The Lions came roaring back this past fall, winning four Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Championships in women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s cross country.
Credit: Penn State Behrend
After a year of hit-or-miss athletic events due to the pandemic, the Lions came roaring back this past fall, winning four Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Championships in women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s cross country.
A few highlights from the fall and winter seasons:
- The women’s soccer team finished 19-2, setting a new program record for most wins in a season. The team earned the United Soccer Coaches Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award for fair play, sporting behavior, and limited yellow cards this season.
- Men’s cross country won its thirteenth team title in program history. Led by senior Phoenix Myers, Behrend had seven runners in the top 10 at the AMCC championships.
- Olivia Nola, a first-year student, earned the AMCC individual title in women’s cross country and was named the AMCC Runner of the Year. The newcomer was the fastest runner for the Lions in every race and now holds three of the four top times in the AMCC. She completed the 2021 season unbeaten by any other AMCC runner in any race.
- Both men’s and women’s basketball teams were named the AMCC Co-Regular Season Champions for having the best record in the conference. The men finished with a 19-7 overall record. The women’s basketball team went 21-6 and was named the ECAC Tournament Runners Up.
- The women’s swimming and diving team won its twelfth overall AMCC Championship. The team was chosen to the CSCAA Scholar All-America Team for the fall 2021 semester. The Lions also broke eight team records while competing at Nazareth during the season.
- The men’s swimming and diving team finished second at the AMCC Championships this season. Freshman Tim Compton was named the AMCC Swimmer and Newcomer of the Year. Compton won three individual events and broke the AMCC Meet Record in the 200 butterfly.
- Heavyweight wrestler Joe Newara, a senior, finished the season at 17-6, leading the team in wins. Newara registered thirteen wins by pin and posted a 5-1 dual-meet record. The 285-pounder had a nine-match winning streak during the season and advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament.
- Both men’s and women’s volleyball teams took first place in AMCC competition, capturing two championships for head coach Phil Pisano.