UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State track and field program has announced its team captains for the upcoming 2020 indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. Eight Nittany Lions were selected as team captains for the men's and women's track and field teams.
The 2019-2020 team captains include: Maddie Holmberg, Kiara Lester, Danae Rivers, Madison Smith, Michael Biddle, Billy McDevitt, Noah Swaby and Darien Williams.
Maddie Holmberg has been a fixture at the NCAA championships during her time as a Nittany Lion, earning two first team All-America honors in the pentathlon (2018) and heptathlon (2018). Holmberg holds the school record in the heptathlon (5,976 points) and is second all-time in the pentathlon (4,227 points). Holmberg is pursuing a degree in kinesiology.
Danae Rivers is one of the most decorated runners in the history of Penn State track and field. Her list of accolades include: 11 Penn State school records, 2019 800m Indoor National Champion, 1000m collegiate record holder (2:38.58), 9x USTFCCCA first team All-America, 7x Big Ten champion, 2x Big Ten Freshman of the Year, 2017, '18, '19 Mid-Atlantic Women's Track Athlete of the Year (i). Rivers is currently pursuing a degree in integrative arts.
Kiara Lester has qualified for the NCAA East Prelims three times in her career as a member of relay squads. She was also a member of the sprint medley relay team that set a school record in the event at the 125th running of the Penn Relays last year. Lester finished third at the Big Ten Outdoor track and field championships in the 400m race in 2019. Lester is pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism.
Madison Smith ranks fifth all-time in Penn State history in the javelin (52.85m). Smith has qualified each of the last two years for the NCAA East Prelims in the javelin. Last season, Smith finished second at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in the javelin as she set her personal-best mark of 52.85m. Smith is pursuing a degree in bio behavioral health.
Michael Biddle ranks third all-time in Penn State history in the javelin event (73.02m). Biddle won the Big Ten Championship in 2018 as well as advancing to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in both 2017 and 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. Last season, Biddle finished third at the Big Ten Championships in the javelin and advanced to the NCAA East Prelims in the event. Biddle earned his undergraduate degree in community environment and development and is pursuing a masters of management and organizational leadership degree.
Billy McDevitt returns for the Nittany Lions as one of the most experienced distance runners on the team. McDevitt advanced to the NCAA East Prelims in both 2017 and 2019 in the 800m. McDevitt is also currently serving as the captain for the Penn State cross country program. McDevitt is currently pursuing a double major in journalism and telecommunications with a minor in economics.
Noah Swaby enters his redshirt sophomore season after a strong freshman campaign. Swaby finished third at the Big Ten Outdoor Championship in the decathlon. Swaby's final score of 7,411 points ranks him eighth all-time in Penn State history. Swaby's performance at the Big Ten Championships qualified him for the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships held in Austin, Texas last season. Swaby is pursuing a degree in philosophy.
Darien Williams posted a pair of personal-best times last season including a personal-best time a the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in the 100m dash. Williams also set a personal-best mark in the 200m race at the Sykes & Sabock Challenge Cup last February. Williams is pursuing a degree in communication sciences and disorder.
Head coach John Gondak said of his newly appointed team captains, "The coaching staff is very excited about the leadership group that was selected by the team this year. The eight captains we have for the program are outstanding students, leaders and athletes and I am confident they are going to help our team reach the goals we have set for the 2019-20 season. The staff looks forward to working closely with this group during the upcoming season."