YORK, Pa. – The York College women’s cross country team begins the 2010 campaign with quite possibly their strongest squad ever.

New head coach Erick Camodeca opens his tenure at the helm of the program, looking for an exceptional year.

“The women's team has all the tools in place to be very successful this season. I am hoping my guidance and encouragement will take them to the next level,” Camodeca said. “Looking at the talent and depth of this team I feel this team should be able to compete for a Conference Championship or at least distance themselves from other teams by a significant amount. There is a strong possibility we can have four women finish all-conference.”

One of those such student-athletes is senior Melody Parshall who returns to the Spartan lineup as she completes her student-teaching requirements this fall.

“Melody will be student-teaching this year and still has a semester of eligibility remaining for cross country,” Camodeca said. “Getting Melody back for another year is like getting that unexpected athlete who shows up and immediately contributes to the team.”

That is a major boost to a program that seems to be making strides at turning the page on a new era of success on the women’s side of the course.

Melody Parshall will look to improve as the Spartan leader. Parshall finished ninth at last seasons conference meet.

The rest of the Spartans’ deep squad will be led by fellow returners Corie Thompson and Tuesday Wilson.

Thompson, the 2008 CAC Rookie-of-the-Year, ended her 2009 CAC campaign with her second consecutive All-CAC selection with a 15th place finish at the conference championships.

Wilson enters her sophomore campaign after a stunning freshman year. She finished one spot out of an All-CAC selection with a 16th place finish at the 2009 CAC Championships and with a strong offseason should challenge for a top-spot this year.
   
Newcomer Mandy Parshall, Melody’s sister, embarks on her cross country career after playing two seasons on the Spartan women’s basketball squad and quickly becoming one of the conference’s top distance athletes on the track. She is the defending 2009 and 2010 CAC Champion in both the 800m and 1500m distance events.
 
“Getting Melody back for another year solidifies our top-four with Tuesday, Corie, and Mandy Parshall,” Camodeca said. “All of them have the capability to be our number one on any given day. As far as leadership it is a lead by example group. Any of our junior or senior women can be a leader on this squad.”

Camodeca will also look to newcomers Heather Schaeffer and Abby Peller to propel the Green and White to new levels this season.

“Heather Schaeffer looks to be our wild card this year. She already possesses the drive and attitude we look for in our athletes,” Camodeca said. “Once Abby Peller returns to action we are going to be very dangerous heading into CAC’s.”

Veterans Laura Colantuono, Claudia Hess, Chelsea McCracken, Olivia Schleicher, and Amy Stickle give York outstanding depth and experience while newcomer Nicole Danielewicz provides even more quality to the Spartan squad.

The Spartan first year head coach has high hopes for the women’s team this season.

“I think they would like to be known as the best women's team in our programs history,” Camodeca said. “I think establishing a reputation and tradition of being a strong women's team from year to year is our long term goal.”

With high expectations for themselves and as a team the women’s cross country team will open the season at the Green Terror Challenge, hosted by McDaniel College on September 11. The start time is slated for 9:45 a.m.

2010 Roster

2010 Schedule

Melody Parshall, Tuesday Wilson, and Corie Thompson photo courtesy of Charlie Covell

Preview written by Garrett Wampler - York College (Pa.) Athletic Communications student-intern