by Emma Strempfer '24 on November 12, 2023
Editor-in-Chief
News
It’s David Vs. Goliath in the Battle for the Friar 5K Victory!
Providence College’s Homecoming Weekend has rolled around once more. It will take place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 and will be jam-packed with entertainment, education, and some delicious foodie events. The Friar 5K is happening this Saturday, Sept. 30, starting at 9 a.m. The run is a mainstay of Homecoming Weekend and is going on its thirteenth year. Starting at Harkins Hall and finishing at the Ray Tracey Track, students, alumni, parents, faculty, and staff will run or walk just over three miles around campus. Participants will be registered as individuals or in teams. This year, the annual 5K will be benefiting the National Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. Free Friar 5K t-shirts will be available as well!
But it is not all fun and games for this upcoming race. The Cowl has been alerted about a brewing rivalry between Dean Steven Sears and Fr. Dominic Verner, O.P.
Dean Sears and Fr. Dom are well known on campus, for their mutual love of Providence College and also for their commitment to athletic excellence. You will catch them in the gym, running around the track, and off-campus students know of Dean Sears’ routine of running around the Elmhurst neighborhood in the afternoon.
When asked to weigh in on the controversy, students have varying perspectives: “I saw Fr. Dom stretching on the main road in front of Harkins a few days ago,” said Halle Beranek ’24. “I’ve seen him running on, like, ‘the official track’ more… Fr. Dom has those long strides, they could come in handy. But of course, Dean Sears is more intense, so that may be one of his best assets. Fr. Dom is as cool as a cucumber.”
Former PC track athlete, Jack Zygiel ’24 said, “Sears is going to take the win, he’s jacked.”
Emily Baldo ’24 says about Dean Sears, “He’s a winner! He’s got the drive.”
The whole campus is waiting with much anticipation and excitement to see which competitor crosses that finish line first.