About the authors>>
Paul Robinson - Class: Junior | Major: Exercise Science | Hometown: Suffield, Ohio
Robinson was a 2008 Indoor Track Finalist (3K)...2007 NAIA Outdoor Track 10K Finalist (8th place)...2007 NAIA Indoor Track Finalist (3K)...and his personal bests include...8K: 25:24...5K: 15:05...3K: 8:36.8.

Christopher Sinick - Class: Junior | Major: Biology/Pre-Dentistry | Hometown: Brimfield, Ohio
Sinick was a 2008 NAIA Outdoor Track All-American 4x800m (5th)...2008 NAIA Indoor Track All-American 100m (3rd)...2007 NAIA Cross Country All-American (26th)...2007 NAIA Outdoor Track All-American 1500m (5th)...2005 and 2006 OHSAA Division II State Champion 1600m...and earned ten All-Ohio honors in cross country and track in high school.

Learn more>> Malone University | Malone Cross Country     


Halloween Haunted Hayrides | November 5, 2008

So what do you do at Malone University on Halloween night? This very problem presented itself to the members of Middle Barclay (the coolest place to live at Malone) during lunch time, Friday afternoon. Costume parties full of alcohol and promiscuously "dressed-up" women are typically frowned upon at Malone, and by frowned upon I mean they will get you expelled. Trick or treating hasn't really been an option since I was eleven, and haunted houses are out because who really wants to spend $10 bucks for half an hour of walking around in a dark room with strangers yelling at you. The school was offering lunar bowling that night at a nearby bowling alley, but that really wasn't enticing any of us. The night was not looking promising. Nothing to do on Halloween, we could not face that harsh reality.

So we called a meeting of the minds, assembling the most brilliant and creative thinkers the cross country and track teams had to offer, as well as my roommate Ian. Our mission was simple- we had to create something to entertain us this evening because Malone had failed to produce for us.

The vision soon became clear. We would host a hayride; no, even better, a haunted hayride through Malone's campus. Yes, this was it. We got the word out as quickly as we could. Facebook would help, but we needed a quicker delivery system....word of mouth. The process had begun; people were alerted.

Now all we had to do was make sure this hayride would rock. 

Problem #1: Something to ride on.
-This was quickly solved, two of our ranks owned pickup trucks and everyone knows they substitute perfectly for wagons.

Problem #2: Hay. 
-Ah ha! Former MCC'er Michael Coates lives on a farm, surely he has some hay. A quick call and one hour later we had our hay.

Problem #3: Time.
-With a workout looming ahead of us and free burritos (if you were wrapped in foil, of course) afterwards at Chipotle, as well as the pesky nuisance of the days remaining classes we had little time to prepare.

Well, we're runners aren't we...we can do anything quickly, even throw awesome campus events.

Problem#4: Hauntedness.
-We were one hour away from the hayride with no zombies, ghouls, goblins, or werewolves to spook our guests. This is where the magic of Halloween kicked in. Calling on every trick or treating costume from their pasts the members of Middle Barclay assembled an all-star cast of spook-tacular scarers. The difficult portion of the planning complete we added some fine touches: apple cider, candy corn, donuts, decorations, and old horror movies. This was going to be epic.

Guests arrived and the madness began. Sum total we thrilled over 3 dozen slightly bored Malone students that evening, making our hayride the most successful campus event in history. As we sit back and reflect on the evening I find myself impressed by the enthusiasm, hard work, and attention to detail my floor-mates demonstrated, because honestly this hayride was a blast. The whole night was a great time that went off with only one hitch... a close encounter on the first hayride with the grim reaper to all Malone fun, campus security.

I Hope your Halloween was as wholesome as ours here at Malone. You all better have voted this week, unless you had a note from your mom excusing you, then you'll have to complete a make-up assignment, like jury-duty.

Until further notice citizens, stay vigilant, and you are dismissed.

By Paul Robinson and Christopher Sinick | posted by the NAIA | November 5, 2008

Does Anybody Really Know What a Good 6K Time Is? | October 30, 2008

So another week has come and gone and you've tuned in to see how things went down w/ MCC . Well, let me tell you what... I can barely remember what happened. Maybe it was because this was just another humdrum week in the heart of Midwest America or maybe it was because I spent the majority of the week in the library and my brain has subsequently become a pile of mush.

But hey NAIA do you really care about my study habits... No? I didn't think so. Okay fine, then let's get to what you really wanna know...how did those handsome Malone men race this weekend?

Well, first of all I'm flattered...I mean decent looking okay, but handsome, readers you are making me blush.

In all seriousness though, we had nice little short course invitational this weekend at home against fellow NAIA bad boys Huntington University ranked #9 in last week's poll. These guys provided some excellent competition and class to our podunk little race and they were even friendly enough to stick around after to shower with us, eh, I mean, near us?  In the same shower facility, but in separate individual shower stalls with every man having ample amounts of privacy, clear enough?

Whatever, hopefully you know what I'm getting at. The results should be up online somewhere, check `em out if you get a kick out of 6K times.  In reality who really knows what a good 6K time is?  I know I am not up to snuff on that.

But that's not what matters, the important thing is that we had a good time, got a race in, and still had plenty of time left to study on Saturday night ;). Well, that about sums it up gang, I'll try to live a more exciting life next week, but I'm not making any promises.

By Paul Robinson and Christopher Sinick | posted by the NAIA | October 30, 2008

Keeping it All in the Family | October 22, 2008

Alright all you die hard NAIAer's out there. Last week you suffered through the summary of MCC (Malone Cross Country) 2008, aka the setting, now like any good fairy tale you simply must meet the characters that make up my crazy family.

Nik Schweikert: Besides the fact that no one really knows how to spell or correctly pronounce his name this senior leader's claim to fame is that the only thing more impressive than his 8K time is his golden mane of perfectly groomed hair.  Watch out NAIA he's been around the block a few times and is hungry for a big performance in November.

James Zeuch: Perhaps the most amiable and level-headed member of the squad Zeuch, or Jay-Z by those dearest to him, is a splendid-sophomore with oodles of potential to be the next big thing on the message boards. What's he famous for... team record for longest current relationship (around 2 years).

Aaron Melhorn: Ah, what isn't there to say about this stud?  NAIA Champion as a freshmen is in the steeple proves he's got talent, but this Lasse Viren adoring sophomore brings resident exercise physiologist and coach Matt Woods to tears with his late nights and midnight burger buffets.  It works for him though and keeps life interesting and fun. Besides his individual championship he holds the team record for most tattoos- 3.

Chris Sinick: Mr. Can Do It All should be the poster child for the NAIA. He is textbook Champion of Character, Scholar Athlete and an All-American in 4 events.  He makes his grades off a pre-dentistry degree as well, which let me assure you, is no easy task. Besides being great at everything Chris loves Seinfeld and gets team honors for most creative use of a spoon.

Evan Gaynor:  Perhaps the slowest walker and 400 meter runner on the planet (a 57 PR).  Evan makes up for it with plenty of blue collar Bill Rodgers type running and a knowledge of the Browns that could rival any Google search out there. An all American in two events, this junior communications major is a key player in the team's national title hopes for the season.

Ryan Crocker:  The returning son freshly arrived from a year away from running mostly, spent living a sweet life in China.  Crocker provides something desperately needed on a collegiate team ....the ability to be mature. This senior's leadership goes a long way in maintaining the stability needed to take a team all the way. Oh and by the way, did I mention his driving skills rival anything you've seen in theaters?

Keith Burns: Another senior who hails from the small town of Minerva is yet another key contributor to MCC success.  Burnsey provides the muscle to our operation.  Spending his summer's hauling around junked-out cars and catalytic convertors will do that for you.  But take note he's more than just a piece of meat folks.  He`s on his way to P.T. school next fall, and he just may have the most well-groomed facial hair in the nation.

Bryan Eckenfels:  Bryan holds the title for most improved, dropping his 5k time from 18:10 to 16:10 in just over a year. This junior exercise science major holds down cc, school, and a job at the wellness center all at the same time. Bryan also holds the team title for most unique form.

Stephan Nzishura:  The team's lone Kenyan comes to us via a life spent in the back woods of West Virginia, go figure.  He has taken up long distance running for the first time since high school three years ago.  So while his running skills may be a bit rusty, he can be All-American in the art of hitting on girls.

Kyle Randolph:  A young up and comer who is bound to be Malone Varsity material any day now is a business major with a heart of gold. He will, however, kill any Pittsburgh Steelers fan on the spot if confronted. The only thing that might match his love for the Browns is of course the OSU Buckeyes.  Also note that Randolph is not shy and will not hesitate to facebook you, yes you.

Jeremy Arthur:  Currently holds the precarious team title for fastest freshmen of the season. He is fresh out of Medina HS where he competed on a stacked squad who ran at Nike Team Nationals. Arthur enjoys long walks on the beach, things that are soft, and a good old fashioned bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Tony Migliozzi: Tony adds to the long line of State Champions who currently call Malone home, delivered to us from just down the street's St. Thomas Aquinas HS.  Tony is fun-loving and Italian. He is really good at texting and probably the best poker player and ping ponger I have ever met.  I'm serious challenge him and you will lose, just ask the cocky camp counselor at our training camp who hadn't lost all summer, before Migs that is.

Zach Mathias: Zach completes the trinity of Galion, OH runners on our squad (Zeuch and Randolph) and is quite the nice young man. He is fond of bookstores, and his cat Mr. Fluff. Easily confused, but a genuine good guy; Zach just may have the dubious distinction of having both the best looking Mom and girlfriend combination on the team. 

 -Paul

ust because Paul was too shy to write about himself and chose to write about me I feel like I must add a little on here.  So...

Paul Robinson:  A kid that got his start in distance running because he was so bad at long jumping back in 8th grade (PR of maybe 11 feet)  that he had to find a new event.  Who would have thought that an 800 at a junk meet that many years ago would have brought this giggling junior to where he is today?  He has become a leader that knows how to mix comedy with the serious nature that is necessary on a national caliber team.  So, if you are ever in need of a laugh or want to make a music video to an 80's song, Paul is your man.

See you next week...

By Paul Robinson and Christopher Sinick | posted by the NAIA | October 22, 2008

Setting the Pace | October 15, 2008

Hey There Cross Country Fans,

Malone varsity team members Paul Robinson and Christopher Sinick here, writing this blog to provide a little insight into the heart and soul of Malone Cross Country.  We are both juniors from the same high school in Northeastern Ohio.  Paul is majoring in Exercise Science and is planning on attending physical therapy school after graduation, while Christopher is a Biology major with hopes of becoming a dentist.  Since college is such a busy place we have decided to work together on this blog.  So some weeks it might just be Paul, others Christopher.  If you are lucky it might be both of us.  But enough about us, here's a recap of our season thus far...

We opened with a low-key, non-scored, short course meet at Kent State.  This 6K was a good introduction to collegiate running for our freshman and gave our upper classmen a chance to freshen up a bit before we all dove into the 8K. Not much else to say; we ran, it was hot, and the results were inconsequential.

Next we travelled to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.  It was a rough meet with temperatures reaching into the high 80's and a nasty humidity that is not found north of the Mason-Dixon Line.  We did not perform as well as we would have liked and were handed our first loss in over a year.  It was a strange feeling, but just the awakening the team needed to realize that this was not a continuation of last year.  It sparked a fire in the team to redeem ourselves and make this season our own.

We got that chance two weeks later in the big city of Chicago.  Most of the guys on the team are from small towns, so this trip proves to be really exciting and has a Nationals-like feel.  Running against some tough competition in Illinois, our team truly came together for the first time all year and pulled out a victory.  We celebrated with some deep dish Chicago style pizza after the race.  Paul demonstrated his manliness by convincing some southern belles from the University of Alabama to accompany us for some ice cream that night.  Good times were had by all.

A couple weeks and a name change later we travelled to Delaware, Ohio for one of our most important meets of the season, the All-Ohio Championships.  We don't know how many other states do this, but for those of you who don't know, it is a race where every college or university in the state comes and competes against each other no matter their size or running prowess.  It was here, for the first time in history, that Malone University won a cross country meet.  We had some great individual performances and earned bragging rights as Ohio's fastest team.

Alright, now that we've got you up to speed, the summary portion of our blog has concluded.  Look out next week for exciting details, hilarious wit, edge of the seat suspense, and much much more in the world of MCC. 

We'll see you next week.

By Paul Robinson and Christopher Sinick | posted by the NAIA | October 15, 2008