XC Sweeps Conference Honors

Franciscan University’s Cross Country team was overwhelmingly recognized by the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference in postseason awarding for its 2010-11 season.

Head Coach Dan Kuebler was chosen as Coach of the Year for both men’s and women’s cross country in the AMCC. This is the third consecutive year Kuebler was named women’s coach of the year and the first year for the men’s sport.

Sophomore Bill Jones was named Conference Runner of the Year while also making the All-Conference team. Jones, from Oneida, Wisconsin, finished first in the 8K at the AMCC and ECAC championship races.

Freshman Joey Schlueter was recognized as Newcomer of the Year along with making All-Conference team. Schlueter is a member of the University’s ROTC program and hails from Salem, Oregon.

Joining Jones and Schlueter on the All-Conference team are Kevin LeRoy, Jack Kaiser, and Michael Gotta. The Barons defeated three-time defending champion Penn State-Behrend at the AMCC championship this year with a team score of 26.

For the Lady Baron cross country team, Nicole Krajewski was named Newcomer of the Year. Krajewski also placed first at the AMCC championship 5K and first at the ECAC championship 6K race. She is from Battle Creek, Michigan.

Making All-Conference team for the Lady Barons are Krajewski, Katherine Manion, Anna Scarnecchia, Kailey Gotta, Lexie Mathis, and Tessa Livermont. The team earned first place overall at the AMCC Championship this year and are now three-time defending conference champions.

The cross country team will be eligible for NCAA postseason competition next season. Both Jones and Krajewski, and potentially other teammates, could be eligible to advance to the NCAA national championship as well.