Bloomsburg University Cross Country Teams Head to PSAC Championships

BLOOMSBURG- The Bloomsburg University men's and women's cross country teams will be competing at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships on Saturday being held at Kutztown University. The women's race will begin at 10 a.m., while the men's race will start at 11 a.m.

The women's team will go to the PSAC's ranked 13th in the nation and have a strong scoring five this year in Amber Hackenberg (Middleberg /Middleberg), Angela Borealo (Easton/Easton), Andrea Kellock (Lansdale/ North Penn), Beth Schwing (Hershey /Lower Dauphin), and Ashley Shuck (Milton/ Milton). Coach Brandt feels that this year's team is the strongest group of women they've had in nine seasons of coaching at Bloomsburg.

"They have run in heat, humidity, rain and wind, over more hills and trails than they can remember with one goal in mind. That goal is to be, if not the number one team in the conference, then right there on the heels of whichever team is number one at the end of the race on Saturday," said Brandt.

The women, who each have traded positions this season in various races, are as confident a team they can be right now. "Together anything is possible, I think the girls have lived by that motto this season," added Brandt.

The men's team is ranked 5th in the region, the highest ranking for the Huskies in nine season. The men's team will have nine runners competing Saturday, four of which are freshman. Upperclassmen Mike Dalton (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Pope John XXIII) and Dan Tallirico (Pittsburgh/North Hills) have stepped up to fill the void left by two-time All American Justin Shepherd, as both have been among the top five finishers all season long. True freshman Auston Martzall (Myerstown/ELCO) and Darrick Magliane (Allentown/William Allen) have come on strong towards the end of the season.

"When (Justin) Shepherd graduated in the spring, the guys knew they had to do something to make up for the deficit of his front running," said Brandt. " Most of the older guys put in anywhere from 75 to 90 mile weeks over the summer and the freshmen runners did more miles than any group of incoming athletes have ever done before. "

The goal for the men's team this season was to reduce the time gaps among each of them in their races. Coach Brandt feels that the Husky have indeed accomplished that goal.

"They are as tight-knit and committed as we've coached here." said Brant. "They will put it all out there on the course Saturday. Their aim is to be one of the top five teams in the conference."

At the PSAC championships a year ago, the women finished fourth and the men were fifth.