Meet the Meadville Staff
Becky
Eby--Manager
High
School: Alliance High School-
Alliance, OH.
College:
Mount Union College- Alliance, OH.
PRs:
3200- 12:01, 1600- 5:27, 800- 2:32, 400- 68, 400 Hurdles-75, 1000-3:17, 1500-
5:09, 3k- 11:00, 3k Steeple Chase- 11:39, 5k- 18:54, 6k- 23:42, 10k- 41:58
Running
History: I started running in 7th
grade after I was cut from the volleyball team.
In 8th grade I was the Federal League Middle School Champion
in the mile with a time of 5:54. I
ran cross country and track all four years at Alliance High School where I
qualified for the state cross country meet as an individual my sophomore year
and as part of a team my junior and senior years.
I was First Team All-County and All-Federal League my freshman through
junior years and Second Team All-County and Second Team All-Federal League my
senior year in cross country. In
college I was a 3 year letter winner in cross country and track.
I was also part of the 2003 and 2004 OAC XC Conference Championship teams
and the 2003 Great Lakes Regional Championship team.
After graduating from college I took a little down time and started
running competitively in the fall of 2006 in local road races.
I currently focus on 5ks and 10ks and half marathons.
Why
Becky Runs: Even though my running
career started off as a last resort throughout high school and college I enjoyed
the challenge and exhilaration of running. I
enjoy being a part of a team and running with my girls (AHS CC Family, MUCers,
and the Maple Lane Running Group J)!
Something Unique about Becky: Both my sister and husband work at Achilles.
Kelly
Bergeron
High
School: Lyman High School: Wallingford, CT
College:
Edinboro University: English Major
PRs:
5k-19:05, 3k Steeple Chase 11:40, 3k: 10:39, 1600-5:15
Running
History: I started running as a freshman in high school but didn’t start
training seriously until the summer prior to my senior year.
Why
She Runs: I run for Edinboro University and I run because I enjoy the hurt,
pain, and agony of high mileage training in order to become the best person I
can be.
Something
Unique About Kelly: I am from Connecticut and when I am not running I am outside
either kayaking, biking or fishing. My
favorite food is Chipotle.
Ben
Mourer
High
School: Karns City High School
College:
Allegheny College
PRs:
High School: 5k-17:02, College: 8k- 25:49, Track: 1500- 3:59, 3k-8:41, 5k- 14:34
Running
History: I first started running when I was 10 years old with my father.
After a few years off I ran throughout high school, qualifying for the PA
state cross country meet twice and breaking 10 minutes in the 3200 (9:57) my
senior year. I am currently
finishing my last semester at Allegheny where I’ve been a 10 time All NCAC
Conference runner and twice hitting the NCAA Division III National Provisional
time, and competing in the meet in 2007.
Why
He Runs: I run because I enjoy challenging myself to be better every day.
Something
Unique About Ben: My hometown of Chicora, PA. is the home of the only known
account in the United States of a meteorite hitting an animal, when it took out
a cow in 1938.
Chrysanthemum
Mattison
High
School: Maine East High School
College:
Allegheny College
PRs:
5k-24:20
Running
History: I started running in the summer of 2007 because I wanted a break from
swimming.
Why
She Runs: I started to run to train for one 5k race, now I ‘m working towards
a triathlon. I love the feelings of
relief, accomplishment, and “the burn” after a run.
Something
Unique about Chrysanthemum: I was an All-American swimmer in high school
Mia
Symoniak
High
School: Amherst Central
College:
Allegheny College
Running
History: I started running in junior
high because the varsity team didn’t have enough runners.
My brother signed me up for the team and didn’t tell me until the first
day of practice. I fell in love with
the sport.
PRs:
5k- 18:30, 3k- 10:29, 1500- 4:58
Why
She Runs: I run because I love being part of a team and I love the people who
run. I also like that you can get
out of running exactly what you put into it.
Something
Unique About Mia: My favorite food
is grilled cheese with ketchup. Eating
Adrianne’s truffles is my stress reliever.
Adrianne
Grand
High
School: Keystone High School
College:
Allegheny College
PRs:
5k- 21:36, 6k- 26:27, 3k Steeple Chase- 12:
Running
History: I have run all four years of high school and college.
I ran the 100 and 300 hurdles for outdoor track in high school and I run
the 3k Steeple Chase for AC track.
Why
She Runs: I run because my big brother was a runner and I wanted to do
everything he did. I was chosen for
my elementary school 5th great track team and I have been running
ever since.
Something
Unique About Adrianne: Making
truffles is my stress reliever!
Jake
Zimmerman
High
School: The Kiski School
College:
Allegheny College
PRs:
8k-27:11, 10k- 33:30, 5k- 15:47
Running
History: I started running my junior year of high school, which is a pretty late
start for a competitive college runner; I have been running ever since.
Why
He Runs: Running is a great means of escape from life.
I love being outdoors and the feeling you get after a good run.
I also like to push my limits and compete with my peers.
Something
Unique about Jake: My hometown of Leechburg, PA. is the site of a Native
American massacre by Sam Brady, one of the first pioneers.
Samantha
Zink
High
School: Alliance High School
College:
Allegheny College
PRs:
5k- 19:42, 1600- 5:26, 800- 2:16
Running
History: I have been running cross country and track since the seventh grade.
I ran all four years of high school.
I am an OHSAA State Qualifier in track and cross country with All-Ohio
honors in the 800m run.
Why
She Runs: I run because of my big
sister Becky. Becky went out for
cross country and track in middle school and I wanted to be just like her.
Something
Unique about Samantha: I absolutely adore peanut butter, it is my stress
medicine.
Zac
Ross
High
School: Meadville High School
College:
Allegheny College
PRs:
3200- 9:18, 8k- 25:29, 5k- 15:19, 1600-4:25
Running
History: I first started running in 11th grade because the high
school coach asked me to and because our soccer coach had just left the school.
I qualified to states during my first year of running in both cross
country and track, then medaled in both cross country and track as a senior.
Why
He Runs: To inspire others to run so
that they can push themselves further then they thought possible.
Something
Unique about Zac: I live in the home of the zipper and tool and die industry.
Joe
Eby
High
School: Walsh Jesuit High School-
Stow, OH.
College:
Mount Union College- Alliance, OH.
PRs:
400-50.6, 800-1:51.40, 1500- 3:45.30, Mile- 4:05.29, 3k- 8:32.0, 5k- 14:30.00,
8k- 24:48
Running
History: I first started running in middle school to get in shape for
basketball. In high school I
didn’t make the basketball team my sophomore year and switched to running full
time.
Why
He Runs: I enjoy the competition and the feeling you get after a good long run
or workout.
Something
Unique about Joe: I was born without my middle finger on my right hand.
Garret
Piispanen
High
School: Fruita Monument High School
College:
Allegheny College
PRs:
8k- 27:48, 5k- 15:41, 1500- 4:04, 800- 1:53.4, 400- 50.06
Running
History: I started running
competitively in middle school. I
ran with my parents beforehand since my father was a big road racer and an ultra
runner. I saw running as more of a
sport than those offered at my high school and it didn’t contain the petty
drama that accompanied sports at that age. Once
I started, no other sport seemed worth it.
Why
He Runs: Running is the only sport you can do regardless of the weather and
throughout the world until your body literally falls apart.
Running offers the competition and ability to test oneself day after day.
Something
Unique about Garret: I collect
things I find on runs, hubcaps especially.
Bill
Salyer
High
School: Triton High School- Boulbon, In.
College:
Wilmington College- Wilmington, OH.
PRs:
1600- 4:37, 800- 2:02, 3200- 10:31, 400- 54, 5k- 17:09, 8k- 28:40
Why
He Runs: I began running track in
junior high and did not run cross country until college.
I ran track in high school along with playing football and basketball.
I ran cross country and track at Wilmington College and lettered all four
years in cross country and two in track.
Something
Unique about Bill: I am expecting my first child in November.
I currently work for Allegheny College as the Director of Athletic
Communications. I was recruited in
four sports out of high school (football, basketball, xc, and track).
My wife was the head junior high track coach at East Clinton (Lees Creek,
OH.) for three years.
Josiah
Leuenberger
High
School: West Middlesex High School
College:
Grove City College
PRs:
5k- 14:56, Mile- 4:19, 8k- 25:14
Running
History: I am a 3 time PA State medalist. I
was a member of the NCAA Division III National Championship Cross Country team
at Calvin College. I transferred to
Grove City College in 2005
Why
He Runs:
Something
Unique About Josiah: I am graduating
from Grove City in the Spring of ’08. I’m
planning to attend Seminary to become a pastor and focus on running the 10k and
Marathon.
David
Washousky
High
School: Clarence High School- Clarence, NY.
College:
Allegheny College- Meadville, PA.
PR’s:
800- 1:58, 1500- 4:04
Running
History: I started running in 7th grade because my best friend joined
the team, he quit after two weeks, 11 years later I’m still running.
Why
Dave Runs: It’s in my blood. I love the feeling of a good long run or workout.
Being a runner makes you feel alive.
Something
unique about Dave- I’m a member of the nationally touring folk band ‘Gypsy
Dave and The Stumpjumpers’
Meggie
Higby
High
School: Saegertown High School-Saegertown, PA.
Running
History: I started running in 7th
grade and I’m still going.
Why
Meggie Runs: I enjoy the feeling of
belonging to a team and the achievement that comes with training.
Something
unique about Meggie: I have a twin
brother who also runs and I plan on somehow being involved with the running
community as a career.