Good things come in threes for first-year women’s cross country runner Cici Perrone who received Atlantic-10 (A-10) Rookie of the Week honors for the third time on Oct. 18.
Perrone finished first for the Hawks in the ECAC Championship on Oct. 14, with a time of 22:31.3, making her the fastest A-10 first-year in the race.
According to Perrone, receiving the A-10 honors three times came as a surprise for her.
“I am really happy,” Perrone said. “I did not know you could get it multiple times.”.
In her first season at St. Joe’s, Perrone has finished among the top runners for the Hawks at multiple races, earning her best time of 21:27.4 at the Lehigh Paul Short Run on Sept. 30. She finished 15th overall and led the Hawks for the first time this season.
Perrone said that despite the transition from high school to college being difficult, she has begun to establish her own routine, and the results have shown in her performance.
“I was finding my groove more,” Perrone said. “I was figuring out how to race against people who are a lot faster than me.”
Mike Glavin, director of men’s and women’s cross country and track and field, said that Perrone’s development this season has been exactly what her coaches have hoped for from her.
“I think her progression is everything she would like,” Glavin said. “It leaves us a lot of potential for the future.”
Sarah Myers, a senior on the team, said Perrone’s performance this season has pushed her teammates to work harder in practice and at races.
“She has so much potential,” Myers said. “She has added energy to our team and our training.”
Perrone credits her teammates with helping her make the transition to college easier for her.
“They are so supportive,” Perrone said. “They always keep me going.”
Receiving accolades for her performance this season has come with no added pressure for Perrone.
“I have never been somebody who feels a lot of pressure,” Perrone said. “I do the best I can each day.”
According to Myers, one of the reasons for Perrone’s success this season has been her determination.
[Perrone] is not afraid of a little bit of pain,” Myers said. “In order to run faster than you ever have before, you’re going to be in a good amount of pain.”
Glavin said that Perrone is all about running and is willing to do whatever it takes to run faster and longer distances.
“Her desire to be a real distance runner, and everything that means, is what’s helping her be what she is,” Glavin said.
Glavin also credits some of Perrone’s success to the energy she is gaining from the meals she eats on campus.
“The frozen chicken pot pies from the POD are probably a significant piece of why she’s doing as well as she is,” Glavin said. “I may wind up having more of our runners trying them next year.”
The men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete in the A-10 Championship on Oct. 29. After receiving A-10 honors multiple times this season, Perrone said she is hoping to compete and do her best at this race.
“It is definitely motivating,” Perrone said. “I want to keep getting better and getting stronger.”
