Jess Cygan
So., Bethlehem Liberty H.S.
Bethlehem, PA
Highlights: 2008 Pennsylvania State AAA XC Champion … Finished as the PIAA AAA runner-up to Neely Spence as a freshman in 2007 ... Cygan (PennTrackXC photo by Don Rich) is a two-time District XI and Lehigh Valley Conference Champion ... Other victories in 2008 included the Hershey Cross Country Invitational (19:31) and the Cliff Robbins Invitational (18:34) ... Placed 13th (18:24) at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional in 2007
Coach (Jeff Karwicki) says: “She was here to win (the state meet). She really managed things well, kept herself calm, cool and collective as much as possible. We didn’t want to look beyond the state meet until we got that done. Obviously that’s a major accomplishment … She’s got an incredible engine. There’s no doubt about it. The engine is there and the mindset is there. Last year as a ninth grader, she got second in the state, and she was upset by that. She wanted to win. This is a kid that wants to win and she really has that drive, that mindset to be a winner. Lucky for her she has the engine to go along with it. A lot of kids have one and not the other, but she’s got them both. The trick is you still have to execute, and she’s able to get it done.”
Cygan says: “It feels good to know that all the hard work from every workout and every race pays off. It’s all about who worked harder and who wants it more. If you work hard things will work out. I’m going to be running in Foot Locker and I really would like to qualify for nationals. States and Foot Locker were my major goals this season.”
Summer mileage (max): 40
Weekly mileage: 35-40
Training shoes: Mizuno
Superstitions: None
Hobbies: Swimming, soccer, camping, hiking, sleeping, biking
Favorite food: Wheat bread