2015 TRA Honors Cross Country Winners Announced

4/2/16

PITTSBURGH — After several weeks of anticipation, the TRA Honors Cross Country winners are  finally being revealed! It was a hotly contested voting ballot for several categories with the winners taking home the award by the slimmest of margins. Developed in 2015, this recognition program was created to celebrate the athletic achievements of association members. The program may also recognize coaches, officials, volunteers or those who display great sportsmanship. Winners are chosen each year for both the track & field or cross country seasons.

The Association is excited to complete the first year of the program by acknowledging  the cross county winners below with a commemorative plaque and sharing more on each awardee in the newsletter found here.

A reminder of the 2015 T&F winners can be found here.

FEMALE YOUTH ATHLETE:

• Gabrielle “Gabby” Williams – 9/10 Girls – Penn Hills Eagles – New Kensington, PA
  • Champion of inaugural Youth Cross Country Challenge
  • 2015 USATF Three Rivers Association Cross Country Championships – 2^nd Place
  • 2015 USATF Region 2 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships – 4^th Place
  • Qualified and participated in the 2015 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships

MALE YOUTH ATHLETE:

• Zach Leachman -13/14 Boys – Get Fit Families – Mars, PA
  • 2015 USATF Three Rivers Association Cross Country Championships – 1^st  Place
  • 2015 USATF Region 2 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships – 3^rd  Place
  • Qualified and participated in 2015 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships
  • 1^st Place Slippery Rock Invitational and Fox Chapel Invitational (holds course record)

OPEN ATHLETE:

• Marianne Abdalah – Steel City Track Club – Wexford, PA
  • 2015 Class A Champion – PIAA Foundation Championships
  • 2015 Class A Champion – WPIAL Championships
  • 2015 Class A Champion – PIAA State Cross Country Championships

 Has won each of these competitions for 3 consecutive years

MASTERS ATHLETE:

• Brian Brown – Greenburg YMCA – Greensburg, PA
  • 1^st Place TRA Cross Country Championships – Masters Men (third place overall)
  • TRA Board Member

OFFICIAL:

• Tom Erny – Pittsburgh, PA
  • Longtime official; nationally certified
  • Served as starter at all 2015 Cross Country developmental meets
  • Provided timing equipment and services at all 2015 Cross Country meets

COACH:

• Robert Williams – Penn Hills Eagles – New Kensington, PA
  • Head Cross Country Coach of the Penn Hills Eagles for last 4 years
  • Coached athletes to 1^st place team finish in the inaugural Youth Cross Country Challenge
  • Instrumental in the renewed interest and participation in cross country in Association
  • Serves as 2^nd Chair of the Youth Committee and member of TRA Board