Savini excited to be "home" with XC Team
First-year Penn State Fayette cross-country coach PJ Savini has been hired into a unique position, as he is the program's fourth coach in as many seasons, and Fayette is hosting the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championships at the end of the season. However, he is not new to the program.
Savini ran for four years under former head coach Joe Carei, and he did not hesitate when asked about the goals he has for the program.
"The goals that I have set for the team this season would be to compete to the best of our ability, recruit, and branch out to other athletes to add depth to our roster," he said. "Finally, I want to continue building a team culture that encompasses family-like orientation and winning."
Savini was on the 2019 track & field Fayette team that won the USCAA national championship, and Savini shared his pride.
"We achieved multiple back to back wins at the PSUAC Cross Country Conference Invitational, as well as winning the 2019 USCAA National Track and Field Championship Invitational," he said. "It was the first ever championship win, not only for the Track and Field program, but for the Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus in general."
A family atmosphere and team mindset came from Carei, whom Savini coached under during the 2021 season.
There are several new runners, but the team also has a pair of successful returners in Chloe Kalp (Melcraft, PA/Connellsville HS) and Julie Seliga (Smock, PA/Uniontown HS).
"They are two of our top returning runners," Savini said. "Both of whom are known throughout our program for their work ethic, team first mentality, and leadership."
Savini is also excited for newcomers to the program.
"Some of our newcomers would include freshman Marco Peacon (Uniontown,PA/Laurel Highlands HS) and sophomore Sam Leonard (Dawson,PA/Frazier HS)," he said. "Marco brings an extensive running resume from his four years of cross country and track and field for Laurel Highlands High School, where he showed his discipline and determination while Sam continues to impress with the results he produces based on his dedication to the workouts and training plans."
What is Savini most excited about?
"This season, I am most excited to see a new wave of athletes experience and be a part of a program that has personally affected my life in such a positive way," he said.
Savini said his experiences at Fayette, both as a student-athlete and a coach, will help.
"I am still somewhat new to coaching, however, I believe my time spent as both as a USCAA National Championship winning athlete and assistant under coach Carei provides me with the experience and knowledge to build something great for the cross country program and Penn State Fayette itself as a whole," he said.
Savini is excited about the fact that Fayette is hosting the USCAA cross country championships.
"They are being held at our home campus, and it is a big deal to me," he said. "I believe our course to be one of the most challenging courses in the conference and in the surrounding area. That being said, it is a priority to me to recruit and to be able to field a full team in order to compete at the meet and bring home the win on our home course."
Savini closed out by sharing what he will define as a successful season.
"We will have a successful season if all participating athletes apply the same amount of effort, commitment, and determination to their studies as they would to their training," he said. "Because if the grades aren't there, then they won't be here."
For more information on the Penn State Fayette cross country team, go to https://psfathletics.com/sports/xc/index
By: Bill Hughes