It is quickly becoming a stiff competition between fall athletic programs as to which team can get off to the best start. After a record setting fall season in 2009, the new campaign is off to an equally impressive start. Genevaâ??s teams posted a record of 9-1-1 in the first week of competition and once again look to be well on their way to more success throughout the fall.

The menâ??s and womenâ??s cross country teams competed in a pair of meets to open the 2010 season and did so in impressive fashion. On opening day at Brush Creek Park, both teams won the overall meet by defeating PAC foes Waynesburg and Thiel. On the menâ??s side, the Golden Tornadoes posted just 28 points including a second place overall finish by junior Nick Edinger. Edinger finished in a time of 17:38 with teammate Jon Shope finishing fourth in a time of 18:02. Thiel College finished second in the menâ??s race with 42 points while Waynesburg was third with 60 points. The Golden Tornadoes featured a total of ten runners finishing in the top 20. Owen Struck (6), Ryan Thorn (7), Jacob Beschner (9), Charles Parker (10), Nate Mansor (14), Andrew Maienshein (15), Chez Anderson (16) and Chuck Walters (19) led the charge in Genevaâ??s victory. Genevaâ??s women cruised past Waynesburg and Thiel by posting a total of 29 points. Alayne Merkle made her Geneva debut with a second place overall finish in a time of 21:57. Teammate Julia Urbanski finished third overall in 22:05. The Golden Tornadoes posted four of the top seven finishers including Samantha Miller (6) and Shannon Rech (7).

In menâ??s action, Nick Edinger broke the 27 minute barrier for the first time in his career with a 26:44 effort and a third place overall finish. It was only the third time in school history that a male runner has broken the 27 minute mark. Genevaâ??s men featured its top five runners finishing in the top 25. In addition to Edinger, Jon Shope (14), Jacob Beschner (23), Ryan Thorn (24) and Owen Struck (25) each turned in top notch performances. After what she would consider a sub-par finish in the opening meet of the season, sophomore sensation Shannon Rech found her freshman form with a 13th place overall finish in an impressive time of 24:55 in the 5K event. In fact, Rech improved upon her time on this same course a year ago my over a minute. Freshman Alayna Merkle was Genevaâ??s next best finisher with a 17th place spot in a time of 25:08. Other females in the top 25 included Samantha Miller (19) and Julia Urbanski (22).

The Gary Dunda era began in dramatic fashion for the menâ??s soccer team. Dunda saw his team come within 37 seconds of opening the season with an impressive victory over Penn State Behrend. The tying goal from the Lions sent the game into overtime where neither team could find the net in a 1-1 tie. David Harwood scored the lone goal for Geneva. On Saturday, Dunda got that first victory at Geneva as the Golden Tornadoes cruised to a 4-0 victory over Franciscan University with four different players finding the net. Sophomore goalkeeper Evan Biedenbach registered his first career shut-out.

The womenâ??s soccer team outscored its opponents 11-0 in opening up the season with a 2-0 record. Geneva defeated Penn State Beaver 8-0 with Maura Allen and Katelyn Slagle each scoring two goals in the victory. On Saturday, Allen scored all three goals in a 3-0 victory over Franciscan. Senior goalkeeper Lauren Londino registered career shutouts 18 and 19 to move to within just two shut-outs of the all-time record.

The Geneva College tennis team got off to a solid start in the first week of action with a dramatic 5-4 victory over Chatham University in the season opener. Amy Wellerâ??s tie-breaking singles win proved to be the difference in the one point victory. After dropping two of three matches in doubles, Geneva was able to take four of six in singles action for the win. In addition to Wellerâ??s victory. Alison Beatty, Kara Zimmerman and Cassandra Califf all picked up victories in singles action. The Golden Tornadoes dropped a 9-0 decision to Saint Vincent on Friday to even their early season record at 1-1.

Genevaâ??s football team didnâ??t exactly put together a masterpiece on Saturday night but what it did do was win a road game to open the 2010 season. The Golden Tornadoes defeated Frostburg State 32-27 as senior running back Gerard Muschette put on a show. Muschette ran for 180 yards on 27 carries and found the end zone three times. He also pulled in six catches for a team best 48 yards. Senior quarterback David Girardi was 14-24 for 164 yards. Despite four turnovers, the Golden Tornadoes managed to open their 120th season with a victory. Marcus Costanza and Solomon Hejirika led the defense with eight and seven tackles respectively while Nick DiPietro hit on a 28 yard field goal in the first half.

Last but certainly not least was the performance of the womenâ??s volleyball team last week. Geneva opened the season with a perfect 4-0 record including three victories and the first place tournament trophy at Johns Hopkins University. Geneva defeated the host school as well as Goucher and DeSales to take home the crown. Maryland natives Rachel Kuegler and Adriane Blake were named to the All-Tournament team with Blake taking home tournament MVP honors.

Following is the athletic schedule for the upcoming week:

*PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

Rob Miller from Miller Sports Consulting will be on campus on Friday, September 10 to speak to the students of Geneva College. Please mark your calendars for Friday night from 7-9 p.m. at the John White Chapel for a two-part speaking series. Part I â?? Redefining the term teammate Part II â?? What are you and your school known for?

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