Lopresti good fit for JMU
CRANBERRY TWP — Erin Lopresti wanted to be pushed — but not too far from home.
That's why the Seneca Valley senior and Cranberry Township resident decided to continue her academic and track and field career at James Madison University in Virginia.
Lopresti has finished second in the 800 meters at the WPIAL meet — trailing Elise Farris of Hopewell — the past two years. She has qualified for the PIAA meet in each of the past three seasons, but has yet to medal.
"I want that state medal badly this year," Lopresti said. "It's my last chance. That's my motivation."
It can also be her concentration, now that her college choice has been determined. Lopresti also considered Ohio State, Elon (N.C.) and UNC-Charlotte before deciding on James Madison.
"I wanted to go far enough away from home to be on my own, but not so far that I couldn't get back in a day," Lopresti said. "And the size of the school is perfect.
"There will be a bunch of young runners down there like me and we'll all be pushing each other in the distance events. I'm really looking forward to that."
Lopresti's best time in the 800 is two minutes, 14 seconds. Her best time in the 1,600 meters is 5:16.
JMU distance coach David Rinker is looking forward to working with that 2:14 time.
"She's had good coaching in high school, but we consider Erin to be untapped talent," Rinker said. "By that, I mean she's putting up some good times without really being pushed every day on the track. Her intensity level will naturally increase once she's down here because she loves to be challenged."
"She's only now beginning to concentrate efforts on the mile and we think she'll eventually be an effective 1,500 (meter) runner for us."
James Madison competes in the Colonial Athletic Conference and has won four conference champion ships in the past 11 years. The Dukes placed sixth in their NCAA regional meet last season.
JMU finished third in the conference two years ago before slipping to seventh place last year. Lopresti will compete for the Dukes' cross country team as well.
"Four of our top seven cross country runners were freshmen last year," Rinker said. "Erin is only going to increase that talent pool."
Ta' Frias is in her first year as women's track and field coach at James Madison. She was an assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin (Texas) University for eight years, where she coached 13 conference champions and 77 all-conference athletes.
"I can't wait to get there," Lopresti said of James Madison. "They have a bunch of girls who work just as hard as I do, if not harder. Going to another level is always exciting."
SV track coach Ray Peaco said Lopresti will have little trouble making the transition.
"With her times where they're at right now and looking at the times of their runners, Erin will fit right in," he said. "She made a wise choice.
"James Madison is a good academic school and she's a great student. Erin looked all over the east coast for the right place and she found it."
As for this spring, Peaco said Lopresti will remain focused.
"She's missed medaling at state by only a few seconds," he said. "That can drive some athletes crazy. With Erin, it just adds fuel to the fire."
Lopresti is undecided about her college major.
