July 21, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
Interim Head Coach of Nittany Lion track and field/cross country John Gondak and the Nittany Lion cross country squads have confirmed their 2014 schedule. The regular season will consist of five meets including two high-caliber home competitions at the Blue-White Golf Course, along with Big Ten and NCAA Championships post-season competitions. With two teams composed of experienced upper classmen, combined with a bevy of incoming talent, the Nittany Lions will hope to end their seasons at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, set for late November, at Indiana State University.
"Our 2014 schedule is an exciting one," said Gondak. "We host three competitions at home on one of the best cross country courses in the nation here at Penn State - including the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional on Nov 14th. We are also traveling to outstanding meets at Notre Dame and Indiana State that will prepare our program for the championship portion of the season. We have consistently been a top team in the Big Ten and qualified for the NCAA Championship five consecutive years on the women's side. The men's team is experienced and ready to be a contender at the Big Ten level and earn a trip to the finals as well."
The Dolan Duels hosted by Lock Haven University will once again serve as the Nittany Lions season opener on Friday, September 5. The Blue and White will return home the following weekend, hosting the always-competitive Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational on Saturday, September 13. The Invitational, named in honor of former longtime Nittany Lion men's coach Harry Groves, will feature both collegiate and high school races.
Following a two-week break from competition, the Nittany Lions will face their first major test of the season at the Notre Dame Invitational at the University of Notre Dame on Saturday, October 3. Along with facing tough competition from around the country, this meet will also mark the first meet of the year the Nittany Lions can earn wins to boost their chances of an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships.
Following the Notre Dame Invitational, the Nittany Lions will once again host the Penn State National on the Blue-White Golf Course on Saturday, October 11. The Nittany Lions will then round out their third competition in three weeks by traveling to Terre Haute, Indiana for the Pre-National Invite that will serve as a course preview for the NCAA Cross Country Championships in November.
The Nittany Lions will then hit the postseason trail, heading to the University of Iowa for the Big Ten Cross Country Championships on Sunday, November 2. Following the Big Ten Championships, the Nittany Lion squads will return home to host the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships on Friday, November 14. This will be the first time that Penn State has hosted the meet since the women won their first ever NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship in 2012. This meet will serve as the qualifying round to the NCAA Cross Country Championships at Indiana State on Saturday, November 22.
2014 Nittany Lion Cross Country Schedule
Friday, September 5th - Dolan Duals, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
Saturday, September 13th - The Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational, State College, Pennsylvania
Friday, October 3rd - Notre Dame Invitational, South Bend, Indiana
Saturday, October 11th - Penn State National Open, State College, Pennsylvania
Saturday, October 18th - Pre-National Invite, Terre Haute, Indiana
Sunday, November 2nd - Big Ten Cross Country Championships, Iowa City, Iowa
Friday, November 14th - NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships, State College, Pennsylvania.
Saturday, November 22nd - NCAA Championships, Terre Haute, Indiana