The Jackets run at midnight

Waynesburg cross country teams hold "midnight madness" run to get 2009 season underway

Led by head coach Blair Zimmerman (middle with orange hat and white shirt), the Waynesburg University men's and women's cross country team embark on their first ever "midnight madness" run to start the 2009 cross country season.

WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Aug. 20) – Taking a page from college basketball, the Waynesburg University cross country program held their first ever “midnight madness” run to start the 2009 season at 12 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20.

Head coach Blair Zimmerman, who is entering his 11^th year with the program, admitted that the midnight run was something outside of his comfort zone, as he typically ends his day around 8:30 p.m. Along with being the leader of the long distance runners, Zimmerman also works full time and is the mayor of Waynesburg.

However, he implemented the run with the message of the team going outside of its comfort zone to get better and make an impact on the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC).

The run began with a few laps around the parks that make up part of the Waynesburg University campus. From there, the team took part in several hill runs near one of the school’s dormitories.

Zimmerman was happy with the team’s willingness and positive attitude towards the run, with the first participants arriving at around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday night.

Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams get the 2009 season underway on Sept. 5, when they travel to Maryland to take part in the Sea Gull Opener, which is hosted by Salisbury University. The Jackets host their annual home invitational on Sept. 12.

Sport:

Athletes of the Week

Jessi Drayer

Women's Basketball

Drayer poured in a team-high 21.0 points per game for the 1-1 Yellow Jackets this past week. She was the team’s leading scorer in both games, going for a game-high 23 points against Westminster, before pouring in a contest-best 19 points in a win over Geneva. The Waterford, Ohio native averaged 21 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game this week.

Dan Bruni

Wrestling

Bruni went 3-0 during Waynesburg’s home quad-match against Penn State Greater Allegheny, Penn State Beaver and Penn State Fayette. The sophomore won two matches by major decision and scored a fall in just 31 seconds over Greater Allegheny’s Soham Salvi.

What are you most looking forward to in 2012 when it comes to Waynesburg sports?

Seeing how far the women's basketball team can go in the PAC tournament and beyond.
The wrestling team going for a third-straight PAC team title.
The Jacket softball team playing to get back into the PAC playoffs.
Waynesburg track taking another shot at an elusive PAC team title.
Just being outside when the weather turns warm.

Did You Know...

Jackets own Nittany Lions

The Waynesburg football team is 2-0 all-time against Penn State. The last time they met was in 1932, when the Jackets won 7-6.

TV Football

Waynesburg played in the first televised football game. The Yellow Jackets faced Fordham on Sept. 20, 1939 in Randalls Island, N.Y.

Don Herrman

Former Waynesburg football great Don Herrman played for the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints from 1969 to 1977.

The Three Musketeers

Dominick Hunter, Ivan Hawkins and Paul D'Imperio, who rank 1-2-3 in career receptions , all played together from 2002 to 2004.

Headlee's All-American resume

Head wrestling coach Ron Headlee was a three-time NAIA All-American at Messiah College and the school's first NCAA All-American.

Unbreakable record

In 2009, Scott Cree ran an interception back 100 yards for a touchdown, a record that can't be broken.

Going nowhere fast

Waynesburg held Westminster to minus-105 yards rushing in a game in 1967.

Champions in the classroom

During the 2009-10 school year, no school in the conference boasted more honorees on the PAC Academic Honor Roll than Waynesburg.

Waynesburg University Athletics