SUCCESS BREEDS CONFIDENCE
CANTON — Wendy Pavlus doesn't know what path her senior season in cross country will take this year.
But it's certain that when the Tupper Lake native graduates in the spring from St. Lawrence University, she will be a much different person than she was when she first arrived on campus in the fall of 2007.
Pavlus, who won national titles in both cross country and indoor track and field for the Saints last year, started her college career as a state champion in high school, but she was a quiet individual. At one point, after losing a race to a Section 10 rival, she wondered if SLU still wanted her.
But as her senior year begins she's a bit more outspoken, a lot more confident and has her future planned.
"She's come out of her shell immensely over the last four years," said SLU coach Mike Howard. "(In the past) I had trouble getting her into my office to talk and now she pretty much lives here. She comes over and eats her lunch. She talks a lot more. She's far, far from being a cocky person. As an athlete, she has reason to have some of that bravado, because of how well she's done, but she really carries herself humbly."
Pavlus won the NCAA Division III title in cross country last season on a 5-kilometer course in Cleveland. She finished 17.8 seconds ahead of the defending national champion Marie Borner of Bethel (Minn.) College, becoming the first woman to win a national championship for SLU.
She followed that up with a national title in the 5,000 meters. She missed the outdoor championship event because she was studying abroad.
"I always hoped for (a national title), but it was something I thought if I worked hard, I had a chance at it," Pavlus said. "But I was never thinking it was definitely going to happen. I worked my butt off and I got there. It happened as a junior. I'm still in awe of it sometimes."
Pavlus was the state Division II champion in the steeplechase as a senior at Tupper Lake High School, but you'd have never known watching her after the race. She caught her breath, calmly walked off the track and was met by her coach, Amy Farrell, who gave her a big hug.
Farrell, an Ogdensburg native, was a former track and field athlete at SLU and is the complete opposite of Pavlus when it comes to personality.
"She is just like the biggest inspiration any athlete could ask for," Pavlus said. "She was just an amazing coach in high school. She always listened to my problems and everything, anything I had to say. If there was an issue she always helped me through it. It was just awesome to have her. She's such a fun person.
"It's good to have someone with a different personality than you. You can have days when you are just not feeling great as a runner, or as an athlete. That different personality can have a very different outlook on things. She is very good at reminding me of what I've done and just kind of helps kind of keep me focused. It's nice to have her just be so excited about things."
Pavlus will try to repeat as an individual champion this year and her team, which finished second a year ago, will be trying to add that title.
But when the time comes for her SLU career to end she plans to go to grad school at another NCAA Division III institution and become a social worker. She also would like to be a graduate assistant coach for a cross country or track and field team.
As far as running, Pavlus will be training with Farrell as the two plan to compete in marathons and perhaps attempt to reach the Olympic trials in 2012.
"I want to see how that goes," Pavlus said. "Amy Farrell just missed the Olympic B standard (2 hours, 47 minutes) for the marathon. I've always kind of dreamed of training with her after St. Lawrence and I am trying to hit that B standard."
Here is a look at the area four-year college's fall athletic teams:
CLARKSON
Outlook:The Golden Knights are looking to improve in both men's and women's soccer. Men's coach Nike Hillary enters his second season after enduring a winless conference year in 2009. Mark Secko returns as the team's top scorer. He had six goals and two assists last year. The women bring back Andrea Walsh who led the Golden Knights with two goals. Johan Dulfer looks to continue dominating as the volleyball head coach. Only three seniors departed last year from a talented squad.
Cross country
Coach:Jim Allott (5th season)
Golf
Coach:Bill Bergan
Men's soccer
Coach:Nick Hillary
2009 record:5-8-3 overall, 0-6-3 Liberty League
Roster:Saverino Spagnolo (So.), Scott Stuart (So.), Adam Lamoureux (So.), Sam Abate (Fr.), Andrew Ensinger (Sr.), Jeremy Toscano (Sr.), Steven Davis (Jr.), Todd Coleman (Jr.), Brian Buckner (Jr.), Daena Moulton (Jr.), Christopher Bates (Sr.), Brett Laudermilch (Sr.), Scott Desmond (Sr.), Mark Secko (Sr.), Kurt Knolle (Fr.), Elliott Carter (Jr.), Tobin Boomer (Jr.), Angelo DiFrancesco (Fr.), David Maiorino (Jr.), Nick Smith (Fr.), Jon Gacioch (Jr.), Justin White (Sr.), Matt Konecnik (Jr.), Graziano Spagnolo (Fr.), Vittorio Partesano (So.), Jacob Duff (Fr.), Eric Wright (So.), Bryan Malone (So.), Tyler Rodrigues (Fr.), Cody Sargood (Fr.).
Women's soccer
Coach:Laurel Kane
2009 record:2-11-2 overall, 1-6-0 Liberty League
Roster:Liz Snow (Fr.), Nicole Mendelson (Fr.), Katie VanDeValk (So.), Kathryn Swords (So.), Hilary Mosher (Jr.), Linde Zajac (So.), Ariana Czech (Sr.), Andrea Reidman (Fr.), Alix Petitti (Jr.), Nicole Johnson (So.), Sarah Andres (So.), Emily Garrant (Jr.), Emily Riggi (Fr.), Andrea Westervelt (Fr.), Andrea Walsh (Jr.), Caitlyn Hennessey (Fr.), Meryn Lounsbury (Sr.), Haley Swanson (Fr.), Marissa Cook (Fr.), Courtney Donovan (Sr.), Alyssa Dausman (Jr.), Stephanie Collins (Sr.).
Volleyball
Coach:Johan Dulfer
2009 record:28-7 overall
Roster:Alison Schroeder (Sr.), Lani Durio (Fr.), Courtney Haines (So.), Sara Artus (Jr.), Jessica Agnew (Sr.), Kim Duck (Fr.), Erika Chin (Fr.), Holly McDaniel (Fr.), Nicole Edwards (Jr.), Rachel Simons (Jr.), Amanda Rankin (Sr.), Megan Mahon (Jr.).
ST. LAWRENCE
Outlook:The Saints will be a power once again in cross country with 2009 national champion Wendy Pavlus back for her senior season. She is the first individual national champion in school history, racking up several awards along the way. Bob Durocher welcomes back 12 players to his soccer team, which managed only two wins in the Liberty League. Men's soccer should improve in conference this season and be more competitive. The same can be said for women's soccer, which mustered two conference wins last year. The Tennis team was impressive last year with plenty of talent returning. Combined, the men and women won 25 of its 36 matches. The volleyball powerhouse returns with high expectations as well and will continue to match Clarkson's prowess. Last year, volleyball was a whopping 22 games over .500.
Men's cross country
Coach:John Newman
Roster:Alex Calderwood (Jr.), Landen Elliott-Knaggs (So.), Chris Funch (Sr.), Andrew Goodwin (Jr.), Tyler Harris (So.), Seth Jackson (Jr.), John Johnston (Jr.), Steve Kiplagat (Jr.), Joshua LeBlanc (Sr.), Timothy Liponis (Jr.), Kevin Machia (Jr.), James Mayers (Sr.), Will Mosenthal (Jr.), Jeremy Mwenda (Sr.), Mark Perlman (So.), Sam Rakoc (So.), Dan Ramsey (Sr.), Andrew Sargrad (Jr.), Ian Schofield (Sr.).
Women's cross country
Coach:Mike Howard
Roster:Elizabeth Atwood (Sr.), Megan Derby (Sr.), Cassie DiMarino (Jr.), Elizabeth Edwards (Jr.), Jenna Hulton (Jr.), Jenny Kaagan (Jr.), Rachel Kuklinski (So.), Jackie Lemme (So.), Katrina Loignon (Sr.), Abigail Macbeth (Jr.), Andrea Maynard (So.), Alexis Nuffer (Gr.), Erikka Nuffer (So.), McKayla Nuffer (Jr.), Megan Nuffer (So.), Wendy Pavlus (Sr.), Caroline Raue (So.), Melanie Solandt (Jr.).
Men's golf
Coach:Mary Lawrence
Roster:Kyle Anderson (Fr.), Adrian Bouthot (So.), Jeff Duggan (Fr.), Tommy Ferguson (Fr.), John Harris (Fr.), Joe Millett (Jr.), Ren O'Connor (So.), George Steers (Fr.), Ben von Reyn (Sr.).
Women's golf
Coach:Mary Lawrence
Roster:Kristin Berretta (Sr.), Aimee Coligiore (Fr.), Cait Cunningtham (Sr.), Caroline Cushman (So.), Kerrin Ehrensbeck (Fr.), Beth Kessenich (So.), Alair Muzzatti (Jr.), Molly Patterson (So.), Melissa Snizek (So.).
Men's soccer
Coach:Bob Durocher
2009 record:8-6-1 overall, 2-5-0 Liberty League
Roster:Nate Goss-Woliner (Fr.), Will Congdon (Fr.), Mike Manfredi (So.), Emmanuel Mbong (Sr.), Sam DeMello (Fr.), Daena Moulton (So.), Brendan Gorman (So.), Brian Gilloran (Fr.), Dan Casserly (So.), James Stewart (Jr.), Dan Marvin (So.), Shaka Pilgrim (Fr.), Alex Laird (Fr.), Alex Soto (So.), Sean Scott (So.), Tyler McCune (So.), Drew Harness (So.), JJ Tipton (Fr.), Brenton Jones (Fr.), Brian Abernethy (So.).
Women's soccer
Coach:Franco Bari
2009 record:9-6-2 overall, 2-4-1 Liberty League
Roster:Abby van Geldern (So.), Amanda Chase (So.), Alexandra Smith (Fr.), Renee Hillbrunner (So.), Katherine Polido (So.), Kristen Newton (So.), Aimee Beauchane (Fr.), Alexandra Troli (Fr.), Marcelle Justison (So.), Brooke Hessney (Fr.), Josie Ambrosini (Fr.), Laura Stewart (Fr.), Kristina Peso (So.), Betsy Lucas (So.), Danielle Durocher (Fr.), Stephanie Sayward (Fr.), Devon Shatkin (So.), Elena Rogers (So.), Emily Marvin (Fr.).
Men's tennis
Coach:Jeremy Freeman
2009 record:13-6 overall
Roster:Will Cook (Sr.), Ren Gates (Sr.), Michael Hayden (So.), Phillip Jackley (So.), Christopher Rogers (Jr.), Thomas Timpone (So.), Tony Wilkey Jr. (Sr.).
Women's tennis
Coach:Jeremy Freeman
2009 record:12-5
Roster:Victoria Ault (Sr.), Paige Cohen (Sr.), Barry Edgar (Jr.), Stephanie Finn (Sr.), Elizabeth Geer (So.), Whitney Hubbell (So.), Shannon Murphy (So.), Justine Rusk (So.), Amanda Ryan (So.), Sara Willett (Jr.).
Volleyball
Coach:Shelly Roiger
2009 record:30-8
Roster:Katherine Pierce (Jr.), Jordyn Buzza (Sr.), Abigail Rose (Sr.), Alison Limoncelli (Jr.), Christina Robichaud (Fr.), Kayla Twardzik (So.), Anna Kassab (Fr.), Katie Prue (Fr.), Claire Kelly (Fr.), Nyasha Miller (Jr.), Jessica Dudek (Fr.), Liz Grogan (Jr.), Lauren Drozynski (Sr.), Marta Johann (Jr.).
SUNY POTSDAM
Cross country
Coach:Peter Cutler
Golf
Coach:Rick Berkman
Men's soccer
Coach:Adam Parker
2009 record:3-12-1 overall, 1-8 SUNYAC
Roster:Tim Ciampa (Sr.), Jon Reeves (Sr.), Billy Sahler (Jr.).
Women's soccer
Coach:Tim Moody
2009 record:8-9-1 overall, 0-8-1 SUNYAC
Roster:Kelsey Butz (Sr.), Kathleen Frear (Jr.), Alissa Tischler (Jr.), Cortney Poirier (Sr.).
Volleyball
Coach:Steve Pike
SUNY CANTON
Outlook:The men's and women's soccer programs continue to produce successful seasons. Coaches Mark Howlett and Kate Thomas-Moody will lean on the upper classmen while a talented crop of incoming freshman adjust to the college ranks. Justin Martin and Repton Abrahams are the only two seniors on the men's soccer team. Aubrey Parrish is the lone senior on the women's team, while junior Emily Bush returns for her junior season.
Cross country
Coach:John Kennedy
Men's soccer
Coach:Mark Howlett
2009 record:10-6-2 overall, 8-3-2 Sunrise Conference
Roster:Homero Flores (Jr.), Dan Brown (Fr.), Coal Campbell (So.), Nick Leszezynski (So.), Justin Martin (Sr.), James Catillaz (So.), Moubarak Agoro (Jr.), James Purvis (So.), Chris Cumella (So.), Repton Abrahams (Sr.), Jordan Saunders (So.), Darren Ross (So.), Nick Reddick (Fr.), Josh Harvey (Fr.), Colby Young (Fr.), James St. Vestril (So.), Dennis Frost (So.), Matt Teeple (Fr.), Hubert Oteng (Fr.), Jesse Montanye (Fr.), Loocken Vixama (So.), Rob Shane (Fr.), William Glebus (Fr.), John Jones (So.).
Women's soccer
Coach:Kate Thomas-Moody
2009 record:10-9 overall, 8-4 Sunrise Conference
Roster:Ricci Celia (So.), Danielle DeCelles (So.), Megan Palermo (So.), Carissa Clark (Fr.), Jamie Gravelding (Fr.), Sannon O'Connor (Fr.), Angie Waryasz (So.), Kirsten Skelly (So.), Molly O'Connor (Fr.), Kirsten Morley (So.), Emily Bush (Jr.), Chelsea Allen (So.), Aubrey Parrish (Sr.), Katlyn Hart (Fr.), Bailey Allen (So.), Stephanie Clark (So.), Gina Campoverde (Fr.), Jackie Sedlacek (So.), Holli-Jo Cota (Fr.).
