Penn State Abington adds women's cross country as varsity sport

Penn State Abington has added a new varsity sport to its growing roster of athletics. Women’s cross-country began its inaugural season at the start of the fall semester.

According to head coach Jose Rodriguez, director of intercultural affairs, the women’s cross country team started practicing on Aug. 20 with seven upperclassmen. Another four to eight freshmen expressed interest in the varsity sport and hopefully will be joining the other women at practices and meets.

Rodriguez, a runner his whole adult life, brings much experience to his new coaching position. He was a track star at Allegany College during the late 1980s and he currently stays fit by running middle to long distance races, from 5ks to half marathons.

"I’m excited," said Rodriguez, "not only as a coach, but because I have a group of women putting themselves out there to establish a cross-country organization on campus. I keep telling them they’re the founders of this sport, the pioneers on campus for women’s cross country."

At 12:15 p.m., Sept. 26 at Fairmount Park, the cross-country women will be competing in the Philly Metro Cross Country Meet. For a complete listing of the women’s cross country schedule and meet results, visit http://www.abington.psu.edu/psasite/athletics/WXC/WXC-2009schedule.html online, or follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/abingtonwxc online.
 

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