Coach Carei looks to add to the trophy case

If the Penn State Fayette men's cross country team is going to reach head coach Joe Carei's goal for the season, then the team will reach great heights.

"I want to win the (Penn State University Athletic Conference) for the fourth consecutive year and move up nationally," Carei said.

Considering the team finished fourth a year ago at the United Stated Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championships in Virginia Beach, VA, moving up won't be easy.

However, the team has the talent to make it happen.

"We only lost one key runner from last year," Carei said. "But we have at least four quality freshmen to fill the void."

Who is Carei leaning on to provide leadership?

Senior Michael Elliott (Clarksville, PA/Beth-Center HS) is at the top of the list.

"Our team is led by Michael and he has been a valuable part of the evolution of our program," Carei said. "He is a great leader and ambassador for our program."

Junior Nyoah Marteny (Perryopolis, PA/Frazier) is the defending PSUAC champion and was only a few spots away from All-American status.

"Nyoah has something to prove and we think that he will certainly do that," Carei said. "He was a National Runner of the Week last year, so he wants to prove that he deserved that honor."

Sophomore Drew Erdman (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Salem HS) was Fayette's top finisher at Nationals with a time of 28:31, six seconds ahead of Marteny.

"Drew was out most consistent and hardest worker last year and it paid off at the end," Carei said. "We look for him to repeat that cycle."

Sophomore Mitchell Minda (Elizabeth, PA/Elizabeth Forward HS) and junior Aaron Mylan (Rices Landing, PA/Jefferson-Morgan HS) will also contribute in a big way this year.

Fayette signed its largest class in program history with seven incoming recruits including Ryan Semle (Uxbridge, MA/Uxbridge HS), Joe O'Connell (West Mifflin, PA/West Mifflin HS), Steve Painter (Mt. Pleasant, PA/Mt. Pleasant HS) and Ben Witt (Uniontown, PA/Uniontown HS).

"We expect our freshmen core to push our upperclassmen," Carei said. "We also expect them to contribute in a big way."

Junior Arlo Helms (Connellsville, PA/Connellsville HS) is a first-year runner, and he has the most unique story of any student-athlete on the team.

Helms was in the Marines for many years and is using his GI Bill to attend Fayette.

He was the Fayette County champion back in 2006.

"Arlo should be in the mix as one of our top runners," Carei said. "He is a hard worker and brings attention and a work ethic to the team."

While the men's team has lofty expectations, the women's team at Fayette is still a work in progress.

"We are still looking for growth in our women's program," Carei said. "We have welcomed (three new) runners and are hoping to pick up one or two more athletes so we can have a full team.

"Any female student-athletes interested should contact me."

Elizabeth Brunelli is a transfer from Allegany College of Maryland while both Anna Elko (California, PA/California HS) and Haley Miller (Albert Gallatin HS) will look to help out.

What are the keys for the teams to have success, according to Carei?

"We have to stay healthy and injury-free," he said. "We have to have team chemistry and strong leadership."

Carei also discussed how the teams will have a successful season.

"It will be successful if we can improve on the previous season," he said. "Not only in stats but culture.

"Also, making it so our student-athletes feel that their involvement in Penn State athletics is a full compliment to their experience."

For more information on the team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/xc/index.