The 2016 Cross Country season was a successful one! The Youth Cross Country Challenge produced another year of record numbers and athletes, young and old, performed well at competition near and far. Through the USATF Three Rivers Association Honors Program we can formally acknowledge the great performances and hard work of our members. This biannual, recognition program celebrates the athletic achievements of association members for both the Track & Field and Cross Country seasons. In addition to awarding those who compete, the program may also recognize coaches, officials, volunteers and those who display great sportsmanship. Individual award winners will receive a plaque, be mentioned on the Association website, announced on Facebook and Twitter, and be featured in the program newsletter. 2015 winners for Cross Country can be found here.
TRA members may vote* for the following individuals who have been nominated for the 2016 Three Rivers Association Honors – Cross Country awards:
FEMALE YOUTH ATHLETE:
Jenna Lang – Pacer Track Club
- 2016 Youth Cross Country Challenge Champion, 9-10 girls. Was undefeated and posted a perfect score of 1550.
- Finished 2016 season undefeated.
- Placed 2nd in the 2016 USATF Region 2 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships.
Lenna Birchard – Penn Hills Eagles
- Placed 4th overall in the 8&U girls 2016 Youth Cross Country Challenge with a total score of 1093 points.
- Placed 2nd at the 2016 USATF Three Rivers Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships
- Placed 7th at the 2016 USATF Region 2 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships. Also member of 1st place team, 8*U girls, with a total score of 26 points.
- Placed 29th at the 2016 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships.
MALE YOUTH ATHLETE:
Renz (Sawyer) Weinman – Pacer Track Club
- 9-10 boys Individual Champion for the 2016 Youth Cross Country Challenge with a total of 1529 points; won all but the first race.
- 9-10 boys Champion at the 2016 USATF Three Rivers Association Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships.
- 3rd place at the 2016 USATF Region 2 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships.
- Finished 45th of 341 athletes at the 2016 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships.
OPEN ATHLETE:
Caleb Muller – Steel City Track Club
- 1st at the Carnegie Mellon University XC Invitational – 8k – 26:37.9
- 1st at the Pittsburgh Great Race 5k – 14:42
- Serves as TRA Athlete Rep Board Member
Ryan Bodnik – Wolf Creek
- 1st place at the USATF Three Rivers Association Cross Country Championships – 17:19
Andrew Mascio – Wolf Creek
- 2nd place at the USATF Three Rivers Association Cross Country Championships – 17:45
MASTERS ATHLETE:
Dominic Wyzomirski – Steel City Track Club
- 5th overall 1st masters male athlete at the 2016 USATF Three Rivers Association Cross Country Championships – 19:40.00
Larry VanDyke – Unattached
- 6th overall 2nd masters male athlete at the 2016 USATF Three Rivers Association Cross Country Championships 20:02.00
Brian Brown – Greensburg YMCA
- 7th overall 3rd masters male athlete at the 2016 USATF Three Rivers Association Cross Country Championships 20:09.00
OFFICIAL:
- Tom Erny – Pittsburgh, PA
- Longtime official; nationally certified
- Officiates the majority of the developmental meets.
- Lowell Wetzel – Butler, PA
- Longtime official, master certified
- TRA Board Member
COACH:
Steve Meddings – Pacer Track Club
- Coach of the 2016 Youth Cross Country Challenge 1st Place Club
- Had 9 athletes finish in the top 3 of their age division at the 2016 USATF TRA Cross Country Championships.
- 18 athletes competed in the 2016 USATF Region 2 Junior Olympic Championships with 5 athletes placing in the top 10 of their respective age division.
- 6 athletes competed at the 2016 USATF National Junior Olympic Championships in Hoover, Alabama.
