More than 400 student-athletes, coaches and staff representing all nine full member institutions participated in the inaugural Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Mental Health Matters Virtual 5K. The event was held October 20-November 1.
The virtual 5K allowed participants to walk or run regardless of their location in a socially distanced way. The event was designed to bring mental health awareness to our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators during these uncertain times. The AMCC encouraged everyone to promote self-care by getting outside, eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep, and having fun! The race was open to all student-athletes currently enrolled at AMCC full and affiliate member schools, along with AMCC athletic administrators, FARs, coaches, and athletic trainers.
In addition, the conference is providing a series of free mental health programs. Student-athletes have free access to a series of online resources from mental health advocate Ivy Watts. "You Are Not Alone" is a series of mental health support modules for COVID-19 and beyond. The AMCC is also providing coaches and captains with access to specialized mental health and sport psychology training conducted by Dr. Chris Siuta, Director of the Hilbert College Counseling Center. Click here for additional NCAA Mental Health Resources.
Overall, there were 418 participants in the 5K, with 355 of those being student-athletes. Alfred State College had the highest number of participants with 135 students and staff who registered. Additionally, there were four athletic directors, eight senior woman administrators, two faculty athletic representatives, six sports information directors, four athletic trainers, 34 coaches, two administrative staff members, and two conference staff members.
The AMCC would like to extend a congratulations to the winners in the following categories who have earned bragging rights as the fastest AMCC student-athlete within their sport:
Baseball: Jake Kost (Mount Aloysius), 22:49
Men's Basketball: Edwin Seton (Hilbert), 22:38
Men's Cross Country: Gavin Bathgate (Alfred State), 16:22
Men's Soccer: David Benson (Alfred State), 18:21
Men's Swimming & Diving: Aidan Cort (Wells), 17:29
Men's Tennis: Nicholas Anagnostiadis (Mount Aloysius), 21:26
Men's Volleyball: Jake Siwy (Medaille), 28:06
Softball: Ashley Stein (Pitt-Bradford), 25:33
Women's Basketball: Brianna Dean (PS-Behrend), 25:23
Bowling: Kara Brown (Medaille), 22:18
Women's Cross Country: Ashley Weakland (Mount Aloysius), 25:15
Women's Lacrosse: Alayna DeFazio (Hilbert), 23:48
Women's Soccer: Elise Stratil (Pitt-Greensburg), 21:59
Women's Swimming & Diving: Hayley Martin (Wells), 25:50
Women's Tennis: Stephanie Pantelas (Pitt-Greensburg), 33:47
Women's Volleyball: Abby Fletcher (Mount Aloysius), 27:46
Wrestling: Calum Houper (Alfred State), 21:09
Male Staff: Brad Brooks (PS-Altoona, swimming & diving head coach), 16:57
Female Staff: Melissa Graham (Pitt-Bradford, women's soccer head coach), 22:01
Best Costumes: Penn State Altoona Men's Basketball Team and Macy Kisner, women's basketball & soccer, Hilbert College