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Gondak Announces 15 T&F Early Signings

Nov. 22, 2017

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State cross country and track & field Head Coach John Gondak has announced the signing of 15 future Nittany Lions who have all submitted a National Letter of Intent during the early signing period.

"I am thrilled with our early signing class this year," said head coach John Gondak. "I remain committed to having a well-balanced cross country/track and field program and our class this year shows that. We have top-10 recruits covering all of the disciplines in our sport which will help us continue to maintain the success we have had as a program."

"Last year we won Big Ten Championships with both the men's and women's program, and our women have won twice as many Big Ten Championships as any other school in the conference over the last 10 seasons," Gondak continued. "One of the reasons why is our well-balanced approach to building a team and all of the athletes we have signed during the early period will contribute to this success moving forward. It is a great time to be a Nittany Lion!"

This recruiting class includes seven student-athletes from Pennsylvania, two international student-athletes from England and two from New Jersey, as well as one from Connecticut, Ohio, New York and Rhode Island.

Ryann Brundage | Hometown: Columbus, Pa. | High School: Corry Beavers
Event: Javelin
Personal Best(s): 43.53m (142'-10")

Notes: Ranked 12th best senior in the Javelin in the US. No. 2 Pennsylvania senior javelin thrower

Benjamin Bulkeley | Hometown: Fairport, N.Y. | High School: Fairport
Event: Mid-Distance
Personal Best(s): 800m - 1:50.96, 1,000m - 2:26.81

Notes: Ranked fourth-best senior in the 800m and top senior in the 1000m in the US. New York state champion in the 1,000m (i), 4x800m (i), and outdoor 800m.

Gavin Darcy | Hometown: Dunmore, Pa. | High School: Dunmore
Event: Javelin
Personal Best(s): 64.87m (212'-10")

Notes: Ranked fourth-best senior in the Javelin in the US. Pennsylvania State Champion in the Javelin

Isaac Davis | Hometown: Jersey Shore, Pa. | High School: Jersey Shore Area
Event: Distance
Personal Best(s): 5K (XC) - 15:39.00

Notes: 2017 Pennsylvania cross country state champion

Hudson Delisle | Hometown: Quakertown, Pa. | High School: Quakertown Community
Event: Mid-Distance
Personal Best(s): 400m - 49.51, 800m - 1:52.01, 1,600m - 4:18.73

Notes: Ranked 10th best senior in the 800m in the US. Bronze medalist in the 800m at the Pennsylvania state meet

Breana Gambrell | Hometown: Athens, Pa. | High School: Athens Area
Event: Jumps/Sprints
Personal Best(s): 100m - 11.96, 200m - 25.33, Long Jump - 6.31m (20'-8.50"), Triple Jump - 11.80m (38'-8.75")

Notes: Ranked fourth-best senior in the Long Jump in the US. 2016 & 2017 Pennsylvania long jump state champion, 2017 Pennsylvania triple jump state champion, 2017 Pennsylvania 100-meter state runner-up

Alexis Holmes | Hometown: Hamden, Conn. | High School: Cheshire Academy
Event: Sprints
Personal Best(s): 200m - 24.52, 400m - 54.45

Notes: Ranked eighth in the US in her class as a sophomore in the 400. Also competes in Volleyball.

Drew Maher | Hometown: West Long Branch, N.J. | High School: Shore Regional
Event: Mid-Distance
Personal Best(s): 800m - 1:53.37, 1,600m - 4:09.92, 5K (XC) - 15:31

Notes: Ranked ninth-best senior in the 1600m in the US. New Balance All American in the mile

Wesley Matsuka-Williams | Hometown: Norwich, England | High School: Notre Dame
Event: Jumps
Personal Best(s): 15.43m (50'-7.50")

Notes: 2016 UK school games champion, 2016 English schools' champion, 2016 England U17 champion, 2016 SIAB international champion, 2016 No. 1 ranked U17 in the UK, 2016 No. 5 ranked U18 in Europe, 2016 No. 23 ranked U18 in the world, No. 7 All-Time U17 in British History

Payden Montana | Hometown: Berwick, Pa. | High School: Berwick Area
Event: Throws
Personal Best(s): Shot Put - 14.40m (47'-3"), Discus - 41.50m (136'-2")

Notes: Ranked second-best senior in the shot put in the US. Pennsylvania state champion in outdoor shot put, Bronze medalist at the indoor state meet in the shot put

Malual Mu | Hometown: Trenton, N.J. | High School: Trenton Central
Event: Distance
Personal Best(s): 800m - 1:51.14, 1,600m - 4:14.38, 5,000m - 15:48.40

Notes: Ranked sixth-best senior in the 800m in the US. State Champion in the 1,600m.

Carena Nottoli | Hometown: Hempfield, Pa. | High School: Hempfield
Event: Pole Vault
Personal Best(s): 3.88m (12'-9")

Notes: Ranked third best senior in the pole vault in the US (Indoors). 2017 Pennsylvania outdoor state champion, 2017 Pennsylvania indoor state runner-up

Julia Paternain | Hometown: Cambridge, England | High School: Cambridge & Coleridge
Event: Distance
Personal Best(s): 1,500m - 4:31.94, 3,000m - 9:30.74, 5,000m - 17:19

Notes: ESAA English Schools' 3,000m Champion. 3K time would be ranked second in the US for all seniors

Gianna Rao | Hometown: North Scituate, R.I. | High School: Ponaganset
Event: Throws
Personal Best(s): Hammer - 56.61m (185'-8.75"), Weight Throw - 18.90m (62'-0.25")

Notes: No. 1 Rhode Island returning hammer throw & weight throw, No. 1 U.S returning hammer throw & weight throw, Rhode Island hammer throw state champion, Rhode Island weight throw state champion, No. 4 at New Balance Nationals in hammer throw

Amariah Thomas | Hometown: Columbus, Ohio | High School: Gahanna Lincoln
Event: Sprints
Personal Best(s): 100m - 11.91, 200m - 24.22, 400m - 56.40

Notes: Ohio State finalist in the 100m and 200m.

For more on Nittany Lion track and field, log on to www.GoPSUsports.com or follow the team on Twitter @PennStateTFXC.