Wrapping up Paul Short: Clarification and crunching numbers

Coach Emeritus Phil Kelly left me a voice message earlier today to point out that we finished 19th in the women's race at Paul Short in 2001, which would be our best finish at the meet in school history. Back in 2001, there was a Championship (varsity) race and an Open (non-varsity/unattached) race. Our 20th-place finish from yesterday represents the best finish in school history since the meet switched to its multiple race format -- Brown, Gold, White, Open, etc. -- several years ago.

Such a clarification is important to note, since the fine history of our program needs to be remembered and honored. In his message, Phil acknowledged that the performances from this year's team were probably superior to that 2001 showing. But no matter; the teams back in that era were wonderful, and we have fond memories of the fantastic athletes and young ladies we had in our team back in that time. Most of those athletes were part of MAAC championship efforts in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2004.

Anyway ... back to 2012 ... while on the subject of history ... here is some number crunching with regard to individual times. Now, when comparing times from year to year in cross country, it is always tricky as weather and course conditions vary from season to season. As noted previously, Paul Short is almost always a true slop-fest, although I do remember a few years in which the conditions were favorable for fast times -- 2009 is the most recent, if I am remembering correctly.

With that in mind, and with my penchant to sometimes have some gaps in memory when regarding history, here are yesterday's results, along with past years' results for each individual, with each individual's Paul Short personal-best time highlighted in BOLD.
Men’s individual results, Gold Race (8,000 meters)
88. Arquimedes DelaCruz 25:21 (25:20, 2011; 26:01, 2010; 25:29, 2009)

103. Ken Walshak 25:29 (26:05, 2011; 25:25, 2010)

112. Ryan Colabella 25:33 (debut)

137. John Lee 25:47 (debut)

163. Mark Valentino 25:56 (27:37, 2011)

167. Joel Moss 25:57 (26:53, 2011; 27:07, 2010; 27:20, 2009)

174. Patrick Rynkowski 25:59 (debut)

310. Ryan Scrudato 27:35 (27:27, 2010)

317. Mark Vuono 27:53 (debut)

Men’s individual results, Open Race (8,000 meters)

35. Nick Salek 26:06 (27:55, 2011)

69. Ty Gamble 26:35 (debut)

70. Mike Nicoletti 26:36 (27:18, 2011; 27:00, 2010; 26:39, 2009)

80. Ian Dorset 26:42 (27:45, 2011)

89. Kevin O’Sullivan 26:46 (27:47, 2011; 26:59, 2010)

93. Mike Keegan 26:49 (26:51, 2011; 27:23, 2009)

94. Charlie Ropes 26:50 (debut)

104. Billy Hild 26:54 (debut)

109. Justin Tampellini 26:57 (26:38, 2011)

129. Tommy Lappas 27:11 (29:09, 2011)

131. Chris Reynolds 27:19 (debut)

146. David Marthy 27:22 (debut)

176. Matt Panebianco 27:39 (27:59, 2011; 28:07, 2010; 26:56, 2009)

186. Nick Hughes 27:48 (26:43, 2010)

189. Will Schanz 27:49 (debut)

199. Isaiah Miller 27:53 (debut)

224. Omar Perez 28:11 (debut)

270. Ricky Willi 28:47 (debut)

Women’s individual results, Gold Race (6,000 meters)

60. Michelle Gaye 21:37 (22:04, 2011)

114. Kristen Traub 22:12 (debut)

144. Erin Thompson 22:30 (23:05, 2011)

154. Katie Messina 22:36 (23:15, 2011; 22:57, 2010; 22:44, 2009)

197. Christine Coughlin 22:56 (debut)

214. Rebecca Denise 23:08 (23:51, 2011; 24:38, 2010)

237. Nicki Nesi 23:20 (debut)

271. Erin O’Reilly 23:45 (24:11, 2011; 23:06, 2010; 23:02, 2009)

301. Brianna Freestone 24:09 (23:22, 2011)

311. Rachel Bremer 24:19 (debut)

Women’s Individual results, Open Race (6,000 meters)

25. Kathryn Sheehan (unattached) 22:36 (23:43, 2010; 21:43, 2009; 22:12, 2008)

119. Jackie Gamboli 24:23 (24:13, 2011; 23:03, 2009)

146. Kelley Gould 24:49 (24:28, 2010)

153. Tara Nuccitelli 24:56 (24:37, 2011; 25:18, 2010)

175. Annie Gould 25:17 (debut)

192. Rachel Lichtenwalner 25:42 (26:18, 2011; 27:20, 2010)

238. Catherine Ferreri 26:55 (debut)

239. Lizzy Peper 26:59 (debut)