Athlete Profile: Nick Pampena

Hometown: Kings Park, N.Y.

Major: Dietetics
Events: Cross Country, Track: 1500, mile, 3000
Achievements: Cross Country: 2008 All ECAC team (2nd place), 2008 All Region team (28th place); Indoor Track: 3k school record holder
Hobbies: Snowboarding, Skating, Reading, Photography, Nutrition, Music and running alot.
Future Goals: Stay healthy and keep working towards becoming an All American in track.
Quote: "An average man's body weighing ten stone is constructed of enough water to fill a ten-gallon barrel; enough fat for seven bars of soap; of carbon sufficient for 9,000 lead pencils, and of phosphorus to make 2,200 match heads; enough magnesium to provide one does of salts; iron to make one medium-sized nail; lime to whitewash a chicken coop; potassium to explode a toy cannon; sugar to fill a shake; and sulphur to rid a dog of fleas. The whole could be purchased for the few shillings that accord with contemporary prices." Sir Adolphe Abrahams- The Human Machine (1956)
What do you like most about SUNY Oneonta: The fact that I am constantly learning here.

Being Thankful....

As I prepare to leave on a 6a flight to points west [mentally and physically], I wanted to pause and take a moment to be Thankful for a few things.

I am Thankful for:

-finalizing the Track roster [at last!]
-both Cross Country teams having a great season
-the hard work that everyone has put in...fall track and cross country
-the great recruiting visits we've had this semester
-Eric letting me say my piece on the blog
-that Mother Nature has been generous with the temps

And of course, I and everyone else in the Track/Cross Country Office are Thankful for our loyal followers on the blog! I sincerely hope that where ever you are, who ever you are with and what ever weather Mother Nature throws your way that you and yours have a happy, safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving!

-Aimee Dawson, Head Coach Track & Field

Veteran's Day

As our nation honored our veterans, Oneonta XC/T&F had three potential Red Dragons (from NYS Sections 2, 3, & 11) come for a campus visit. They had lunch in Wilsbach Dining Hall with the majority of the team, met with professors from their respective majors of interest, and went on a campus tour. We enjoyed having them on campus on such a beautiful fall day.

Friday Night Lights

The men's and women's cross country teams had a team competition practice this past Friday. Since we did not attend a meet, Coach LoPiccolo set up a 3k race on the track under the lights. This was to see improvement from the 3k they did earlier in the season. The athletes were strategically placed on three person teams and the team with the most improved time combined won. You can see the winners on the homepage of the official site http://employees.oneonta.edu/lopiccmj/.

Recruiting Fast: Day 3 @ Section III

Amanda and I concluded my 3 day recruiting tour at Jamesville Beach outside of Syracuse on Saturday. The weather was warmer and dry, which made life more enjoyable. It was good to get to Section III where I saw a lot of Syracuse Charger people, along with my good friend Dave Patruno. Amanda and I connected with some quality high schools where previous Red Dragons were also alum. I look forward to getting these new perspective student-athletes to campus after cross country ends.

Recruiting Fast: Day 2 @ Section II

Eric and I headed north to his home town of Saratoga Springs for the Section II Championships. It was colder but dryer than yesterday. Things went well in connecting with some old friends and alumni in addition to talking to some more fast potential Red Dragons. After the races were over, we jetted back to Oneonta for our 3,000 Time Trial, which went very well. Future posts are coming soon with pictures and video. Tomorrow, Amanda and I will head to Jamesville Beach for Round 3 of recruiting, this time at Section III. Eric will stay in Oneonta to meet to a recruit who will spend the night on campus.

Recruiting Fast: Day 1 @ Section IV

Eric and I headed to Chenango Valley State Park to kick off the weekend of recruiting at the Section IV Championships. It was good to return to my home Section and talk to some fast potential Red Dragons. Eric gets to feel the same way tomorrow as we head to his home Section (II) at Saratoga State Park. Hopefully, the weather will be warmer and dryer.