CLINTON, S.C. - The Presbyterian College athletics department, in conjunction with head men's and women's cross country coach Thad Palmer, are pleased to announce the addition of four runners to the 2010-2011 roster. Mary-Kathryn Piontek is joining the women's cross country team while Richard Taylor, Kevin Quan, and Ryan Wasilewski will all continue their running careers on the men's team at PC this fall.
Piontek joins the women's team from Greenwood H.S. where she ran for one season under the supervision of head coach Thomas Moore. She is a Palmetto Fellow recipient and will graduate in the top-10 of her class. Piontek was named to the Merit List at Piedmont Tech for maintaining at least a 3.75 GPA with part-time hours during the fall and spring semesters of her senior year. Her 5k personal record stems from a home meet at Greenwood H.S. (25:02). She intends to major in biology.
Taylor joins the men's cross country team and men's lacrosse team from Spartanburg H.S. The multi-sport athlete earned all-region and all-county honors in cross country and track. Twice he was voted team captain for cross country. He ran under the direction of head coach Rob Wilder. Taylor established his 5k PR at the 2008 Wendy's Invitational at McAlpine Park (16:42). He also holds a mile PR of 4:46 and half-mile PR of 2:09.
Quan comes from Emerald H.S. The five-year letterman ran for head coach David Payne. While at Emerald, Quan also ran track, wrestled, and played soccer earning all-region honors in cross country and track. His freshman year, Quan earned his team's "Academic Award" at the end of the season. He attended Boy's State in the summer of 2009 and was voted the National Honor Society President at Emerald his senior year. Quan established his 5k PR at the SC 2A State Meet held at the Sandhills Research Center (18:24). He also has a half-mile PR of 2:08.
Wasilewski hails from Easley H.S. The incoming freshman lettered in cross country three times under head coach Sammy Owen while also lettering in track six-times. He was voted "Most-Improved" for his team during his sophomore year. Wasilewski is a member of the National Honor Society, Future Educators Association, and student council. His 5k PR was set at the SC 4A Upper State Meet held at Dorman H.S. (18:11). He also holds a two-mile PR of 11:52, mile of 5:06, and half-mile of 2:16.
These four talented runners join Alex Thomas and Seth Warner who both signed earlier this year to continue their careers at PC.
"With the added depth all six freshmen will bring to the team, I am looking forward to seeing us compete in the fall. It will be the strongest team we've had in several years," Palmer said.
The first race for both teams will be the Eye Opener on Saturday, Sept. 4 in Spartanburg, S.C.