Head Coach:

Sean Cleary (10th Year)

 

Last Year:

2nd Big 12

4th Mid-Atlantic Region

24th NCAA

 

Probable Top Five:

SR Allison Lasnicki (9:33 3k; 15:59 5k; 33:36 10k; 73rd NCAA XC '12)

SO Jillian Forsey (9:35 3k; 16:02 5k)

FR Amelia Paladino (4:43 Mile; 2x Footlocker Finalist 11th, 30th)

JR Kelly Williams (126th NCAA XC '13)

SR Savanna Plombon (9:37 3k; 16:46 5k)

 

Impact Freshman/Recruits:

Amelia Paladino - University, WV (4:43 Mile; 2x Footlocker Finalist 11th, 30th)

 

Analysis: 
Most successful coaches find a niche school or a favorite recruiting area to harness talent. Coach Sean Cleary has clearly (sorry about that, couldn’t resist), found it in his spot in eastern Canada.

 

The Lady Mountaineers were 24th last year and should improve on that just slightly this year. No big stars on this team, but there are solid performers who have a nice combination of experience and youthful talent to challenge the Big 12 and the Mid- Atlantic Region.

The number one girl will most likely be Allison Lasnicki, who didn’t run cross last year for WVU, but recorded a nice 33:36 10k on the track, and her 2012 placing of 73rd is likely to be better than that this year. Sophomore Jillian Forsey, who has to be the best female runner in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, showed her capability with a 16:02 5k on the track. She won the Canadian junior cross championship in 2012 and is a top cross country skier, so questioning her endurance is probably not a good idea. She is probably hoping for snow in Terre Haute.Kelly Williams was the second WVU girl across the line last year at the NCAA and probably raced a bit above herself with her 126th spot. If she can make that happen again, she will be a solid scorer again for the Lady Mountaineers.

 

Number one newcomer, Amedia Paladino, from Sean Cleary’s backyard at University High School in Morgantown, has a 4:43 mile and two NXN experiences under her belt. A nice local impact runner for WVU, she could very well end up being a scorer as a freshman.

There are lots of hills to run up and down in Morgantown. Great prep for the girls of West Virginia. They will most likely not be intimidated by the tough course in Indiana. 

#20 Florida State Men
#21 Utah Women