Behrend Lions 2010 Track & Field Season Preview

The 2010 Penn State Behrend track and field teams are loaded with many experienced returners and talented newcomers joining a program that has seen breakout performances more and more frequently over the past few years.  Numerous school records have been set over the past few years, with a larger number of Behrend athletes challenging NCAA qualifying marks than ever before.  Last year was another stride forward for the Behrend Lions as the men and women each finished third at the Mason Dixon Conference championship meet.

Coach Greg Cooper returns for his fourth year as the head coach of the Behrend track and field program, and again has his sights set on pushing the program toward greater success.  Coach Cooper said, "Our performances at the Mason Dixon Championships matched our best ever finishes, and we're hoping to improve on those in 2010."  Coach Cooper has assembled an excellent coaching staff as seven event coaches will join Cooper in preparing the blue and white to compete against some of the top talent around.

The Behrend Lions will have five seniors on the 2010 squad.  Dana Turley (Sarver/Freeport) and Sara Byers (New Castle/Mohawk) will lead the women.  Turley is on her way to turning in a magnificent career at Behrend.  She is an 11-time All-Mason Dixon selection, school record holder in the 400 meter hurdles, and also is part of two record holding relay teams.  Coach Cooper said, "Dana has been a cornerstone of our hurdling program the past three years and we're looking for a big season from her."   Byers returns for her fourth season with the squad and the high jump specialist will provide a hard-working presence for the Behrend jumpers.  Earl Bass (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Niagara Falls) will provide leadership on the men's side and look to again compete at a championship level in the 110 meter hurdles.  The two other seniors on the men's team are Vinnie Krawiec (Erie/McDowell) and Rob Shrawder (New Wilmington/West Middlesex).  Krawiec is a sprinter and member of the 4x100 meter relay team, while Shrawder is an All-Mason Dixon distance runner.

There are 19 members of a stacked junior class, which is made up of 13 men and six women.  Standouts for the men include Ronson Mazany (Ashville, N.Y./Panama Central), who will look to continue his stellar career as one of the best jumpers ever at Behrend.  Last season's men's MVP holds the long jump and indoor triple jump school records and hit a NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the long jump.  Coach Cooper said, "Joining Ronson as potential standouts in line for big seasons will be Eston Winn, Mike Stark, Justin DiPenti, and Jordan Telin."  Winn (Erie/McDowell) was the Mason Dixon pole vault champion in 2009 and is the Behrend record holder in the indoor pole vault.  Stark (Gibsonia/Pine Richland) is a well-rounded competitor who found success in the 100 meter hurdles and pole vault, while qualifying for ECACs in the hurdles and decathlon last season.  John Bowman (Clearfield/Clearfield) will also be one to watch this season as he holds multiple school records in the throwing events.

For the women, Mandy Wehrle (Rossiter/Punxsutawney) returns to defend her crown as the 2009 Mason Dixon 400 meter dash champion and also competes on two ECAC qualifying relay teams.  Kylie Swanson (Hermitage/Hickory) is the best women's pole vaulter ever at Behrend.  She placed second at the Mason Dixon championships last year and holds school records in both the indoor and outdoor pole vault.  Jenna Fatica (Erie/Villa Maria Academy) holds the Behrend 800 meter record and also holds school records as a member of four Behrend relay teams.  The other juniors on the men's team for Coach Cooper are Shane Cyphert (North East/North East), DiPenti (Warren/Warren), Steel Flynn (Butler/Butler), Michael Johnson (Clearfield/Clearfield), Evern Lee (Bronx, N.Y./Wings Academy), Steven Monnie (Butler/Butler), David Robinson-Gault (Amherst, N.Y./Amherst Central), Calvin Schmader (Cooperstown/Oil City), and Telin (North Huntingdon/Norwin).  The women's team juniors also include Alex Falvo (Pittsburgh/North Allegheny), Liz Keller (Bradford/Bradford), and Tanisha Wheatley (Saltsburg/Kiski).

Nine sophomores will compete in 2010, consisting of five men and four women.  The sophomore women are Meghan Kronenwetter (St. Mary's/Elk County Catholic), Katie Monoskey (Punxsutawney/Punxsutawney), Lauren Pecor (Mars/Mars), and Kirsten Zinsser (Gibsonia/Pine Richland), while the sophomore men are Greg Benscoter (Bellefonte/Bellefonte), Eric Gerber (Erie/McDowell), Carl Kallgren (Erie/McDowell), Denny Kang (South Park/South Park), and Chris Spicer (McDonald/South Fayette).   

The Behrend Lions have 27 freshmen joining the squad in 2010, made up of 21 men and six women.  Coach Cooper said, "Our men's team should be strongly aided by several all-conference athletes returning.  For the women, we've got a smaller roster, but one that's loaded with talent.  This year will test whether depth or impact is more important."

The indoor season begins with a stiff test against Division I competition on January 23 at the West Virginia Invitational.  The squad will compete four straight weekends in February culminating at the NCAA Indoor Championships hosted by Rose-Hulman.  The outdoor season is a busy slate filled with top notch competition.  The teams will train over spring break at Disney's sports complex in Orlando, Florida before competing March 13 at the Coastal Carolina Invitational.  The Mason Dixon Conference Championships are April 30-May 1 at Salisbury.  The Behrend Lions also have their sights set on the ECAC Championships hosted by Springfield College May 13-14 and on sending more athletes to the NCAA Championships at Baldwin-Wallace held May 27-29.

Coach Cooper said, "While we celebrate the program's past accomplishments, we look forward to a 2010 campaign with hopes of improvement in every area.  If every athlete improves in at least one area of their own track and field ability, the team will improve, and everyone will have done their jobs."