2011 Women's Cross Country Booklet

2011

APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 2002 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES 2000- Mary Jayne Harrelson 1999- Mary Jayne Harrelson 1998- Mary Jayne Harrelson 1989- Whitney Ball

2011 A ppalachian S tate C ross C ountry

COACHES John Weaver Director of Track & Field and Cross Country

Coach Weaver is in his 30th season

as the director of the women’s track and cross country program and in his 16th season as the director of both the women’s and men’s programs at Appalachian State University. Weaver assumed the duties of directing both programs in the fall of 1995.

A 1971 graduate of Appalachian in biology, Weaver returned to ASU in 1979 to assist the men’s program while earning his masters in biology. During his three-year tenure as the men’s assistant, he trained two NCAA qualifiers and seven Southern Conference champions.

Weaver took over the full-time coaching duties for the women’s program in 1982. Since that time, the program, including cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, has produced an NCAA Division I National Champion in the 1500m twice, nine NCAA Division I all-Americans with 23 all-American performances, 18 NCAA Division I qualifiers, 257 Southern Conference individual champion performances, 718 all-conference performances, 27 conference MVP athletes, 40 conference team championships, 24 conference coach-of-the-year honors, 13 conference freshman of the year honors and two Southeast Region Coach of the Year honors. Since 2003, when the NCAA began competition on a Regional level, the Mountaineers have sent 49 athletes to the regional meet.

After taking over the men’s program in 1995, the Mountaineers have produced two NCAA Division I all-Americans, four NCAA All-American performances, 11 Division I Qualifiers, 203 Southern Conference individual champion performances, 479 all-conference performers, 10 conference MVP’s, 25 conference team championships, 11 coach-of-the-year honors, three confer-

ence freshman of the year and two Southeast Region Coach of the Year honors. ASU has also sent 42 athletes to Regional competition.

Appalachian has qualified 42 men and 49 women athletes to the East Region with eight NCAA Championship qualifying performances coming out of the region for Appalachian. In 2004, ASU had its first East Region champion with a first place finish in the men’s 100 meter dash.

Coach Weaver has also worked as the Yosef Club Director (athletic fundraising arm of the ASU Foundation Inc.) from 1982-1985.

He also taught classes in the Education and Physical Education departments of the university.

A native of Fayetteville, N.C., Weaver graduated from SeventyFirst High School in 1967. He earned his bachelor of science degree in 1971 from Appalachian, returning to Fayetteville to teach biology and eventually take over the cross country and track programs at Douglas Byrd High School in 1972. His cross country dual meet record over eight years was an impressive 71-11 and his teams won six conference titles while competing in four state championships. His track team also produced many individual conference and regional champions, along with several state meet qualifiers.

Currently, Coach Weaver coaches the sprinters, hurdlers, multievent athletes and relays, while over-seeing all aspects of the program. He is also serving an appointment to the NCAA Division I Track and Cross Country Committee effective September of 2006 and active until September of 2010. Each summer, Weaver also directs the Grandfather Mountain Marathon, The Bear Road Race and two Cross Country team camps. Over 1,000 athletes attend camp at ASU each summer.

Michael Curcio Head Coach Mike Curcio is in his 17th year as the head men’s and women’s cross country coach, track and field distance coach at Appalachian State University.

Curcio’s men’s cross country teams have been very successful under his tenure, as they have captured one women’s Southern Conference titles and 10 men’s SoCon championships, including six-straight men titles.

In his 16 years, Curcio has coached, nine NCAA Qualifiers, 12 NCAA Regional Qualifiers, 18 USATF Junior National Qualifiers and seven Southern Conference Cross Country Freshman of the Year. In addition to those feats, Curcio has also coached 84 all-Southern Conference Cross Country performances and four Southern Conference Cross Country individual champions.

While coaching the distance runners for ASU track and field, Curcio has coached 53 athletes to SoCon indoor and outdoor individual champion performances and 203 runners to all-conference indoor and outdoor performances. He has also coached two athletes to SoCon indoor track and field MVP awards and two outdoor track and fiel MVP awards.

As athletic excellence is important, Curcio and his teams also strive for success in academics. Since being at ASU, Curcio has coached two NCAA post graduate scholarship award winners, one

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2011 Mountaineer Cross Country

Southern Conference post graduate scholarship award winner, three Mrs. Brakefield award recipients, for an ASU senior student-athlete with the highest GPA, and 12 USTFCCCA academic all-Americans.

For all of his efforts, in 2003 Curcio was named the USTCA Division I Men’s National Assistant Coach of the Year for Distance. He also has been recognized by the Southern Conference for his team’s impressive performances, being named the SoCon’s men’s cross country coach of the year nine times.

Before coming to Appalachian, Curcio served as an assistant at Florida State from 1988-1992. In the spring of 1993, he became an assistant at South Florida, where he helped build a fledgling track and field program, along with a nationally-ranked cross country program.

The track women at USF won three conference titles in the first four years of the program’s existence. The men’s and women’s cross country teams were ranked as high as 12th and 21st in Division I during his tenure.

Coach Curcio hails from Long Island, N.Y. where he attended Newfield High School before attending and competing for Appalachian State University. He was a three-time all-SoCon selection in track and still ranks sixth all-time in the 1,500 meter run with a time of 3:49.60.

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2011 A ppalachian S tate C ross C ountry

ROSTER

Name

Class

Hometown/Previous School

Sarah Bollinger Kaitlyn Cagle Stephanie Chapman Allison Cook Amanda Hamilton Kelsey Hanger Destine Kirkman Meaghan McCauley Hannah Orders Kayla Schneider Taryn Stern Maria Stickley Justine Stocks Shelby Williams Jenna Williamson Sarah Williamson

Fr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. So. So. Sr. RFr. Fr. Fr. RFr. RFr. Jr. Jr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Olympic) Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips Asheville, N.C./TC Roberson= Raleigh, N.C./Sanderson Cary, N.C./Apex Asheville, N.C./Asheville Charlotte, N.C./Harding Concord, N.C./Robinson (UNCW) Charlotte, N.C./Hopewell Boone, N.C./Watauga Harrisburg, N.C./Hickory Ridge Atglen, Pa./Bishop Shanahan Asheville, N.C./North Buncombe Brandon, Fl./Brandon Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell

SCHEDULE

Date Sept. 2 Sept. 16 Sept. 30 Sept. 30 Oct 14 Oct. 29 Nov. 13 Nov. 22

Meet Covered Bridge Open Mountaineer Open Paul Short Run Charlotte Open Blue Ridge Open SoCon Championship NCAA Southeast Regionals NCAA Championships

Location Boone, N.C. Boone, N.C. Bethlehem, Pa. Charlotte, N.C. Boone, N.C. Charleston, S.C. Lousiville, Ky. Terre Haute, Ind.

Time 5 p.m..

5 p.m.

10 a.m.

4:30 p.m.

3 p.m.

11 a.m.

11 a.m.

11 a.m.

Season Preview Appalachian State women’s cross country was just three points away from claiming its first Southern Conference championship since 2002 last year, and is excited for another chance to claim the conference title during the 2011 campaign.

The Mountaineers consistently produce some of the top runners in the conference year in and out and will rely heavily on its youth in 2011, as the Mountaineers graduated two seniors, all-conference performer Amy Neilson and Dani Reese.

Head Coach Michael Curcio’s squad will be led by senior Hannah Orders, junior Sarah Williamson, and sophomore Destine Kirkman.

Orders, a Hopewell High School, Charlotte, N.C. native, had her best finish in the Asics-Winthrop Invitational with 11th place.

She posted a top-20 finish in the SoCon championship meet and recorded ASU’s second best time at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship. She is currently fourth all-time in the outdoor 3,000m steeplechase with a 11:24.17 time.

A Charlotte, N.C. native, Williamson ran a career-best 18:57.12 time at the Asics-Winthrop Invitational to help the Mountaineers claim a second place finish. Williamson clocked a 23:04.3 time at

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the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship.

Kirkman, a Harding High School, Charlotte, NC native, earned allfreshman honors for her 26th place finish, which was the third best time for a freshman in the SoCon championship meet. Kirkman’s 15th place finish helped give the Black and Gold second place in the Asics-Winthrop Invitational.

Other Mountaineers to watch are junior Amanda Hamilton (Cary, N.C.), sophomore Allison Cook (Raleigh, N.C.), and redshirt freshmen Kayla Schneider (Boone, N.C.) and Justine Stocks (Asheville, N.C.).

“Hamilton and Cook each had very strong outdoor track seasons and are anticipated to be scorers this fall season. The pair of redshirt freshmen also had great outdoor seasons and will be major contributors this cross country season,” noted Coach Curcio.

Appalachian brings in three freshmen and one transfer studentathlete. Coach Curcio’s freshmen class consists of Sarah Bollinger (Charlotte, N.C.), Taryn Stern (Harrisburg, N.C.) and Maria Stickley (Atglen, Pa.). The lone transfer is Meaghan McCauley from UNC Wilmington and is a from Concord, N.C. McCauley competed in the Blue Ridge Open and the Mt. Olive Invitational last season for the Seahawks.

2011 Mountaineer Cross Country

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2011 A ppalachian S tate C ross C ountry

2011 Mountaineers Sarah Bollinger - Fr. - Charlotte, N.C./Olympic

High School: Named three-time all-conference honoree ... won the conference championship as a senior ... HS PR’s: 800m - 2.32 ... 1,600m - 5:32 ... 3,200m - 11:40 ... 5,000m 19:16.

Kaitlyn Cagle - Jr. - Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips

2010-11-- Cross Courty: Competed in three meets ...

Posted a season-best 19:13.04 at the Covered Bridge Open ... Clocked a 23:54 time in the 6,000m Brooks-Paul Short Run meet ... Outdoor: Competed in two meets ... earned fifth place in the 10,000m Wake Forest Invitational.

2009-10--Cross Country: Posted season-best of 20:50.84 at Mountaineer Open.

Cross Country PR’s: 5,000m - 19.1304 ... 6,000m - 23:54 ...

Indoor PR’s: 3,000m - 11:46.87... Outdoor PR’s: 5,000m 18:58.77 ... 10,000m - 39:48.26 ... HS PR’s: 800m - 2:28....Mile - 5:33....3,200 meter - 12:13.

Stephanie Chapman - Sr. - Asheville, N.C./TC Roberson

2010-11--Cross Country: Tabbed a season-best19:05.4 at the Blue Ridge Open ... finished 47th at the SoCon Championship ... Indoor: finished eighth at conference in the mile ... earned fifth place in the mile at the Appalachian Pre-Conference meet ... Outdoor: finished 18th in the 3,000m steeplechase at the conference championships ... earned 11th place at the Raleigh Relays in the 3,000m steeplechase.

2009-10--Cross Country: Ran season-best at Covered Bridge Open in a time of 19:35.40.

2008-09--Cross Country: Ran a career-best time of 19:03 at the SoCon Champonship, good for 33rd place overall.

Outdoor: Placed seventh in the 3000m steeplechase at the SoCon Championships.

Cross Country PR’s: 5,000m - 19:03....6,000m - 22:32. Indoor PR’s: Mile - 5:20.71....3,000m - 10:55.31....5,000m - 20.11.47.

Outdoor PR’s: 800m - 2:29.11....1,500m - 4:55.87....3,000m -11:00.66....3,000m steeple - 11:31.72.

Allison Cook- So. - Raleigh, N.C./Sanderson

2010-11--Cross Country: Competed in four meets ... marked a season-best 19:20.39 at the Asics-Winthrop Invitational ... Indoor: Finished fifth in the mile at the Appalachian Pre-Conference meet ... Outdoor: Competed in four meets ... earned her best-finish in the 1,500m at the Beach vs. Mountain meet.

Cross Country PR’s: 5,000m - 19:20.39 ... 6,000m - 23:11.7 ... Indoor PR’s: Mile - 5:26.23 ... 3,000m - 11:08.11 ... Outdoor PR’s: 1,500m - 4:53.19 ... 3,000m - 10:41.63 ... 3,000m steeplechase ... 11:47.62 ... HS PR’s: 800m - 2:21....Mile5:09....3,200m- 11:32....5,000m - 18:45.

Amanda Hamilton - Jr. - Cary, N.C./Apex

2010-11--Cross Country: Competed in every meet as one of the Mountaineers top-seven runners ... ran a career 19:16.27 at the Asics-Winthrop Invitational to help earn the team a second place finish in the meet ... Indoor: Ran in

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2011 Mountaineer Cross Country

three meets ... earned first place finish in the 3,000m at the Appalachian Pre-Conference meet ... Outdoor: Competed in three meets ... finished fourth in the 10,000m at the Wake Forest Invitational.

2009-10--Cross Country: Season-best was 20:12.85 at the Blue Ridge Open.

Cross Country PR’s: 5,000m - 19:13 ... 6,000m - 23:07 ...

Indoor PR’s: 3,000m - 10:41 ... 5,000m - 18:33.94 ... Outdoor PR’s: 3,000m steeple - 12:40.69 ... 3,000m - 10:39.51 ... 5,000m - 18:16.74. HS PR’s: 800m - 2:33.1....3,200m - 11:53....5,000m - 19:45.

Kelsey Hangar - Sr. - Asheville, N.C./Asheville

2010-11--Cross Country: Competed in four meets ... had a season-best 25th place finish at the Mountaineer Open, posting a time of 19:42.97.

2009-10--Cross Country: Did not compete.

2008-09--Cross Country: Opened the season with a time of 20:51 at the Covered Bridge Open in Boone....Had a seasonbest ninth place finish at the Lenoir-Rhyne Invitational, posting a time of 20:14. Indoor: Placed sixth in the 3,000m at the SoCon Championships....Captured eighth place in the 5,000m at the SoCon Championships. Outdoor: Placed seventh and posted a career best in the 10,000m at the SoCon Championships in a time of 39:12.08.

Cross Country PR’s: 5,000m - 19:42.97 ... 6,000m - 24:04 ... Indoor PR’s: 3,000m - 10:21.17....5,000m - 18:04.97 ... Outdoor PR’s: 1,500m - 5:03.45....3,000m steeple- 11:35.94....5,000m 18:07.35....10,000m - 39:12.08.

Destine Kirkman - So. - Charlotte, N.C./Harding

2010-11--Cross Country: Competed in every meet as a true freshmen ... finished 26th at the SoCon Championship ... ran a season-best 18:56.82 at the Asics-Winthrop Invitational ... Indoor: Competed in four meets ... finished third in the 800m at the Appalachian Pre-Conference meet ... ran a season-best 2:20.77 in the 800m at the Akron Invitational-Blue meet ... Outdoor: Participated in four meets ... ran a season best 2:22.03 800m at the Beach vs. Mountains meet.

Cross Country PR’s: 5,000m - 18:56.82 ... 6,000m - 22:57 ... Indoor PR’s: 800m - 2:20.77 ... Mile - 5:29.24 ... Outdoor: 800m - 2:22.03 ... 1,500m - 5:04.15 ... HS PR’s: 400m - 58.0 ...

800m - 2:17 ... 1,500m - 4:51 ... 5,000m - 19:21.

Meaghan McCauley - So. - Concord, N.C./Robinson (UNCW)

2010-11--Cross Country: Competed in two meets with UNC Wilmington ... finished 25th at the Mt. Olive Invitational ... Indoor: Clocked a personal record, 11:18.33 at the CNU Invitational in the 3,000m ... Tabbed 19:28.39 time in the 5,000m at the Tiger Paw Invitational ... Outdoor: Competed in the Asics Invitational and clocked a 5:23.21 in the 1,500m ... finished 18th in the 5,000m at the Seahawk Invitational.

Cross Country PR’s: 5,000m - 20:49 ... Indoor: 3,000m - 11:18.33 ... 5,000m - 19:28.39 ... Outdoor: 1,500m - 5:23.21 ... 3,000m 11:23.73 ... 5,000m - 19:13.89 ... 10,000m - 41:12.07.

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2011 A ppalachian S tate C ross C ountry

2011 Mountaineers Hannah Orders - Sr. - Charlotte, N.C./Hopewell

2010-11--Cross Country: Finished 20th in the SoCon Championship ... ran a career-best 18:38.4 time at the Blue Ridge Open ... earned her best finish of the season at the Asics-Winthrop Invitational with 11th place ... Indoor: Competed in four meets ... earned a second place finish at the Appalachian Open in the 3,000m ... Outdoor: Competed in four meets, including the SoCon Championships ... finished eighth in the 3,000m steeplechase at the conference meet ... earned a third place finish in the 3,000m steeplechase at the Beach vs. Mountain meet.

2009-10--Cross Country: Took 26th place finish at Covered Bridge Open....Posted a career-best time of 19:42.63 at the SoCon Championship.

2008-09--Cross Country: Posted a season-best of 19:50 at Winthrop Invitational. Outdoor: Ran a 19:06.96 5,000m at the Wake Forest Invitational. Cross Country PR’s: 5,000m 18:38.4 ... 6,000m - 22:12 ... Indoor PR’s: 3,000m - 10:31.28 ...

5,000m - 18:22.26 ... Outdoor PR’s: 3,000m steeple - 11:24.17 ... 5,000m - 17:52.65.

Kayla Schneider - RFr. - Boone, N.C./Watauga

2010-11--Cross Country: Redshirted ... Indoor: Competed in three meets ... finished fourth in the 800m at the Appalachian Pre-Conference meet ... Outdoor: Competed in four meets ... finished fourth in the 1,500m at the High Point Invitational and in the 5,000m at the Liberty Invitational.

Indoor PR’s: 800m - 2:23.09 ... Mile - 5:23.09 ... 3,000m 10:47.36 ... Outdoor: 1,500m - 4:46.16 ... 5,000m - 18:12.75 ...

HS PR’s: 400m - 60.98 ... 800m - 2:25 ... Mile - 5:29 ... 3,200m - 11:37.

Taryn Stern - Fr. - Harrisburg, N.C./Hickory Ridge

High School: Won conference cross country as a senior ... earned all-state in indoor track as a junior ... won the state championship in the 800m in outdoor track ... finished second in the 800m at the AAU indoor track national.

HS PR’s: 800m - 2:20.50 ... 1,000m - 3.18:42 ...1,500m - 5:09:89 ... 1,600m - 5:24.8 ... 3,200m - 12:53 ... 5,000m - 20:00.

Shelby Williams - RFr. - Brandon, Fl./Brandon

High School: named Rookie of the Year in cross country and track and field ... was a two-time most valuable athlete ... earned three varsity letters in cross country and four varsity letters in tack and field.

HS PR’s: 800m - 1,600m - 5:30 ... 3,200m - 12:06 ... 5,000m 20:06.

Jenna Williamson - Jr. - Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell

2010-11--Cross Country: Did not compete ... Indoor: Competed in three meets ... finsihed fourth in the 3,000m at the Appalachian Pre-Conference meet ... Outdoor: Competed in three meets.

2009-10--Cross Country: Did not compete.

Cross Country PR’s: 5,000m - 20:30. Indoor PR’s: 3,000m 10:42.21 ... 5,000m - 18:27.42 ... Outdoor PR’s: 3,000m - 10:56.29 ... 5,000m - 18:59.06 ...10,000m - 40:37.30. HS PR’s: 400m - 1:07...

Mile - 5:40 ... 3,200m - 12:20 ... 5,000m - 20:30.

Sarah Williamson - Jr. - Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell

2010-11--Cross Country: Competed in every meet ... ran a career-best 18:57.12 time at the Asics-Winthrop Invitational ... Indoor: Earned a second place finish in the 3,000m at the Appalachian Pre-Conference ... Outdoor: Finished ninth in the 10,000m and 16th in the 5,000m at the SoCon Championships ... won the 5,000m race at the Liberty Invitational.

2009-10--Cross Country: Posted a season-best time of 19:24.60 at the SoCon Championship, good for a 30th place finish....

Turned in the team’s third-best time at the NCAA Southeast Regional, carding a 23:09.36. Indoor: Ran personal best 3,000m at Akron in time of 10:41.71. Outdoor: Ran career best 5,000m in 18:03.81 at Wake Forest. Cross Country PR’s: 5,000m - 18:57.12 ... 6,000m - 22:25. Indoor PR’s: 3,000m - 10:41.71...5,000m 18:27.42. Outdoor PR’s: 3,000m - 10:17.93 ... 5,000m - 18:00.52 ... HS PR’s: 400m - 1:10 ... 800m - 2:33 ... Mile - 5:34 ... 3,200m 12:08 ... 5,000m - 19:53.

Maria Stickley - Fr. - Atglen, Pa./Bishop Shanahan

High School: earned all-conference honors in cross country and track & field ... earned most valuable athlete for cross country and track & field.

HS PR’s: 800m - 2:18 ... 1,600m - 5:09 ... 3,200m - 11:13 ...

5,000m - 19:03.

Justine Stocks - RFr. - Ashville, N.C./North Buncombe

2010-11--Cross Country: Redshirted ... Indoor: finished second at the Appalachian Pre-Conference meet in the 800m ... Outdoor: Competed in five meets ... clocked ASU’s top 1,500m time, 4.44.35, last spring finshed ... third in the 1,500m at the High Point Invitational.

Indoor PR’s: 800m - 2:22.23 ... Mile - 5:21.34 ... Outdoor PR’s: 800m -2:20.17 ... 1,500m - 4:44.35 ... HS PR’s: 400m 60.10 ... 800m - 2:20 ... Mile - 5:20.

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2011 Mountaineer Cross Country

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Appalachian State University

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Appalachian boasts an enrollment of 17,000 students. Located in the town of Boone, ASU is in the midst of one of the finest resort areas in the United States. Mountain foliage, skiing, the Blue Ridge Parkway (America’s most visited national park) and cool summer evenings help make the Boone area so popular.

Academically, Appalachian is a comprehensive university that offers more than 130 majors. The institution stresses teaching. Classes are kept small and almost all classes are taught by full professors. The student to faculty ratio is 15-to-1.

U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked Appalachian among the Top 10 Regional Universities. All this at a reasonable cost.

Appalachian fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division I level, including cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. In the past 29 years, the men and women have combined to win 60 Southern Conference championships in track and cross country. The men’s program has produced 35 NCAA qualifiers and seven All-Americans, while the women have 50 NCAA qualifers, 10 gaining All-America honors, a two-time NCAA National Champion, and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist. The women’s cross country team has won nine conference titles, while the men’s team has captured 14, with 1994 as a banner year as the mens team qualified for the NCAA Championships and finished the season ranked 20th in the nation.

Running Facilities

Appalachian and the surrounding areas offer some of the best and widest variety of traning sites on the East Coast.

Moses Cone Park and The Blue Ridge Parkway offer over 50 miles of groomed trails. A recently completed on-campus cross country course with more than four miles of trails sitting along the New River. The course was named after ASU standout Don Kennedy. The 8,325- seat Holmes Convocation Center and its 300-meter indoor track opened in 2000.

Quick Facts

Location..............................................................................Boone, N.C. Founded...........................................................................................1899 Enrollment...................................................................................17,222 Conference.............................................................................Southern Nickname......................................................................Mountaineers Colors............................................................................Black and Gold Chancellor...................................................Dr. Kenneth E. Peacock Faculty Representative..........................................Dr. Alan Hauser Director of Athletics....................................................Charlie Cobb Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA..Debbie Richardson Director of Track and Cross Country......................John Weaver Head Cross Country Coach.........................................Mike Curcio XC/Track Phone...........................................................828-262-3080 XC/Track Fax.................................................................828-262-4056 University Web Address.................................www.appstate.edu Track Web Address.............................................www.GoASU.com