Inducted March 2018
Greg started running for the cross country team at Hempfield High School in Lancaster during the fall of his sophomore year in 1974. While in high school, he enjoyed success both individually, and as a team. The Black Knights won the District 3 AAA cross country crown, and were State AAA runners-up in the fall of 1976. Individually, Greg won the District title and finished 5th in the state meet. His career continued at Millersville University, where his team won the NCAA Division II cross country championship in 1981. He achieved all-American honors in cross country and track, where he set the still standing steeplechase school record of 8:59.69.
Greg joined Pike Creek Valley Running Club in 2010. Since Greg loves to race for a team, he was drawn to competing in the USATF Grand Prix. His involvement in the racing team has grown from competing in four or five of the road races per year, to competing in nearly all of the road and off road races in 2015, 2016, and 2017. The rare race he misses in the series is because he cannot be in two places at the same time, or he has traveled to compete in a national championship race. Greg’s willingness to compete in any race for team points made him a key contributor to Pike Creek winning the Road Grand Prix in 2014 and 2015, and the Off Road Series in 2017. He has been honored at the USATF Mid-Atlantic banquet for placing in his age group in the Grand Prix, Off Road Series, and was the individual Grand Prix Champion in 2016.
Greg has helped Pike Creek compete in national competition. His fondest memories of competing for Pike Creek are helping the team place 3rd at the 2013 Master’s Cross Country Championship and to a 6th place finish at the 2014 National Club Cross Country Championship. He has also donned the club singlet at the 2015 USATF Mountain Running Championship, the 2016 Master’s half marathon championship, and the 2017 Master’s 5k championship.
Although Greg is an elite competitor, he is encouraging to everyone. He pushes all of his training partners to run a little faster, a little further, and to dig a little deeper. A bad race never gets him down, because, as he says, there is always another race. If someone is feeling bad about a race, he always has something supportive to offer. Greg has been instrumental in club outings after training runs and races, which are open to all members of the club.
Greg’s professional obligations as a math teacher and contract negotiator at Northeastern High School in York, PA limit his ability to participate in club activities during the week. As the head cross country coach and assistant track coach he is passing his love of running on to the next generation.