Footlocker Finalist Joe Whelan (Hamburg, NY) headed to Syracuse
When Joe Whelan (Hamburg, NY) qualified for the Footlocker Finals this past fall he made many people notice and look back to see a runner who may not have been on many schools radar. One school that knew who Whelan was Syracuse and that is where Whelan will begin school in the fall of 09.
“Syracuse seemed liked they cared a lot about me and they were the first school that called me”, said Whelan. . “When I was a junior in cross and broke my foot they sent me a caring get well letter. Syracuse is also a school that I know I can reach my full potential and are going to do great things in the future due to the coaching of coach Fox and coach Bell.” As far as the school itself, Whelan went on to say, “academically they rank high and they are less than three hours from my house so those were huge factors. Syracuse didn't have any negative aspects.”
Other schools that were was on Whelan’s list of possible were La Salle, Wisconsin, Iona and Albany.
Since the Footlocker race Whalen took 2 weeks off and then started training towards the USATF Cross Country Jr Nationals coming up February 7th. “ I don't really do indoor, I use it as a rest period or a base period phase and try to stay healthy for the outdoor track., said Whelan. Looking ahead to the spring Whelan is hoping “to break 9 minutes in the 3000 steeple and run under 8:55 in the 3200 but the main goal is to be healthy.”
Joe Whelan at the '08 Footlocker Finals (photo by John Nepolitan)
When Joe Whelan (Hamburg, NY) qualified for the Footlocker Finals this past fall he made many people notice and look back to see a runner who may not have been on many schools radar. One school that knew who Whelan was Syracuse and that is where Whelan will begin school in the fall of 09. 
