June 3, 2002

As Stony Brook entered 2001-02, the Seawolves prepared to begin their third year of Division I competition and first in the America East Conference.

For the cross country/track and field team, the year proved to be a highly successful one.

The Seawolves annihilated the record books, setting 16 new school marks. And the Seawolves didn't just break the records, they destroyed them, some by as many as 17 seconds.

Ronan Named Coach of the Year: In just his second year at the helm, head coach Andy Ronan was named Stony Brook's Male Head Coach of the Year.

Not only did the men's team alone set eight new school records under Ronan's tutelage, but several individuals broke their own record more than once during the season.

Ronan also helped Stony Brook qualify for the esteemed Millrose Games for the first time ever in both the men's 4 x 800m relay and the men's 3000m. The relay team of Chris Hunt, Mike Thompson, Dale Summerville and Jonathan Brims placed second in the relay by just eight-tenths of a second.

In addition, the Seawolves recorded their best-ever team finish at the ECAC/IC4A Cross Country Championships.

Payne Nabs Honors: Junior Jenny Payne was named Stony Brook's Female Athlete of the Year after an outstanding 2001-02 campaign.

One of the most successful female athletes in Stony Brook cross country/track and field history, Payne set three new school records this season alone, scattering her name even more throughout the Stony Brook record books. She now holds the top two times in Seawolves history in three different events, and owns five school records overall.

This season she dominated the 5000m indoor event, capturing the title at both the America East Championships and the ECAC Championships, where she shattered her previous time by 12 seconds. She also recorded the top individual finish for Stony Brook at the America East Cross Country Championships, placing ninth in the 5K event. She led the Seawolves at the METS Cross Country Championships as well, placing eighth in the 5K for another team-best finish.

Millrose Debut: The men's team represented Stony Brook very well at the highly respected Millrose Games held at Madison Square Garden in February. The 4 x 800m relay team of Dave deWolfe, Jonathan Brims, Dale Summerville and Chris Hunt came in second place by just eight-tenths of a second, finishing the race in 7:58.50.

Mike Thompson also competed at the Games, finishing the 3000m event in ninth place with a time of 8:50.44.

Rewriting the Record Books: School-record times were abundant this season, as Stony Brook continues to annihilate the Seawolves record books under Coach Ronan. Twenty-one of the fastest times in Stony Brook history have come under Ronan, with Stony Brook bettering many of the marks several times.

The Seawolves have vastly improved their school record times in many events. Jenny Payne shaved six seconds off her mile time and 12 seconds off her time in the 5000m. The women's sprint medley of Nicola Baker, Dana Shepherd, Corinne Leake and Jackie Berman shattered the previous school record by 14 seconds.

On the men's side, the distance medley team of Mike Thompson, Chris Hunt, Dave deWolfe and Jonathan Brims took six seconds off the time, while deWolfe lowered his school-record time in the 5000m by almost five seconds.

In the America East: Corinne Leake broke a 10-year-old conference record at the Indoor Championships, winning the 500m with a time of 1:14.86. The old mark of 1:15.18 had stood since 1992.

Jenny Payne also picked up a victory for Stony Brook, winning the 5000m in a then-school record time of 17:25.47.

By Leaps and Bounds: The Seawolves enjoyed a much-improved finish at the IC4A/ECAC Cross Country Championships, as the men's team finished 10th out of 23 teams and the women's team placed seventh out of 20.

Last year, the men's team had an incomplete score while the women's team was 17th overall.

Both teams finished sixth out of nine teams at the America East Conference Championships in their first year.

Off On the Right Foot: The Seawolves' freshman recruiting class provided a peak at things to come, as Stony Brook newcomers came through with several key performances.

Sophomore transfer Dale Summerville played a vital role for the Seawolves, helping the 4 x 800m relay demolish the old school record by 17 seconds. Summerville and the rest of the relay team--Jonathan Brims, Dave deWolfe and Mike Thompson--narrowly missed winning the title at the Millrose Games.

Summerville was also effective in the 1500m, posting two of the four fastest times in school history, while finishing second at the METS Championships and third at the America East Championships.

Abigail Nathaniel had several strong performances for the women's team, helping the 4 x 400m relay team earn two victories and record the second-fastest time in school history. The relay finished fourth at the METS Championships. Nathaniel proved her versatility as she was also a consistent performer in the long jump.

On a High Note: Dave deWolfe closed out his career in style, once again proving to be one of the Seawolves' best competitors.

deWolfe set a new school record in the 3000m and shattered the old mark in the 5000m by 11 seconds. The 5000m was one of his strongest events, as he recorded a victory and two runner-up finishes, including one in the America East Championships. He also ran on the 4 x 800m relay team at the Millrose Games.

deWolfe was also outstanding during the cross country season, opening the year with a victory in the 8K at CCSU and a runner-up finish in the 8K at St. John's, coming just two seconds short of the top spot.

Thompson Continues to Shine: Senior Mike Thompson was also a stellar performer this season, setting several school records. He ran on the 4 x 800m relay team that was outstanding this season and broke his own record in the 1000m, in addition to helping the DMR team set a new school mark.

Thompson also qualified to compete in the 3000m at the Millrose Games, in addition to appearing with the 4 x 800m relay team.

The senior was also one of the Seawolves' best runners in the cross country season, opening the season with a fifth-place showing at CCSU and recording strong performances at both the America East Championships and the IC4A/ECAC Championships.

On Impact: Chris Hunt and Corinne Leake both had breakthrough junior seasons for the Seawolves.

Hunt had a part in two school records, including the 500m and 800m. Hunt was second in the 500m and fifth in the 800m at the America East Championships. He was also a key member of the 4 x 800m relay and DMR teams.

Leake got her season off to a great start with a victory in the 500m at the Pearl Harbor Classic. She would later capture the title at the America East Championships, breaking a 10-year-old conference record in the process.

Leake was also phenomenal in the 400m, 800m, sprint medley and the 4 x 400m relay throughout the year.

The program has been on the rise since the arrival of Andy Ronan, and if the 2001-02 season is any indication, that success will continue.

The current Seawolves continue to scatter their names throughout the record books under Ronan and will compete in the America East for just the second year next season. Already Stony Brook has shown it has the talent to compete with the best in the conference.

Now the Seawolves will continue to strive for a conference crown.