Marist head men’s cross country and track coach Pete Colaizzo announced the addition of eight student athletes who will attend Marist in the fall of 2007. The class consists of Adam Vess (Cromwell, Conn.), Nick Webster (Latham), John Reilly (Queens), Timothy Keegan (Huntington), Sam McMullen (Newton, N.J.), Zak Smetana (Schenectady), Patrick Duggan (Rockville Centre) and Michael Holinko (Belle Mead, N.J.). Full Story
Vess comes to Marist following a decorated scholastic career in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. He won the Nike Outdoor Nationals, posting a meet-record time of 14:38.18 in the 5k. He holds the record in the Connecticut State Open with a time of 9:00.21 in the 3,200 meters. In indoor track, he was state and New England champion in the mile, and he also qualified for the Millrose Games in the mile. Vess was also conference champion and runner-up in the state and New England meets in cross country. His uncle, Dave Swift, is a 1995 Marist graduate who was also a school-record holder and lead runner. Another uncle, Stephen Swift, was an All-American runner at William and Mary who was Vess’ high school coach.
Colaizzo on Vess: “We’re thrilled to have Adam here. While he is obviously a swift runner, he more importantly brings a strong work ethic in his training. His old-school, mileage-based philosophy fits in perfectly with what we are trying to accomplish.”
Webster was ranked as high as fourth in the state and fifth in the Northeast in cross country. He placed 10th at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships in the 5k, and was an Albany Times-Union All-Star in both cross country and outdoor track last year. He also placed second in Class AA Sectionals in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:47.
Reilly took second place in the New York City championships last year in cross country, and is an eight-time Brooklyn/Queens champion. He has personal bests of 4:23 in the 1,600 and 8:47 in the 3,200.
Keegan took third place at the Eastern State Championships in cross country, finishing 2.5 miles at Van Cortlandt Park in 12:59. He won the 3,200 meters at the NYCHSAA meet, and competed in the Millrose Games as a member of 3,200-meter relay team. Keegan was an all-state selection in cross country as a senior.
McMullen was named First Team All-League in cross country and track last year. He had second-place finishes in sectionals in both cross country and the 3,200 meters. He won the Coach’s Award in 2005 and 2007.
Smetana is a former soccer player who did not start running cross country until his junior year. He ran in Nike Indoor Nationals each of the last two years in the 4 x mile, and ran at Nike Outdoor Nationals in the 4 x mile relay this year.
Duggan was the third leg of his high school’s 4 x mile relay that broke a school record which had stood for 30 years. He was an All-Division and All-Conference selection in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, and was also a state qualifier in cross country.
Holinko is his high school’s record holder in the 3,200-meter relay, distance medley relay and 4 x mile relay. He was a two-time all-conference selection in cross country and also was an all-country selection in indoor track as a senior.
Colaizzo on his recruiting class: “I’m excited to work with this group of incoming men. They are all very driven individuals who hope to be part of our future success. We are excited they have decided to come run with the Running Red Foxes.”
Athletic Department to hold barbecue
The Marist Athletics Department, in conjunction with the Red Fox Club, will hold its annual Barbecue-on-the-Hudson on Friday, Sept. 7 on the banks of the Hudson River at the Marist boathouse. The Marist coaching staff and the men’s and women’s basketball teams will be on hand to kick off another exciting season of Marist athletics.
The goals of this event are to increase community interest in Marist Athletics and to encourage new members to join the Red Fox Club. The club had the highest number of members in its 26-year history last year. Red Fox Club members enjoy season ticket privileges, priority parking, access to the Red Fox Den and special events, tickets to the Holiday Festival Tournament at Madison Square Garden and more.
The evening begins with a social hour at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m. featuring London broil, grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, salad, vegetables, desserts and beverages. The cost is $25 per person. Reservations are required.
Reserve your spot by calling the Marist Ticket Office at 575-3553 or by downloading and returning the reservation form below by Aug. 31.