12/20-Ed Bosch remembers Koons (and other talented harriers) from CYO

PennTrackXC reader Ed Bosch, who founded the CYO program that helped start the careers of several top runners, including Foot Locker Finalist Frances Koons, wrote us to share the names of a few other alums of the program who are excelled in HS and in College. Ed made a special point of saying he just helped to get them started, and that "...their high school coach, (Jack Pressman), their parents, and most importantly, their own love of the sport is what made the difference."

Frances' running actually began in 4th grade with our Cathedral CYO program in Allentown in 1995. When Frances was a 5th grader, I think her best x-c time for the mile was 7:07. I had to pass the program, which I founded in 1990, on to other parents in 1997 due to my job and family.

I think she got serious about running in 7th grade. I remember seeing her win the Allentown Diocese 7th and 8th grade 2 mile x-c championship race when she was in 8th grade. She was pretty good then, although the purpose of our x-c program was to make it fun and not too serious. I didn't want to burn them out.

Our 1996 CYO team had some pretty good runners; Kerry Meagher (CCHS team in 2000 that finished 3rd at PIAA meet & now Notre Dame), Mary Bacher (CCHS state champ team in 2001 & Bloomsburg U), Kim Maxwell (CCHS state champ team in 2001), Lisa Gower (CCHS state champ team in 2001), Colleen O'Neill (CCHS state champ team in 2001), and one Frances Koons (CCHS state champ team in 2001, 2003 individual state champion, and 2003 All American). Not bad !!"

Thanks, Ed. The youth programs are obviously instilling a love of the sport, and lifetime habits of self discipline, goal-setting and activity that help to enrich the rest of their lives.

12/20-AAU & USATF XC results/links and a story on future stars