Men's Cross Country

Women's Cross Country

Seniors Geoff Churchill and Matt Frederick

2005 Men's Cross Country Schedule

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2005 Men's Cross Country Roster

Head Coach: Bob Rausch (10th Year)
Assistant Coach: Jason Davis
Captains: Nate Cristofori, Andy Messer

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Men's Cross Country Season Review

2004

Westfield Captures Conference Championship

FITCHBURG – The Westfield State men’s cross country team captured Mass. State Conference championships on Saturday, Oct. 23.

It was an impressive display of depth and “pack running” that gave the Owls the victory. For the Westfield men, it was their fifth title in 10 years and their 18th championship overall in the meet’s 33-year history.

“That was the best pack running I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said 10th year head coach Bob Rausch, “We knew if we stayed together that it would be tough to beat us. We executed our meet strategy perfectly.”

The Westfield men had no runner place in the top five, but they still won the meet rather easily. The Owls totaled 41 points as their first six runners placed in the top 12.

Fitchburg, second with 66 points, had the second and fifth finishers, but its No. 3 runner was 15th. Mass. Maritime, third with 71 points, had the No. 3 and 4 runners but its 3rd-best runner finished 15.

“We actually thought the other teams would be closer,” Rausch remarked. “But there was a big gap between their second and third runners. A big gap.”

Salem State’s Fabian Mejia defended his individual title with a time of 24:13 over the 4.8-mile course. Westfield’s top finisher was senior Geoff Churchill (6th, 25:23), who earned all-conference honors for the fourth straight year.

“Geoff hurt his foot on Columbus Day (Oct. 11) and he just began working out on a regular basis last Thursday and Friday,” said Rausch. “We were nervous if he would even finish the race.”

Churchill was closely followed by identical twins Andy Messer (7th, 25:32) and John Messer (8th, 25:45). Andy Messer was the first freshman in the meet to cross the finish line.

Freshman Christopher Cuff was a pleasant surprise, according to Rausch, finishing ninth in 25:51. Senior Matt Frederick placed 11th (26:00), followed by sophomore Nathan Cristofori (12th, 26:05) and sophomore John Krzystofik (19th, 26:44).

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Men's Cross Country Coaching Staff

Head Coach Bob Rausch

Bob Rausch is in his 10th season as head coach of the Westfield State cross country team.

Rausch has been an assistant professor in the Westfield State movement science department since the fall of 1994.

Rausch's coaching resume includes a stint as an assistant track and field and cross country coach at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. He also has coaching experience at the junior high and high school levels in both track and field and basketball.

Rausch received his doctorate of philosophy in kinesiology degree from the University of Minnesota in 1994. The Green Bay native earned both his master's and undergraduate degrees in physical education at Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

He was a physical education and health teacher in the Wisconsin elementary and secondary schools from 1982 to 1994.

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Men's Cross Country Award and Records

2004 Season Awards

Outstanding Contributor - Geoff Churchill

James Earley Award - Stephen Cole

Most Improved Award - Nate Cristofori

All Conference - Geoff Churchill (6th); Andy Messer (7th)

Men's All-Time Best Times

Home Course Record: Ken Pliska, 1987, 8,000 meters, 26:00

Owls In the Spotlight

- NCAA Division 3 All America: Kevin Crowley, 1979.

- NCAA Division 3 individual national qualifiers: Dave Hanechak, 1985; Mike Keegan, 1986; Steve Gaebel, 1988.

- The 1987 team qualified for the NCAA Division 3 national championships

Men's Cross Country Westfield State Highlights

- Mass. state conference cross country champions 17 of past 24 years, including 11 straight ('83-'93)
- 1987: 19th place, NCAA Division III national cross country championships
- 1987: Third place, New England Division III cross country championships
- 1989: 26th place, NCAA Division III national indoor track and field championships
- 1988: Second place, New England Division III spring track and field championships
- 1988: 10th place, NCAA Division III national indoor track and field championships
- New England Division III second place team, composite track and field scoring (1980-89)
- New England Division III track and field team champions, 1980 and 1985
- New England Division III track and field runner-up, 1981 and 1982
- New England Division III track and field third place team, 1989
- 10th place team New England track and field championships (all divisions) in 1981 and 1984
- Mass. state conference track and field champions 26 of past 30 years, including 13 straight ('83-'95)
- 33 NCAA All Americans and 142 national qualifiers

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All Conference Performer Heather Wenninger

2005 Women's Cross Country Schedule

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2005 Women's Cross Country Roster

Head Coach: Bob Rausch (9th year)
Assistant Coach: Jason Davis
Captains: Caitlin Bates, Marissa Blume, Heather Wenninger

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Women's Cross Country Season Review

2004

Team Effort Leads Owls To Title

FITCHBURG – The Westfield State women’s cross country team captured Mass. State Conference championships on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Fitchburg’s Coggshall Park.

It was an impressive display of depth and “pack running” that gave the Owls the victory. The Westfield women won for the first time since 2000, and it was their conference-leading 10th title in 20 years.

“That was the best pack running I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said 10th year head coach Bob Rausch, “We knew if we stayed together that it would be tough to beat us. We executed our meet strategy perfectly.”

Westfield totaled 32 points to outpace Worcester State (43) and Bridgewater State (67). Worcester State had three of the top five runners, but its No. 4 runner finished 15th. Westfield, meanwhile, placed five in the top 10 and seven in the top 13.

Worcester State sophomore standout Olivia Patch defended her individual title with a time of 19:54 over the 3.1-mile course. Westfield State sophomore Heather Wenninger of Chicopee earned all-conference honors for the third consecutive year by placing second, trailing Patch by16 seconds.

“Heather ran a good race,” said Rausch. “In past races she had finished 45 seconds to a minute behind Patch.”

Rausch also praised the performance of fifth-year senior Aimme Worcester (Lakeville), who earned all-conference honors by placing sixth in 21:44. The Owls’ pack runners included: freshman Kim Grant of East Sandwich (7th, 22:24), junior Marissa Blume of Westwood) (8th, 22:34), freshman Amanda Baker of Webster) (9th, 22:39), senior Christine Byrne of Sharon (11th, 23:01), and sophomore Alison Wesolowski of South Hadley (13th, 23:09).

Women's Cross Country Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Bob Rausch

Bob Rausch is in his ninth season as head coach of the Westfield women's cross country team. Rausch has been an assistant professor in the Westfield State movement science department since the fall of 1994. He has served as head coach of the men's cross country team for the past 10 years.

Rausch's coaching resume includes a stint as an assistant track and field and cross country coach at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. He also has coaching experience at the junior high and high school levels in both track and field and basketball. Rausch received his doctorate of philosophy in kinesiology degree from the University of Minnesota in 1994. The Green Bay native earned both his master's and undergraduate degrees in physical education at Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

He was a physical education and health teacher in the Wisconsin elementary and secondary schools from 1982 to 1994.

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Women's Cross Country Awards and Records

2004 Season Awards

Outstanding Contributor - Aimee Worcester
Most Improved - Marissa Blume
James Earley Award - Aimee Worcester
ALL CONFERENCE PERFORMERS
Heather Wenninger (2nd place), Aimee Worcester (6th place), Kim Grant (7th place)

All-Time Personal Bests

Name, Time, and Year

1. Cindy Sturm 17:52 1981

2. Colleen Murphy 18:33.3 1982

3. Heather Wenninger 18:41 2004

4. Diana Cares 18:44 1999

5. Kathy Norton 18:53 1986

6. Melissa Merrow 19:15 1999

7. Lisa Senatore 19:28.9 1984

8. Alison Carnie 19:32 1999

9. Lisa Roy 19:32.4 1997

10. Starr Hockenberry 19:50.5 2001

11. Karen Bardani 19:55 1999

12. Cheryl Simmitt 19:57.6 1984

13. Kelly Izbicki 20:02 1983

14. Jill Sanderson 20:02.3 1984

15. Stephanie Guy 20:06 2003

16. Tina Pellett 20:07 1996

17. Ann Dever 20:10.9 1986

18. Debbie OÕConnell 20:17.5 1985

19. Sheila Mulherin 21:21.53 2002

20. Janet Pliska 20:22 1983

21. Joyce LeBlanc 20:23 1984

22. Aimee Worcester 20:33 2004

23. Catie Geldert 20:26.54 2001

24. Lorien O'Connor 20:27.4 1989

25. Stephanie Poole 20:32 1999

26. Lisa Desforge 20:34 1986

27. Aimee Worcester 20:34 2003

28. Linda Phillips 20:34.3 1989

29. Debbie Marseglia 20:39.3 1989

30. Gina Ray 20:44 1986

31. Nicole Hill 20:50 1981

32. Heidi Mercer 20:51 1986

33.Ann LaFauci 20:51 1997

Women's Cross Country Highlights: 1980-2004

1980

Cindy Sturm - All America, 11th at nationals

1981

Cindy Sturm - Division III national champion 52nd, Division I nationals New England Division III champion 2nd, All New England finals

1982

Colleen Murphy - 4th, national qualifier - 24th, national finals (All America)

1983

22nd, New England championships

1984

1st, Amherst Invitational

2nd, Codfish Invitational

2nd, Fitchburg Invitational

7th, New England championships

1985

1st, MASCAC championships (inaugural race)

1st, Westfield State Invitational

2nd, Codfish Invitational

MASCAC Individual Champion: Kathy Norton

All Conference: Lisa Senatore, Jill Sanderson, Ann Dever

1986

2nd, MASCAC championships

5th, national qualifier meet

All Conference: Kathy Norton

1987

3rd, MASCAC championships

1988

2nd, MASCAC championships

All Conference: Linda Phillips, Denise McNulty

1989

1st, MASCAC championship (tie)

2nd, Amherst Invitational

11th, New England Division III finals (27 teams)

All Conference: Lorien OÕConnor, Linda Phillips, Debbie Marseglia

1990

Codfish Bowl champions

2nd, MASCAC championships

3rd, Amherst Invitational

17th, New England Division III championships

All Conference: Linda Phillips, Debbie Marseglia, Karlene Eaton

1991

1st, MASCAC championships

2nd, Amherst Invitational

12th, New England Division III championships

All Conference: Linda Phillips, Karlene Eaton

1992

1st, MASCAC Championships

All Conference: Debbie Marseglia

1993

2nd, MASCAC Championships

All Conference: Karlene Eaton

1994

3rd, MASCAC Championships

1995

2nd, MASCAC Championships

All Conference: Michelle LaPlume

1996

1st, MASCAC Championships

MASCAC Individual Champion: Diana Cares

All Conference: Tina Pellett, Lisa Roy, Melissa Merrow

1997

1st, MASCAC Championships

MASCAC Individual Champion: Diana Cares

All Conference: Diana Cares, Lisa Roy, Melissa Merrow

1998

1st, MASCAC Championships

All Conference: Diana Cares, Alison Carnie, Starr Dziengelewski, Melissa Merrow

1999

1st, MASCAC Championships

2nd, New England Alliance Championships

All New England: Diana Cares

MASCAC Individual Champion: Diana Cares

All Conference: Diana Cares, Melissa Merrow, Alison Carnie, Starr Hockenberry, Karen Bardani

2000

1st, MASCAC Championships

All Conference: Starr Hockenberry

2001

2nd, MASCAC Championships

All Conference: Starr Hockenberry

2002

2nd, MASCAC Championships

All Conference: Heather Wenninger, Shiela Mulherin

Conference Rookie of the Year: Heather Wenninger

2003

2nd, MASCAC Championships

All Conference: Heather Wenninger, Stephanie Guy, Shiela Mulherin

2004

1st, MASCAC Championships

All Conference: Heather Wenninger, Aimee Worcester, Kim Grant

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