Villanova Recruit(s) Excel at New York XC SectionalsErin Jaskot & Brian Cook Take Decisive Wins

Erin Jaskot recently committed to Villanova

Villanova has already gotten a commitment from Tappan Zee's Erin Jaskot (pronounced Jay-Scott), who picked Villanova over Boston College and Penn, and is competing with Syracuse and Fordham for Pearl River's Brian Cook.  Both won their races in convincing fashion at yesterday's cross country Section 1 meet in New York.  Jaskot has been regarded primarily as a middle distance ace, where she has run 2:09 for 800 meters and competed at New Balance Nationals.  Only recently has she moved up in distance and entered the fray in cross country.  As the story below reveals, it's been a very positive transition and Jaskot has achieved solid success at longer distances.  She ran 19:15 yesterday, winning by over a minute.

Brian Cook, from the same high school as current Villanova runner Kieran Brennan, is being heavily courted by coaches O'Sullivan and Carberry, and has narrowed his choices to Villanova, Syracuse, and Fordham.  Cook ran 15:54 -- the third-fastest time ever on the Bowdoin Park course.

Here is the story from The LowHud.com:

Winners in Section 1 Coaches Cross Country Invitational eye counties next

 by Brian Heyman
The Journal News

WAPPINGERS FALLS — Erin Jaskot sprinted under the finish-line sign in her red jersey with “Tappan Zee” emblazoned in white across the front, way ahead of the rest in the senior’s 5K Varsity I race. Next year, she will be proudly crossing the line with “Villanova” on the front of her jersey.

Villanova is also in the running for Pearl River cross country and track star Brian Cook. Later in the day, the senior showed why the Division I program would want him on its side as well.

Cook ran the fastest Bowdoin Park time ever for a Rockland runner and the third-fastest time there ever by a Section 1 runner, winning his Varsity III race in 15 minutes, 54.8 seconds and leading the Pirates to a team title Saturday at the Section 1 Coaches Cross Country Invitational.

Cook will choose Villanova, Syracuse or Fordham

 “I knew the conditions were good, so I figured I would go for a really fast time,” said Cook, who’s also considering Syracuse and Fordham.

Jaskot took her race by a little more than a minute, running 19:15.7 and leading Tappan Zee to a team title, too. The recruiting race for her cross country and track talents came down to Villanova, Boston College and Penn. The Wildcats won, receiving her oral commitment two weeks ago to run on a full ride.

“They offered the most money," Jaskot said. “And it was just the atmosphere of the whole team. I can tell they want to succeed, and that’s something I want to be a part of.”

Next up, Jaskot will try to succeed at the Rockland County Chanpionships Thursday at Bear Mountain.

“I’d like to say I have a chance, but I’ve been battling some calf soreness and tightness,” Jaskot said. “But today I felt fine. … It could be anyone’s race between Kate Zendell, Kelly (Hayes) and I.”