Men and Women Cross Country Runners Compete in PSUAC Championships

Scranton, Pa. - Two First Team All-Conference and three Second Team All-Conference award winners from Penn State Greater Allegheny were crowned at the 2013 PSUAC Cross Country Championships held at Penn State Worthington-Scranton, Saturday afternoon.

The day kicked off with the women competing in their 6k. GA's women leader was again freshman Rachel Ramsey (North Versailles, Pa./East Allegheny), who nabbed 2nd place with a time of 27:35. After an impressive season, Ramsey earned herself the First Team All-Conference accolade. Sophomore Shelby Bendick (White Oak, Pa./McKeesport Area) completed the race in 30:22, finishing in 9th place. Bendick's top ten finish earned her the Second Team All-Conference award. Freshman Kasey Dansak (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport Area) also raced to earn a Second Team All-Conference award, as she completed the race in 31:51, finishing 12th. Freshman Tammy Bevilacqua (Jeannette, Pa./Jeannette) rounded up the women's race for GA, as she completed the course in 40:49, completing in 22nd place.

The men competed in their usual 8k event. GA's male season-leader, sophomore Rob Meier (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford), finished the race in 31:56, capturing 7th place. With his finish, Meier earned himself the distinction of First Team All-Conference. Freshman David Markotan (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) collected the Second Team All-Conference nomination, as he raced to finish 14th with a time of 32:59. Freshman Jesse Cheek (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) crossed the finishline in 19th place, with a time of 34:38. Freshman Marcus Slivinski (Plainville, Ct./Plainville) raced to finish 34th in a time of 43:57. Junior David Buckholtz (Philadelphia, Pa./Science Leadership) achieved a 36th place finish, with a time of 55:45. Sophomore Keith Smith (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport Area) finished up the race for GA competitors as he crossed in 60:15, earning 37th place.

The Greater Allegheny men's team placed 5th in the conference with 91 points. Penn College was just before them with 76 points. Penn State Brandywine earned 3rd place with 74. Penn State Scranton completed in 2nd place, just a hair above with 72 points. Penn State Wilkes-Barre took first place in the men's race with 28 points.