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Owl Harriers Hope Trail Leads to NCAA Championships; Video Interview with Coach Thomas and Runners
KEENE, N.H., 8/25/10 – Longtime Keene State cross country coach Peter Thomas has developed quite a reputation over the years for developing NCAA championship-caliber teams.
Since moving to Division III in 1997, the Owl men have raced to consecutive national berths each year from 1997-2005 and made a return trip last season. The KSC women made their lone championship appearance in 2006.
Can this year mark the first time Keene State sends both of its teams to the NCAAs? Thomas, now in his 28th season, thinks so. “If we stay healthy, we have a chance,” he said.
Ladies before gentlemen: the Keene State women appear to have to have the best shot at qualifying for the nationals, which will take place at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. The Owls, who are ranked eighth in the New England preseason regional poll, return six of their top seven runners from last year’s squad that captured their record 10th straight Little East championship and placed eighth at the New England qualifying race.
Ally Chamberlain, a senior from Scarborough, Maine, and Keene native Paige Mills are expected to set the pace for the Owls. “It wouldn’t surprise me if they are top-five runners in the region,” said Thomas, who was named the LEC men’s and women’s coach of the year last fall. “They both are capable of winning a race at any time.”
Chamberlain, who suffered an injury at last year’s regional race, and Mills share their coaches’ optimism. “I think we’re going to have an awesome season,” said Mills, the reigning LEC runner of the year who earned an at-large NCAA berth last year.
“It would be a shame if we didn’t go. Everyone came back in good shape and is working hard,” said Chamberlain. “There’s a place at the nationals for Keene State.”
A solid group comprised of senior Amy Knoblock (Plymouth, Mass.), junior Andrea Walsh (Bolton, Conn.), and sophomore Maggie Fitter (Branford, Conn.) shouldn’t be too far behind. Juniors Haley Lydstone (Bedford, N.H.) and Natalie Ferro (Dennis, Mass.) are also in the running for a spot on the varsity. Molly Metiver, a freshman from Keene, has made an early impression and could help down the road.
While the Keene State women’s pack remains intact, the same can’t be said for the Owl men, who hit the trails minus Jared Samuel (Londonderry, N.H.) and Brandon Schillemat (Nelson, N.H.). KSC, ranked fourth in the New England preseason poll, could also be without senior Jeff Trethewey (Merrimack, N.H.). The Owls’ top returning runner is battling an Achilles tendon problem.
Looking to make amends for their disappointing 29th place finish at last year’s NCAA championship, the Owls expect to be led by Eric MacKnight, a senior from Newtown, Conn.
“Eric put in a lot of miles this summer and is ready to go,” said Thomas.
Senior Tim Pipp of New Ipswich, N.H., and Kevin Hoyt, a junior from Newtown, Conn., are expected to be KSC’s second and third runners respectively. Andrew Sears (Derry, N.H.), who ran with the varsity as a freshman last fall before missing the track season with an injury, and junior Corey Loonan (Sandwich, Mass.), who is coming off a stress fracture, hope to make up ground and join the lead pack.
Other varsity contenders include senior Dan Theleen (Southbury, Conn.), Chance Wilk (Burnt Hills, N.Y.), a sophomore transfer from George Mason University, and freshmen Ryan Widzgowski (Camden, Me.) and Chris Chapman (Groton, Conn.).
“Some people are going to have to run above expectations, especially if Trethewey doesn’t bounce back,” said Thomas.
The Owls, who kick off their season with their annual alumni meet on Sat., Sept 4, will race three times this season at Williams College. The course at Mt. Greylock Regional High School in Williamstown, Mass., will also be the site of this year’s New England NCAA regional race.
“I want to turn that into our home base,” said Thomas. “We need to run well on that course to get to the NCAAs, so I want them to feel as comfortable as possible.”
