant coach of the 1992 Olympic staff.
Last Time Out ...
Redshirt-sophomore Robby Creese (Mount Airy, Md.) took home an individual victory in course record fashion, while senior Marta Klebe (Chesterbrook, Pa.) paced the Nittany Lion women to a 15-point perfect score, on September 6 at the annual Dolan Duals at West Branch Cross Country Course. Both Nittany Lion squads came away with a victory in the effort, with the women's squad winning 15-50 over local rival Lock Haven, and the men's team topping the Bald Eagles, 22-35.
Spiked Shoe History ...
Junior Victoria Perri (Philadelphia, Pa.) and redshirt-sophomore Matt Fischer (Kennett Square, Pa.) paced the Nittany Lions individually despite rainy and windy conditions, each turning in runner-up finishes, at the 2012 Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational at the Blue-White Golf Courses. The Nittany Lion women's squad posted a dominant effort in the team standings, winning the competition with a 25-point total, thanks to five finishers in the top 10, and seven in the top 16. Penn State also fared well on the men's side, taking third overall in a solid early-season field.
Next Up ...
The Nittany Lions will train through the next several weekends, before traveling the Lehigh for the annual Paul Short Run on October 5. The race will also serve as a course preview for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships, which are scheduled for November 15.