University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
   Men's and Women's Cross Country  

Stories & Highlights
2002 season
 

    
      Woodruff closes career with best performance 
                                              of season at NAIA National Championship (11/24/02)
      
USP senior women's cross country runner Chrissy Woodruff (Sr., Physical Therapy, Philadelphia, PA) closed out her four year career as a USP runner yesterday, turning in her best performance of the season at the NAIA National Championships held at the Wayne Dannehl National Cross Country Course on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

     Woodruff, in her third an final trip to the national championship, completed the 5000-meter course in 19:46.72, good enough for 69th place in a field of 255.  Her time was the fastest this season for a USP runner and third fastest time ever by a USP women's runner at the NAIA championships. (Woodruff also recorded the top two times.)

     "Chrissy is in my opinion, the best runner this school has ever had," said Head Coach Bob Heller.  "Her accomplishments, both on and off the course over the past four years have been amazing - particularly when you take into account that she has been a commuter student all four years."

     What Woodruff has accomplished on the cross country course is amazing.  Woodruff holds 10 of the top 12, and 16 of the top 20 5,000-meter times ever run in school history; 10 of the top 12 times ever run on USP's home course of Belmont Plateau;  holds five meet records; holds USP course record on 10 different courses; holds the top three times ever recorded by a USP runner at the NAIA National Championships and the top two USP times ever recorded at a Regional Championship.  Chrissy is also the only three-time champion in the history of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC), having won the title in 2000, 2001 and 2002.  In addition, Chrissy broke the 20-minute barrier for the 5K distance a total of eight times.  Only one other runner in school history has ever run a sub-20 minute 5K race. (Melissa Maurer in 1988.)

     Off the course, Woodruff maintains a 3.2 GPA in a tough Physical Therapy curriculum.  She is a Class of 1938 Scholarship recipient, awarded to a student with combined athletic and academic excellence. Chrissy is also a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.

     "Chrissy will be successful in anything she does," adds Heller.  "It was a pleasure to coach her these past four years."  

Devils place fourth at Region X Championship; Woodruff qualifies for Nationals (11/10/02)  
      
The USP Women's Cross Country Team, led by senior Chrissy Woodruff (Sr., Physical Therapy, Philadelphia, PA)  turned in one of their better performances at yesterday's Region X Championships in Presque Isle, Maine, recording their best finish ever (fourth place) under Head Coach Bob Heller.  

     Woodruff, the three-time CACC Cross Country Champion forged her way through the snow and slush and finished in third place overall with a time of 21:24, earning her an individual at-large bid to the NAIA National Championships in Kenosha, Wisconsin on November 23, 2002.  Woodruff's third place finish also earned her a spot on the All-Region Team.

     The Devils finished in fourth place with 118 points, 57 points behind third place finisher and CACC women's Team Champion Nyack College.  In addition to Woodruff, each of the other four USP official finishers turned in solid performances, leading to the fourth place finish. 

     CACC All-Conference runner Ashley Hasulak (So., PharmD., Wolcott, CT) was the second Devil to cross the line, finishing in 21st place with a time of 24:30.  Elizabeth Hay (So., PharmD., Landisville, PA) followed in 26th place with a time of 26:18.  

     Rounding out the Devils top five finishers were Melissa Maximowicz (So., Physical Therapy, Kingston, PA) and Sarah Krudener (Fr., PharmD., Worland, WY)Maximowicz finished in 34th place with a time of 28:29 while Krudener crossed the line in 41st place with a time of 29:35.  Crystal Drossel (Jr., PharmD., Wantage, NJ) finished in a time of 30:24 while Jentry Andrews (Jr., Physician Assistant, Oakland, NJ) crossed the line in 30:32. 

      Harrington's Courage Propels Devils to Seventh Place Finish at Regionals (11/10/02)
       
Senior Jason Harrington (Sr., Chemistry, Herndon, VA) struggled with a swollen knee through yesterday's 8,000 meter course at the Region X Championships in Presque Isle, Maine but nevertheless did not quit, becoming the fifth and final USP runner to cross the finish line, helping give the Devils a seventh place finish.

     Harrington's knee starting swelling up last Thursday and he had been icing it throughout the 14-hour bus trip to Presque Isle and in the morning before the race.  With the knee wrapped, Jason was prepared, and determined to finish.  Harrington covered the course in 44:47 and finished in 55th place.  "I have to applaud Jay for his efforts," said Head Coach Bob Heller.  "Other runners may have quit in the face of adversity, but not Jay.  With all the injuries my runners have had this year, Jay has always fought through and competed."

     The Devils finished in seventh place with 212 points, 50 points behind sixth place Nyack College.  Leading the way for the Devils as he has throughout most of the season, was Marc Andreotto (Jr., Environmental Science, Brookfield, CT)Andreotto finished in 30th place overall with a time of 33:06.  Joseph Holton (Fr., PharmD., North Wildwood, NJ) out-sprinted runners from Nyack College and Wilmington College in the final 100 yards to finish in 39th place with a time of 35:43.

     Next to cross the line for the Devils was Mike Rodriguez (So. , Environmental Science, South Amboy, NJ) finishing in 48th place with a time of 39:48.  John Schoolmeester (So., PharmD., Greensboro, NC) finished in 51st place with a time of 41:45 with Harrington being the fifth and final runner to cross the line. 

        Woodruff Wins Third Consecutive CACC Championship (10/27/02)             
               Defending Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) women's cross country champion Chrissy Woodruff (Sr., Physical Therapy, Philadelphia, PA) won her third straight conference championship at the meet held yesterday at Belmont Plateau.    

The senior Woodruff led all runners throughout the entire race. Chrissy opened up a 35-second advantage after the first mile going into the woods and increased that to 55 seconds coming out of the woods with just ¾ mile to finish.  Woodruff increased her lead as she completed the 5000-meter course to finish in 19:59.19.  Second place runner Maria Lucey of Wilmington College was 1:21 behind her in 21:20.54. 

     Woodruff's win earned her the conference Most Valuable Player honor for the third consecutive year as well as a spot on the CACC All-Conference Team.    

     "Today was the best I’ve seen Chrissy run all season," said USP head coach Bob Heller.  "Coming off of a cold last week and not competing, I was not sure what to expect, although I knew she would be ready for this race.  She’s a proven champion and is looking forward to competing at Regionals in two weeks."   

Teammate Ashley Hasulak (So., PharmD., Wolcott, CT) joined Woodruff on the All-Conference Team, finishing in 11th place overall with a time of 22:26.80, a career-best. Next across the line for the Devils was Elizabeth Hay (So., PharmD., Landisville, PA)Hay finished in 21st place with a time of 23:47.53.  Rounding out the Devils top five were Sonya Newland (Jr., Physical Therapy, White Plains, NY) and Melissa Maximowicz (So, Physical Therapy, Kingston, PA).  Newland was 31st with a time of 26:10.80 and Maximowicz finished in 34th place with a time of 26:48.41.  Jakara Woods (Jr., Physical Therapy, Staten Island, NY) was right behind her in 35th place (26:58.23).  Sarah Krudener (Fr., PharmD., Worland, WY) finished in 4oth place with a time of 27:52.28

Team-wise the Devils finished in fourth place with 89 points, behind CACC Champion Nyack college’s 37 points, Georgian Court College (50 points) and Felician College (72 points).  The team was also awarded the CACC Women’s Cross Country Sportsmanship Award.  The CACC Sportsmanship Award is given to the team in each sponsored conference sport that best exemplifies the spirit of athletic competition and sportsmanship.

Men's Cross Country Team finishes 7th at CACC Championships (10/27/02)
      The USP men's cross country team finished a disappointing 7th at yesterday's CACC Championships held on their home course at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia.  However despite the poor team finish, there were some bright spots as the team prepares for the NAIA Regionals in two weeks.       

      The first was a season best performance by Marc Andreotto (Jr., Environmental Science, Brookfield, CT).  Andreotto was the first Devil to cross the line and finished in 24th place with a time of 32:12.08.  Michael Rodriguez (So., Environmental Science, South Amboy, NJ) and Jason Harrington (Sr., Chemistry, Herndon, VA) also turned in noteworthy performances.

      Rodriguez completed the 5-mile course in a time of 37:52.37, a career-best, finishing in 37th place.  Harrington was right behind him in 40th place with a time of 38:40.79.  While Harrington's time was not a career best or even a season best, it marked the second consecutive week that he broke the 39-minute barrier.  "Marc, Mike and Jason are starting to peak at the right time", adds Head Coach Bob Heller.  "If our other runners get back on track and get healthy we should do well at Regionals."  

      Rounding out the Devils finishers were Joseph Holton (Fr., PharmD., North Wildwood, NJ) and Adam Wenocur (So., Bioinformatics, Wynnewood, PA).  Holton was the second Devils to finish, crossing the line in 35:05.71 for 33rd place.  Wenocur finished in 44th place with a time of 43:17.42.

Team-wise, the Devils finished with 178 points, just seven behind sixth place Holy Family.  Goldey Beacom College captured its first ever team title with 45 points.

         Men's Cross Country Team Performs Well at DeSales (10/20/02)
             
On a dreary morning, the USP men's cross country team took part in the 20th annual DeSales University Invitational along with 50 other schools yesterday.  While the Devils didn't finish amongst the top teams (38th), seasonal bests were achieved by several members of this year's squad.

       Marc Andreotto (Jr., Environmental Science, Brookfield, CT)  turned in his best performance of the season breaking 32 minutes with a time of 31:51.94.  Also turning in seasonal bests were Jason Harrington (Sr., Chemistry, Herndon, VA) and John Schoolmeester (So., PharmD., Greensboro, NC).  Harrington crossed the finish line in 38:18.62, just seven second off his career best time for 8,000 meters.  Schoolmeester was just six seconds behind him, finishing in 38:24.99. Schoolmeester's time was also a career best.  Michael Rodriquez (So., Environmental Science, South Amboy, NJ) also recorded a season best as did Adam Wenocur (So., Bioinformatics, Wynnewood, PA).  Rodriquez finished with a time of 38:51.35 while Wenocur crossed the line in 40:05.83.  Freshman Joseph Holton (Fr., PharmD., No. Wildwood, NJ) and sophomore Chris Kotowski (So., PharmD/PharmTox, Williamsville, NY) also finished for the Devils.  Holton was the second Devil to finish with a time of 34:53.58.  Kotowski, who struggled with a sore knee most of the race finished in 41:01.

      On the women's side, Ashley Hasulak (So, PharmD., Wolcott, CT) turned in a career best performance with a time of 22:52.08.  Elizabeth Hay (So., PharmD., Landisville, PA) finished with a time of 24:20.89 while Sonya Newland (Jr., Physical Therapy, White Plains, NY) finished in 26:55.62.  Rounding out the Devils finishers was Sarah Krudener (Fr., PharmD., Worland, WY).  Krudener crossed the line in 27:22.15

       Women's Cross Country Team is Runner-Up at Alvernia (10/13/02)
       
The USP Women's Cross Country Team produced one of their best team efforts of the season at yesterday's Alvernia-Albright Invitational, placing six runners in the top 20 and finishing runner-up to host Albright College, 24-40.

     Chrissy Woodruff (Sr. Physical Therapy, Philadelphia, PA) again led the way for the Devils, finishing in third place overall with a time of 20:44.07.  Ashley Hasulak (So, PharmD., Wolcott, CT) followed in 9th place with a time of 23:39.13 while Elizabeth Hay (So., PharmD., Landisville, PA) crossed the line two seconds later in 11th place (23:41.39)

     Next to cross the line for USP was Melissa Maximowicz (So, PharmD., Kingston, PA), finishing in 17th place with a time of 25:37.30.  The next three runners USP runners crossed the line within eight seconds of each other, finishing in 19th, 20th and 21st place respectively.  Jakara Woods (Jr., Physical Therapy, Staten Island, NY) was 19th with a time of 25:52.81.  Sonya Newland (Jr., Physical Therapy, White Plains, NY) was 20th with a time of 25:56.88 and Sarah Krudener (Fr., PharmD., Worland, WY) was 21st with a time of 26:00.68.  Rounding out the USP finishers were Crystal Drossel (Jr., PharmD., Wantage, NJ) (27th) and Jentry Andrews (Jr., Physician Assistant, Oakland, NJ) (28th).

     On the men's side, Marc Andreotto (Jr., Environmental Science, Brookfield, CT) led a quintet of USP harriers to a fourth place team finish.  Andreotto crossed the line in 15th place with a time of 34:50.18.  Right behind him in 19th place was Joseph Holton (Fr., PharmD., North Wildwood, NJ). (36:23.98).  John Schoolmeester (So., PharmD., Greensboro, NC) was the third USP runner to cross the line, finishing in 30th place with a time of 40:41.

     Rounding out the Devils finishers were Mike Rodriguez (So., Environmental Science, South Amboy, NJ)(34th place) and Jason Harrington (Sr., Chemistry, Herndon, VA) (35th place)

     Women Perform Well at Belmont Classic (10/6/02)
        
The USP Women's Cross Country Team earned a hard fought fifth place finish in yesterday's Belmont classic in Philadelphia... Leading the way was Chrissy Woodruff (Sr., Physical Therapy, Philadelphia, PA), who finished second overall with a time of 21:02.75.    
      
      Woodruff was followed by Ashley Hasulak (So., PharmD., Wolcott, CT) who set a course PR (personal record) by crossing the finish line in 24th place with a time of 23:39.17.   Elizabeth Hay (So, PharmD., Landisville, PA) was the next Devil to cross the line finishing 42nd with a time of 26:25.05.  Another course PR was set by Sonya Newland (Jr., Physical Therapy, White Plains, NY).  Newland finished with a time of 27:34.69 in 51st place.   
      
            Rounding out the Devils top five was Melissa Maximowicz (So, PharmD., Kingston, PA) who finished three places behind Newland with a time of 27:47.77.  Also competing for the Devils were Jakara Woods (Jr., Physical Therapy, Staten Island, NY); Sarah Krudener (Fr., PharmD., Worland, WY) and Jentry Andrews (Jr., Physician Assistant, Oakland, NJ)Woods crossed the line in 28:25 while Krudener finished with a time of 29:52 (course PR). Andrews crossed the line in 31:10.

      West Chester University won the race with a score of 30 points, followed by Wesley college (81), Richard Stockton (83) and Lincoln University (124).  The Devils were fifth (out of 15 schools competing) with 141 points.

      On the men's side, it was a disappointing day for the USP men's harriers, finishing 10th overall out of 16 schools competing.  Marc Andreotto (Jr., Environmental Science, Brookfield, CT) was the first to cross the line, finishing in 43rd place with a time of 33:32.32.  Joseph Holton (Fr., PharmD., No. Wildwood, NJ) followed in 51st place with a time of 35:23.32.

     Rounding out the Devils top five were Chris Kotowski (So, PharmD./Pharm/Tox, Williamsville, NY); Mike Rodriguez (So., Environmental Science, South Amboy, NJ) and John Schoolmeester (So, Biology, Greensboro, NC)Kotowski finished in 40:05 while Rodriguez and Schoolmeester crossed the line in 41:32 and 43:14 respectively.  Also finishing for the Devils were Adam Wenocur (So., Bioinformatics, Wynnewood, PA) and Jason Harrington (Sr., Chemistry, Herndon, VA).


      Woodruff Breaks Course Record at Wilmington (9/29/02)
        
USP's Chrissy Woodruff broke her own course record yesterday as she successfully defended her title at the Wilmington College Invitational held at Valley Garden Park in Wilmington, DE.  Woodruff (Sr., Physical Therapy, Philadelphia, PA) crossed the line in 21:50, eclipsing the course record which she set last year by 2 seconds.  Woodruff's win helped lead the Devils to a seventh place team finish.

      Ashley Hasulak (So, PharmD., Wolcott, CT) was the next Devil to finish, completing the 5000 meter course in a time of 25:06, good enough for 28th place.  Sonya Newland (Jr., Physical Therapy, White Plains, NY) was the third USP finisher with a time of 30:03.  Rounding out the Devils finishers were Jakara Woods (Jr., Physical Therapy, Staten Island, NY) and Jentry Andrews (Jr., Physician Assistant, Oakland, NJ)Woods and Andrews finished with times of 32:48 and 33:02 respectively.

      On the men's side, Devils coach Bob Heller had a depleted men's squad with several runners out with illnesses.  Joseph Holton (Fr., PharmD., No. Wildwood, NJ) was the first of four USP harriers to finish, crossing the line in 37:42. Marc Andreotto (Jr., Environmental Science, Brookfield, CT) followed with a time of 38:54.  Mike Rodriguez (So., Environmental Science, So. Amboy, NJ) and Adam Wenocur (So., Bioinformatics, Wynnewood, PA) rounded out the USP finishers with times of 43:52 and 48:47 respectively.


      USP Competes at Mule-Falcon Classic (9/15/02)
        
The USP men's and women's cross country teams ran to fourth and sixth place finishes respectively at yesterday's Mule-Falcon Classic on the campus of Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

      The men's team was led by Marc Andreotto (Jr., Environmental Science, Brookfield, CT).  Andreotto crossed the line with a time of 32:43.3 in 23rd place. Finishing just 0.8 seconds behind Andreotto was Joseph Holton (Fr., PharmD., No. Wildwood, NJ) with a time of 32:44.1.  Chris Kotowski (So, PharmD/Pharm/Tox, Williamsville, NY) was the third Devils finisher with a time of 35:42.5

     Rounding out the top five for the men were John Schoolmeester (So., Biology, Greensboro, NC) and Jason Harrington (Sr., Chemistry, Herndon, VA) with times of 39:47 and 40:02 respectively.  Also finishing for the Devils were Mike Rodriguez (So., Environmental Science, So. Amboy, NJ) and Adam Wenocur (So., Bioinformatics, Wynnewood, PA) with times of 43:07 and 48:02 respectively.

     On the women's side, Chrissy Woodruff (Sr., Physical Therapy, Philadelphia, PA) recorded a 10th place overall finish with a time of 21:02.5.    Ashley Hasulak (So., PharmD., Wolcott, CT) was the next USP harrier to finish for the women, crossing the finish line at the 23:45 mark.  Elizabeth Hay (So, PharmD., Landisville, PA) followed with a time of 24:06.9 and Melissa Maximowicz (So., PharmD., Kingston PA) was the fourth Devil finisher with a time of 25:54.3

     Jakara Woods (Jr., Physical Therapy, Staten Island, NY)  rounded out the Devils top five, finishing the 5000-meter course in 27:14.6.  Also finishing for the Devils were Sarah Krudener (Fr., PharmD., Worland, WY); Sonya Newland (Jr., Physical Therapy, White Plains, NY); Jentry Andrews (Jr., Physician Assistant, Oakland, NJ) and Crystal Drossel (Jr., PharmD, Wantage, NJ).

     Woodruff Wins Race; Devils Place Second at Delaware Valley (9/8/02)
           Chrissy Woodruff (Sr., Physical Therapy, Philadelphia, PA) held off a sprinting Maria Lucey of Wilmington College to win the inaugural race of the 2002 cross country season at Delaware Valley College on Saturday.

     Woodruff finished the 5,000-meter course in a time of 23:03, just one second ahead of Lucey. Woodruff's finish helped pace the Devils to a second place finish (49 points) behind host Delaware Valley College (36 points).

     Just as Woodruff held off Lucey to win the race, Ashley Hasulak (So., PharmD., Wolcott, CT) held off teammate Elizabeth Hay (So., PharmD., Landisville, PA) to become the second USP finisher.  Hasulak finished seventh overall with a time of 25:11 with Hay right behind her at 25:12.

     Next to cross the line for the Devils were Melissa Maximowicz, Jakara Woods Jr., Physical Therapy, Staten Island, NY) and Sarah Krudener (Fr., PharmD., Worland, WY).  Maximowicz was 20th overall with a time of 28:18.  Woods followed in 21st place recording a time of 28:32.  Krudener finished 22nd with a time of 29:20.  Sonya Newland (Jr., Physical Therapy, White Plains, NY) {26th place}, Jentry Andrews (Jr., Physician Assistant, Oakland, NJ) {32nd} and Crystal Drossel (Jr., PharmD., Wantage, NJ) {33rd} rounded out the finishers for the Devils.     

    Men's Cross Country Team Opens Season with Third Place Finish (9/8/02)

    The USP men's cross country team opened the season with a third place finish at  Delaware Valley College.  The Devils scored 51 points, finishing behind Wilmington College (24) and Philadelphia Biblical University (45).

     First to cross the line for the Devils was newcomer Joe Holton (Fr., PharmD, Wildwood, NJ).   Holton finished the five-mile course in 34:58, good enough for eighth place overall.  Marc Andreotto (Jr., Environmental Science, Stamford, CT) was the next Devil to cross the line, finishing in 11th place with a time of 36:24.  Chris Kotowski (So., Pharmacology/Toxicology, Williamsville, NY) was 15th overall with a time of 38:40 while John Schoolmeester (So., Biology, Greensboro, NC) {18th place} and Mike Rodriguez (So., Environmental Science, South Amboy, NJ) {20th} rounded out the Devils five finishers. 

 

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