Weekend Alumni Report / Other Notable Names I've Missed / I Need A Better Title

By: Garrett Zatlin

Ernie Pitone, Senior, Widener
This guy currently has the NCAA #1 time with a HUGE 14:08 5k personal best! That's a school record and a time that could put him in the discussion to be a title contender.

John Lewis, Sophomore, Clemson
I mentioned last week that Lewis would need to break the 1:48 barrier if he wants to be in the discussion for national championship qualifying. Sure enough, he did just that at LSU this past weekend where he ran a killer time of 1:47.95 (NCAA #25) to place third overall.

Sam Ritz, Sophomore, Columbia
This guy is one of the more underrated PA alum at the division one level. He's following the footsteps of experienced miler Rob Napolitano and it's beginning to pay off after running a personal best time of 3:45 this past weekend.

I said it in my last article and I'll say it again...anything can happen in the 1500 at Regionals. If that race gets too tactical, Ritz could easily snag a spot to the Big Dance.

Dom Perretta, Freshman, Penn State
This kid just does not quit! After running a strong PR of 3:46 last weekend, Perretta came back to place 5th in an absolutely LOADED 800 field at the Virginia Challenge. His time (and PR) of 1:47.29 currently puts him at 13th in the nation!

Scott Mason, Junior, Connecticut College
The Lehigh transfer is beginning to find great success at the division three level after running a personal best time of 14:47 two weekends ago. That time currently places him at 36th in the NCAA.

Mason also threw down a personal best time of 9:17 steeplechase this past weekend at Larry Ellis which is an NCAA #12 time.

Jaryd Flank, Senior, Muhlenberg
In just his second race of the season, Flank ticked off a solid time of 9:10 to place himself at NCAA #3 among division three steeplechasers. Keep an eye out for this guy as the season progresses.

Addison Monroe, Junior, Lock Haven
In just two races this season, Monroe has two big personal bests of 14:34 (NCAA #34) and 29:44 (NCAA #13). This guy is at the top of his game and is one of the better long-distance PA alum we have.

Ryan Thompson, Senior, Slippery Rock
Two weekends ago, we saw Ryan Thompson throw down a lethal 3:46 (NCAA #10) at the Bison Outdoor Classic. Thompson stepped up this past indoor season and is showing that he is not some one-season wonder. Hopefully, we'll get to see Thompson and fellow PA alum Caleb Gatchell (NCAA #18 1500) match up before the end of the regular season.

Matt McGoey, Sophomore, Pittsburgh
What a season Matt McGoey is having! It took a year for the Pitt Panther to adjust to collegiate competition, but he has really come into his own with personal best times of 3:47.99 (1500), 14:22 (5k), and 9:05 (3kSt.) this season! He is becoming much more consistent and beginning to really take advantage of his fitness.

Ned Willig, Senior, Michigan
At Mnt. SAC, we saw Ned take the lead and control the pace against a field that was capable of running much faster. Ned finished with a solid 3:45, but left knowing that he could have run faster. At Jesse Owens, he wouldn't have the luxury of an elite 1500 field to push the pace. Willig got the win, but had to settle for yet another 3:45.

Willig is clearly fit and in great shape. He just needs to find the right race to run fast. Until then, I imagine he'll shift his focus to the 800 and attempt to run a fast time in that event.