1) What made you come to Lebanon Valley College?  Where did you come from and how did you hear about our institution?

The PT program is what got me interested in coming to LVC.   I am from a small town called Milton in Central PA.  I heard about the PT program from my high school guidance counselor, and after only one visit, I knew this was the place I wanted to go to.

2) What is your major and why did you choose it?

I am a physical therapy major and psychology minor.   After my experience of receiving PT as a young child, I thought that I wanted to help people and work in a similar facility.  After observing at the local PT pediatric clinic in town, I knew I wanted to work with kids and treat them through PT.

3) What do you plan on doing upon graduation with your degree?

After graduation, I would like to work in a pediatric hospital or outpatient setting.

4) What is your favorite part about being a member of the LVC cross country program?

My favorite part of being a member of the LVC XC program would be the family-like bond we all share.  The whole team is like a big group of brothers and sisters where everyone works together and helps each other out. 

5) What is your favorite type of workout?  Is there any one particular workout that you can remember that was challenging but made you a better runner for it?

My favorite workouts would be the Quittie Park Runs because it is a cool and relaxing place to run with the team and is always an adventure.  The track and hills workouts were always a challenge for me.  However, they really helped me to improve my speed and my final push in the end of the races.

6) What are your short term and long-term running-related goals, both team and individual?

This year, I would like to see our team beat Messiah again at MACs for the second year in a row .  Also, I would like to improve upon my PRs I set last season as well as complete a season with no injuries :)

7) What hobbies, sports or other leisure time activities do you enjoy most?

Ienjoy spending a lot of time with my family and friends in my spare time.  I also enjoy waterskiing during the summer and taking pictures.

8) What is your favorite type of food?

My favorite foods are Chinese and seafood.  I also have a major sweet tooth for anything chocolate :)

9) What makes you unique?  Do you have any special talents or something else that you'd like to share that others would find interesting?

Some things that people don't know about me are that I am left-handed, I've been in ballet for 13 years, and I have water-skied since I was 7.  Also, I have traveled to New Zealand for 4 months, but I guess that's not too unique since the other captains have done so also. :)

10) Why should a high school junior or senior take a more serious look at LVC?

A high school junior or senior should take a serious look at LVC because it's a small private school where students are provided with a lot of one on one attention in and out of the classroom.  Also, it has a wide variety of majors, clubs, and activities to satisfy almost every person's interest.

1) What made you come to Lebanon Valley College?  Where did you come from and how did you hear about our institution?

I am from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and I went to Cedar Cliff High School.  I first heard about LVC when I came here for an indoor track meet when I was a freshman in high school.  I remember specifically being surprised at how nice the sports center was and I was also pleased with the campus. 

A year later, my sister transferred to LVC and loved every minute of it.  When I was looking for schools, I wanted something close, small, and I was hoping to continue my running career.  When I came to visit, I felt like it was the right place for me and I knew I could definitely spend the next 4 years here. 

2) What is your major and why did you choose it?

I am a Business Administration major here at LVC.  Although I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do when I was older, I knew that the business field was versatile, practical, and would allow me to have options in the future. 

3) What do you plan on doing upon graduation with your degree?

At this point, I hope to continue my education and eventually get a master’s degree.  If this is not an option immediately after LVC, I would like to get a job in the central Pennsylvania area and continue to build my resume. 

4) What is your favorite part about being a member of the LVC cross country program?

My favorite part about being on the LVC cross country team is the friendships I have made.  This team has a great family-feel and everybody genuinely enjoys helping the team and competing at a high level. 

5) What is your favorite type of workout?  Is there any one particular workout that you can remember that was challenging but made you a better runner for it?

Typically, my favorite type of workout is off the track and preferably on a trail of some sort.  I usually tend to enjoy longer threshold workouts. 

One of my favorite workouts was just this past cross country season.  Around the middle of the season, we took a trip out to Mt. Gretna to do a workout on the rail trail.  The long distance guys did a 2 by 5 mile tempo run.  We went out 5 miles and had a 10 minute rest, then ran back 5 miles all at a very solid pace.  This workout was very difficult and definitely very hard on the body.  It was one of those workouts where I looked back and felt accomplished because it was one of the longest and toughest workouts I have ever completed. 

6) What are your short term and long term running-related goals, both team and individual

At this point in my running career, I hope to continue to get better as a runner.  This season, I want to break 28:15 and hopefully get into the top 45 at MAC’s.  My goal as a captain is to lead this team to success on and off the course.  This team will definitely turn some heads this year. 

7) What hobbies, sports or other leisure time activities do you enjoy most?

On my free time I like to watch and play sports, hang out with my friends, and listen to music.  I golf, mountain bike, and play tennis, basketball, and ping pong as much as I can.  My friends are a big part of my life. Typically we just hang out and watch sports together.  I am always up for trying new things. 

8) What is your favorite type of food?

I am a huge fan of desserts and especially chocolate desserts.  I have the worst sweet tooth which is a blessing and a curse.  If you don’t know me you will quickly learn that I need to have my chocolate fix a few times a day. 

9)  What makes you unique?  Do you have any special talents or something else that you'd like to share that others would find interesting?

I feel like I am unique in many ways.  I try my hardest to live my life to the fullest every day.  My Grandpa was always smiling and was known for being a family man who cared for everyone and lived his life the right way.  So if I can be a quarter of the man my Grandpa was I feel like I have succeeded in life. 

Someday I would really like to be a reality T.V. star.  So when I graduate I will probably try to be on an MTV show of some kind. 

10)  Why should a high school junior or senior take a more serious look at LVC?

Any high school student should look seriously at LVC because it has a lot to offer.  LVC takes pride in a high level of academics with a very well respected athletic program.  If you want to get a great education while competing in a sport and make great friends, then LVC would be the choice for you.       

1) What made you come to Lebanon Valley College?  Where did you come from and how did you hear about our institution?

I went to Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA.  My first experience with LVC was in the summer going into my junior year in high school, when I attended the annual music camp.

I applied to several different institutions for piano performance because I was passionate about getting into the field of music industry.  The only problem was, I heard time and time again that it would have been very difficult for me to pick up a second major in business, much less compete collegiately, at these institutions.  

2) What is your major and why did you choose it?

3) What do you plan on doing upon graduation with your degree?

During the spring semester of my junior year, I created a business plan for a music industry-oriented social gaming company.  I am going to see this plan put into action after college, but also get into .  After a few years, I would like to go back to school for a masters degree, and possibly teach/ coach distance running in college.  

4) What is your favorite part about being a member of the LVC cross country program?

5) What is your favorite type of workout?  Is there any one particular workout that you can remember that was challenging but made you a better runner for it?

6) What are your short term and long term running-related goals, both team and individual?

7) What hobbies, sports or other leisure time activities do you enjoy most?

Mint CC/ Cookies and Cream Ice Cream, the ultimate post-race desert.

9)  What makes you unique?  Do you have any special talents or something else that you'd like to share that others would find interesting?

I love experiencing new things with others and being able to know what its like, so I can be more open and relate to others who have had similar experiences, or made them a major part of thier life.  All my life I have been proving myself against the odds, which has been a major aspect of who I am since the day I was born.  I was initially not accepted into the music program here at LVC because I failed the singing portion of the audition.  I was already accepted into the four other colleges I applied for, but I felt my college search would not be complete without being accepted into all the music programs I applied for.  So I took up vocal lessons and scheduled another time to re-audition instead of letting it go.  Without that mentality, I wouldn't have recieved an acceptance letter to LVC in April, would've never came to LVC, and wouldn't be writing on this blog today.  

10)  Why should a high school junior or senior take a more serious look at LVC?

1) What made you come to Lebanon Valley College?  Where did you come from and how did you hear about our institution?

I come from the wonderful city of Sunbury, Pennsylvania and graduated from Shikellamy high school.  My uncle Rory played football for LVC and my mom really enjoyed the campus when the family came to watch his games, so she encouraged me to at least take a look at the school.  LVC had everything I wanted in a school: small class sizes, a strong biology program, and division III track; however, I didn’t really fall in love with LVC until I was on my tour.  I had a wonderful tour guide and I just got a good feeling from the school.    

2) What is your major and why did you choose it?

My major is biology and I chose it because I had a few amazing biology teachers in high school who really sparked my interest in the subject.  It’s such a diverse and fascinating field that I knew I would stay interested.  Also, I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do as far as a career, but I knew bio would give me a lot of different options and directions that I could go in after graduation and still be very likely to find a job. 

3) What do you plan on doing upon graduation with your degree?

I plan on attending graduate school to become a nurse practitioner; I'm hoping to specialize in acute-care pediatrics.    

4) What is your favorite part about being a member of the LVC cross country program?

 I really love the atmosphere of the entire program.  There is so much support and team spirit within these two teams it’s fantastic.  I’ve never been a part of a program where the athletes are so friendly and helpful towards one another.  I have made some of my closest friends through this program and I doubt that my college experience would have been nearly as enjoyable without cross country.  There is a wonderful partnership between the coaches and athletes that really makes this program a success and an enjoyable experience for all.

5) What is your favorite type of workout?  Is there any one particular workout that you can remember that was challenging but made you a better runner for it?

I really enjoy shorter, faster track workouts.  I'll admit I'm not an overly strong cross country athlete so I feel much more comfortable doing track work than longer runs.  But if I had to choose a workout more cross country oriented then I would probably say hill repeats are my favorite.  I would say the 6-4-2-2 workout from this past season was a rather tough one, especially while trying to keep up with Cynthia.

6) What are your short term and long term running-related goals, both team and individual?

Well, let’s start with team goals.  Short term I would really love the team to be ranked regionally again this season and have another top-two finish at MACs.  I think a good goal for the team in the long term would be to eventually win MACs and place high enough at regionals to make it to nationals as a team.  I think we have a very talented group of young runners who can easily make this goal a reality.  Individually in the short term I would just like to be a top five finisher for the team and help score some points.  As for the long term I would really like to provisionally qualify for nationals for track and maybe one day (in the very long term) run a marathon.

7) What hobbies, sports or other leisure time activities do you enjoy most?

I really enjoy playing soccer on the occasion I still get the chance to.  Watching football is one of my favorite Sunday afternoon activities as well.  I used to play the piano quite a bit when I was younger and would really love to pick that back up again once I have a little more time in my schedule.

8) What is your favorite type of food?

 This is a tough one I love food so much, but if I had to choose I would say either sushi or Italian would be my favorite type.  They are both delicious, but in completely different ways.

9)  What makes you unique?  Do you have any special talents or something else that you'd like to share that others would find interesting?

Well, standing at an impressive 4'10" and 3/4 I'm a mere 3/4 of an inch above being a legal midget.  Another fun fact is that I'm half blind.  So if you're ever in need of a half blind almost-midget, I'm your girl.    

10)  Why should a high school junior or senior take a more serious look at LVC?

Brad Sweigart

Alex Talarico

Rising sophomore Alex Talarico had a very solid first year campaign, posting strong personal bests of 28:54 for 8K during cross country and 4:15.5 for 1500 during the track season.  Not one to necessarily demand the spotlight, Alex has the strong ability to bring people together and will look to do so in an official capacity during his first season as a captain.

Jenn Cronin

NCAA qualifier, defending NCAA Mideast-Regional Runner of the Year, and two-time MAC bronze medalist, Jenn Cronin returns for her senior campaign as the most decorated female distance runner in school history.  Posting a strong personal best of 21:39 for 6K, and holding 7 current school records for track and field (with a study-abroad semester during the spring of her junior year), she returns as one of the strongest runners in the region and looks to turns things up a notch for her senior campaign.  Jenn leads a young but very formidable team looking to make its mark in 2010.

Megan Long

In just her first season running cross country, Megan Long finished with 1^st-Team All-MAC honors and four top ten finishes during regular season invitationals.  Megan is also one of the most decorated female distance runners in school history, with her name splashed all over the Top-10 Record Book for track & field (and she has to get the record for the most 2^nd places!).  With a year of experience under her belt, she looks to provide one of the strongest 1-2 punches around along with Jenn, and should be a contender on the regional level as well. 

What made you come to Lebanon Valley College?  Where did you come from and how did you hear about our institution?

What is you major and why did you choose it?

What do you plan on doing upon graduation with your degree?

What is your favorite part about being a member of the LVC cross country program?

What is your favorite type of workout?  Is there any one particular workout that you can remember that was challenging but made you a better runner for it?

    I like the workouts where we go on normal runs and can talk the whole time!  Of course, threshold runs and interval workouts are challenging but worth all the work in the end. 

What are your short term and long term running related goals, both team and individual? 

    A short term goal for myself is to run a strong 6k at the Paul Short meet and to have our team place well.  As for long term, I hope the team and myself run our best times at Regionals.

What hobbies, sports, or other leisure time activities do you enjoy most?

    I participate in track and field during the winter and spring months.  I also enjoy swimming and biking.

What’s your favorite type of food?

What makes you unique?  Do you have any special talents or something else that you’d like to share that others would find interesting?

Why should a high school junior or senior take a more serious look at LVC?

What made you come to Lebanon Valley College?  Where did you come from and how did you hear about our institution?

What is you major and why did you choose it?  What do you plan on doing upon graduation with your degree?

    I am a German Major. I chose German because I always enjoyed speaking and learning German in High School. I decided that I would enjoy teaching German myself.  I plan on finding a teaching job somewhere in the area.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the LVC cross country program?

What is your favorite type of workout?  Is there any one particular workout that you can remember that was challenging but made you a better runner for it?

What are your short term and long term running related goals, both team and individual? 

What hobbies, sports, or other leisure time activities do you enjoy most?    

What’s your favorite type of food?

Why should a high school junior or senior take a more serious look at LVC?

 What made you come to Lebanon Valley College?  Where did you come from and how did you hear about our institution?

What is you major and why did you choose it?

What do you plan on doing upon graduation with your degree?

What is your favorite part about being a member of the LVC cross country program?

    The best part of the LVC XC team is definitely the friendships that we share and the camaraderie that we have as a team.  Both the men and women’s teams not only practice and compete together but also are very close as groups.  Since we are a smaller team, we often know everything that is going on in each others lives and this makes it a lot like a family.  For the guys our team has been known to have some dinners that last an hour to an hour and a half where we sit and talk about whatever is going on and postpone our studies for as long as possible.  The seniors that graduated last year did a great job in building team unity and I only hope that the upperclassmen can continue that this year. 

What is your favorite type of workout?  Is there any one particular workout that you can remember that was challenging but made you a better runner for it?

What are your short term and long term running related goals, both team and individual? 

What hobbies, sports, or other leisure time activities do you enjoy most?

What's your favorite type of food?

What makes you unique?  Do you have any special talents or something else that you’d like to share that others would find interesting?

Why should a high school junior or senior take a more serious look at LVC?