Tussey Teaser #1: 18th Annual Laurel Run Switchbacker 10K
March 6, 2021
Rothrock State Forest
by Mike Casper
It was a typical below-freezing morning with a light breeze as runners gathered for this early March run. Just a quarter-mile in toward the mountain, Bear Meadows Road became two slippery wheel tracks through four frozen inches of winter. Reaching Laurel Run Road, the skating rink section began, a sheet of shimmering ice. The icy surface got whiter toward the next switchback and continued the rest of the way up to the turnaround at the crest of the hill. Yaktrax could have made a persuasive ad out of this morning’s adventure.
Though several runners elected to turn around early due to the slick surface, nearly 70 runners continued to the top and back. Whether via the workout or virtuosic determination, the Switchbacker makes for a worthy contributor to character and any race plan.
Mark Puleo glided to overall victory, with David Kennedy not far behind and Jason Sammut in third. Chloe Connor took the victory in the women’s race, while Kristine Vanderplas and Jennifer Harris took second and third.
David Lloyd humbled the accomplishment of the rest by also bicycling to and from the race. Many thanks to Elsa Hansen, Zach Kilmer, Anthony Leonard and Frank for invaluable help with check-in and finish line.
Those who run Tussey Teasers #1 through #5 (February’s Teaser #0 was a bonus) will be eligible for a special prize drawing that will take place on June 27 after Teaser #5, the Eager Seeger Half Marathon.
The next Tussey Teaser, on April 11, is the Tussey-to-Whipple 11 Miler, run on Legs 1 through 3 of the original Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK course. Since this is a point-to-point run starting at Tussey Mountain, runners will need to arrange transportation from the finish at Whipple Dam State Park.
Runners are encouraged to bring their gently used running shoes to be collected at each run for a program called Sneakers4Funds that supports entrepreneurs in communities and countries around the world.
For details, driving directions and waiver forms for the remaining Teasers, visit http://www.tusseymountainback.com/tussey_teasers.html
A big group showed up ready to do some ice running!
Laurel Run Road was hella icy!
Did I say icy?
Jason Sammut, who finished third takes his life into his hands - or feet!
Josh Holmes could have worn skates!
Overall winner Matt Balogh wasn't doggin' it!
Order of Finish
Place First Last Sex Age Town State Time
----- ----- ---- --- --- ---- ----- ----
1 Mark Puleo M 24 State College PA 41:32
2 David Kennedy M 22 State College PA 42:16
3 Jason Sammut M 24 State College PA 42:25
4 Josh Holmes M 19 University Park PA 43:25
5 Stephen Nalepa M 19 University Park PA 43:34
6 Drew Funk M 35 State College PA 46:11
7 Matt Balogh M 22 State College PA 46:55
8 Jake Bayus M 29 State College PA 47:15
9 Brian Toto M 19 University Park PA 47:52
10 Patrick Singletary M 55 State College PA 48:13
11 Andrew Wertz M 20 Jeannette PA 50:10
12 Jeremy Bell M 19 University Park PA 51:05
13 Ryan Semle M 20 Mill Hall PA 51:46
14 Mark Riley M 52 State College PA 52:13
15 Elijah Kamermans M 35 State College PA 53:09
16 Brad Scanlon M 20 University Park PA 53:35
17 Hayden Davidson M 20 State College PA 53:36
18 Colin Wood M 18 University Park PA 55:50
19 Gabriel Renninger M 18 University Park PA 56:46
20 Franklin Berkey M 48 Bellefonte PA 56:47
21 Kelly Kennedy M 47 Lemont PA 59:17
22 Garrett Campbell M 20 Lansdale PA 59:18
23 Curtis Trowbridge M 19 Williamsport PA 59:20
24 Ryan Murray M 19 Havertown PA 59:21
25 Bryant Stangel M 19 Boalsburg PA 1:01:47
26 Ryan Sullivan M 20 State College PA 1:02:07
27 Chloe Conner F 21 State College PA 1:02:09
28 Trevor Schoenemann M 19 University Park PA 1:02:14
29 Kristine Vanderplas F 43 Lemont PA 1:02:49
30 Jennifer Harris F 24 State College PA 1:03:10
31 John Knepley M 74 Boalsburg PA 1:03:16
32 Jodi Patterson F 19 University Park PA 1:03:16
33 Bradley Shambach M 44 York Springs PA 1:04:43
34 Brooke Shambach F 42 York Springs PA 1:04:43
35 Crystal McNeal F 38 Huntingdon PA 1:06:44
36 Mikala Shremshock F 38 Charles Town WV 1:08:50
37 Quincey Reece F 20 University Park PA 1:09:23
38 Cameron Mallett M 23 State College PA 1:09:46
39 Joe Hughes M 21 State College PA 1:10:01
40 Nick Scipione M 22 State College PA 1:10:01
41 Brent McNeal M 40 Huntingdon PA 1:10:16
42 Teddy Baughan M 19 State College PA 1:10:36
43 Nicholas Cole M 19 PA Furnace PA 1:10:37
44 Conner Gardner M 18 State College PA 1:10:37
45 Sydney McWilliams F 19 University Park PA 1:10:42
46 Julia Colley F 19 University Park PA 1:10:42
47 Michael Janik M 44 State College PA 1:10:43
48 Rose Spann F 20 State College PA 1:10:44
49 Matt Rooke M 37 State College PA 1:10:45
50 Noel Habashy M 38 State College PA 1:10:56
51 Jessica Robles F 22 State College PA 1:12:39
52 Dom Feola M 21 State College PA 1:12:50
53 Abby Hart F 18 University Park PA 1:12:50
54 Sharon Lupo F 46 PA Furnace PA 1:15:50
55 Staci Black F 46 Alexandria PA 1:19:27
56 Mike Casper M 62 State College PA 1:23:21
57 Tyler Reinert M 19 State College PA 1:24:35
58 Hailey Madara F 19 State College PA 1:24:36
59 Natasha Tirko F 36 State College PA 1:29:24
60 Sherry Tirko F 47 Warriors Mark PA 1:29:25
61 Eliza Gabel F 24 State College PA 1:30:45
62 Ava Leone F 20 State College PA 1:31:43
63 Stephanie Rhoads F 18 University Park PA 1:31:43
64 Laura Egan F 29 Boalsburg PA 1:38:30
65 David Lloyd M 50 State College PA 1:39:15
66 Brian Brown M 46 Lewisburg PA 1:46:24
67 Zach Kilmer M 36 Bellefonte PA 1:57:52
68 Saurabh Basu M 34 State College PA 1:57:52
