Heard Around the Track

December 17, 2001 - Andy Weilacher, the AA state champion in XC, and 2002 Foot Locker Finalist who was injured in a serious accident November 29th along with teammate Matt Allenson, is currently recovering at home. His plans are to return to school after the holiday vacation. According to a family friend, he is feeling better every day, but will be in a brace for two-three months. At this point, we have no current news on Matt Allenson's condition. For those wishing to send cards (and there have been a lot so far), please email your request and PennTrackXC will give you their home addresses.

December 5, 2001 - Andy Weilacher is now home from the hospital. For those who wish to send a note of support, please email PennTrackXC, and I will give you the home addresses of both Andy Weilacher and Matt Allenson - Don Rich, Publisher

Update: December 3, 2001 - Foot Locker has announced that Andy Weilacher will not be able to run in the finals at Disney World Dec. 8, and Brendan Sullivan of NY will take his place.

Original Story from the Erie Times-News 11/30/01

Update: December 2, 2001 - More is now known about the injuries sustained by Eisenhower teammates Andy Weilacher and Matt Allenson, who were involved in a serious auto accident Thursday afternoon near their homes in Northwestern PA. Both are currently in the Hamot Medical Center in Erie, after being transferred there shortly after the accident from two separate hospitals.

Weilacher, who was the AA State Champion in XC and qualified for the Foot Locker Championships at last weekend's Northeast Championships, apparently has damage to two vertebrae, but no spinal cord damage. He also sustained a head bruise. Weilacher has begun physical therapy, and is hoping for a full recovery. Allenson has sustained a spinal cord injury, but the extent of that injury has not been released.

The two athletes were just a few miles from Eisenhower high school on their way to begin a training run. The roadway was wet, but the cause of the accident has not been released.

 

December 1, 2001
 

AA State Champ and Foot Locker Finalist Andy Weilacher was seriously injured in an auto accident Thursday afternoon near his home, along with teammate Matthew Allenson. Note from PennTrackXC

(from the Erie Times-News)

Warren county teens seriously injured in crash

Two Warren County boys were seriously injured Thursday afternoon when they were thrown from a car that flew into a tree four feet off the ground and overturned on its roof, authorities said. The accident happened at 3:30 p.m. in Farmington Township, about 10 miles north of Warren near the New York state border.

 

State police said the driver, Andrew David Weilacher, 17, of Russell, and the passenger, Matthew Allenson, 17, both suffered major injuries. Allenson's home town was not immediately available. State police at Warren said Allenson is a Warren County resident. Allenson was transferred from\ WCA Hospital in Jamestown, N.Y., to Hamot Medical Center. A nursing supervisor said Allenson, who was being treated in the Hamot emergency room Thursday night, would be admitted to the intensive care unit in serious condition.

 

Weilacher was transferred by ambulance from Warren General Hospital to Hamot. A nursing
supervisor at Warren General said Weilacher was in stable condition when he was transferred.

Last changed: November 29. 2001 10:06PM

 

Note from PennTrackXC: Allenson was Eisenhower's second man this past season, finishing 4th in the state in AA in his first season of running. PennTrackXC asks the track community for their thoughts and prayers for Andy and Matthew.