Courtesy of Fredonia.edu
BROOKE ATKINS
Staff Writer
With the start of a new season for the Blue Devils crosscountry team quickly approaching, new changes and new players are approaching as well. In addition to freshman players, the team also has a new assistant coach.
Ryan Pericozzi, a Lancaster native and graduate of The State University of New York at Cortland, is joining the Fredonia family. After running cross country for the past 14 years, he brings knowledge and experience to the team.
“I am excited to start off my coaching career learning the athletes and developing relationships with them in ways I did when I was running,” said Pericozzi.
After asking him what the most rewarding part of his job was he was stumped.
“I really can not just give you one answer,” said Pericozzi. “Everything is rewarding … Seeing athletes beat their personal best is amazing even if it is just by a tenth of a second and then being thanked for the hours of hard work, now that is rewarding.”
Pericozzi smiled. Since he has always had strong coaching aspects, he wants to become someone athletes look up to: a role model. “Go Blue Devils,” was his last remark.
Seven freshman women and five freshman men are new to the roster this year; the rest are returning players. Cross country kicks off their season at the Fredonia Invitational on Sept. 5.