Lycoming News

First-year coach Tom Leeser is taking the reins of the Penn College cross-country program, bringing his extensive experience from Milton High School. Leeser has a focus on personal and athletic growth, emphasizing development over innate talent. "I really want to focus on growth," he said, adding that it’s about developing the talent athletes bring and improving it.

Leeser's approach blends coaching with mentorship. He aims to guide student-athletes in balancing academics, personal life decisions, and athletics. He noted that track and cross-country provide clear metrics for improvement: "The clock, they say, doesn't lie."

Despite a small team size this season, Leeser appreciates the maturity and leadership present among some members. Last year at the United East meet, both men’s and women’s teams finished towards the bottom of their respective fields. Alec Rees led times for the men's team alongside returning runners Noah Bowers and Nick Snow.

Leeser acknowledged having "a few quality returners from last year" but highlighted a lack of depth as a challenge. His strategy involves "quality training" and creating a positive environment with aspirations to rank higher in conference standings.

On the women's side, Rosey Thomas returns after her first-team all-conference selection in 2018. All other female athletes are new to the program this season. Leeser plans to build from scratch focusing on growth despite recognizing areas needing improvement such as fitness levels and sport knowledge.

Patience will be key for success according to Leeser: "Take one day at a time," he advised his team while aiming for peak performance during championship periods.