Paxson Menard Joins EIU Cross Country/Track Team
Thursday, February 28 2013
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois cross country coach Erin Howarth has announced the signing of distance runner Paxson Menard to join the Panthers cross country and track teams next fall. Paxson currently runs at Belvidere North High School.
At Belvidere North he was part of the program's recent success as the school won three straight IHSA Class 2A state championships between 2009 and 2011. During his senior season the program was the state runner-up. Three times he earned All-State honors in cross country earning a 7th place finish as a sophomore and 9th place finish a junior. He posted his best career time of 14:52 as a senior finishing 16th at the state championships in a very fast Class 2A field. In track he has been a two-time state qualifier.
“Paxson is one of the most energetic young men I have recruited. He has an incredible amount of passion for the sport of distance running and knows what it feels like to be successful individually and as a team,” said Howarth. “Having been on a state championship team in cross country 3 years in a row, he understands what it takes to be at the top and stay at the top; more importantly he understands the discipline involved to be successful every year and how to keep an entire team motivated to continue that success. Paxson will add a great deal of positive energy to EIU Cross Country and Track & Field. We welcome Paxson and his family to the Panther Family.”
At Belvidere North he was part of the program's recent success as the school won three straight IHSA Class 2A state championships between 2009 and 2011. During his senior season the program was the state runner-up. Three times he earned All-State honors in cross country earning a 7th place finish as a sophomore and 9th place finish a junior. He posted his best career time of 14:52 as a senior finishing 16th at the state championships in a very fast Class 2A field. In track he has been a two-time state qualifier.
“Paxson is one of the most energetic young men I have recruited. He has an incredible amount of passion for the sport of distance running and knows what it feels like to be successful individually and as a team,” said Howarth. “Having been on a state championship team in cross country 3 years in a row, he understands what it takes to be at the top and stay at the top; more importantly he understands the discipline involved to be successful every year and how to keep an entire team motivated to continue that success. Paxson will add a great deal of positive energy to EIU Cross Country and Track & Field. We welcome Paxson and his family to the Panther Family.”