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Tom Mulhern
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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The 2009 edition of the Niagara cross country team will welcome three new faces in Nicole Mehlman (Allentown, Pa.), Jessica Spellane (Vestal, N.Y.) and Alyssa Tusang (Cobleskill, N.Y.)
“I am very pleased with this year's recruiting class,” head coach Tom Mulhern said. “Overall, this is our best recruiting class in the last decade. These three freshmen will have an immediate impact at Niagara and in the MAAC."
Mehlman was a four-year runner at Perkasie High School, helping the Rams to a 22-5 record during her tenure. The Pennsylvania native was named first team all-conference during her sophomore and junior seasons, while landing on the second team as a senior. The 5-foot-3 runner also is no stranger to success, having advanced to the state championship meet as a sophomore.
“Nicole is one of the most talented runners we have recruited in the last decade,” Mulhern said. “With her hard work and dedication, she'll help take us to the next level.”
The Vestal, New York native has had quite the high school career, highlighted by her fourth place finish in the Junior Girls race at the 2007 Footlocker Cross Country Northeast Regional. Just a few weeks prior, Spellane finished in 33rd place in the 2007 New York State Championships Class A race. Of the 687 girls participating at the 2007 New York State Championships, Spellane finished in 120th place.
"Jessica has had a very successful high school career and has shown steady improvement,” Mulhern said. “I expect her to continually improve as a college runner.”
Tusang had a strong three-year high school career, leading the Cobleskill-Richmondville Bulldogs to a combined 17-5 record. The New York native was a part of a strong team that won sectionals when she was a sophomore, only to finish in second place in her final two seasons. Her personal best of 19:55 in her junior year earned her Colonial Council All-Star honors, while landing on the all-league first team.
“I am very excited about the addition of Alyssa,” Mulhern said. “She has proven herself on the course and I am sure she will continue to develop as a Purple Eagle."
