UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Head coach John Gondak has been named the Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the fourth time in the last five seasons. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its regional awards Tuesday afternoon. Award winners were voted upon by USTFCCCA member coaches.
Penn State cross country head coach John Gondak added to his already impressive resume as the Nittany Lions head coach by earning his latest Coach of the Year award.
Congratulations to @CoachGondak as he was named Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the 4th time in the last 5 years!
— Penn State Track & Field/Cross Country (@PennStateTFXC) November 19, 2019
Gondak has been on staff for 11 Big Ten Championships in T&F/XC and led the Nittany Lions to 4 of the last 5 Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships in XC! pic.twitter.com/mHzJXclPS3
Gondak receives the honors following the Mid-Atlantic Regional meet last week at Lehigh University. Gondak and associate head coach Angela Reckart led the Nittany Lion women's team to their fourth Mid-Atlantic regional championship in the last five seasons. With the Nittany Lions regional championship, Penn State earned the automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championship meet. Penn State has finished in the top 20 each of the last four seasons under Gondak at the NCAA Championship meet.
Head coach John Gondak said of his recent honor, "Thank you to the USTFCCCA and the coaches of the Mid-Atlantic Region for this award. Having won the region four of the last five years really shows the consistency and determination of our women's cross country team.
I really need to thank Coach Reckart as she was an instrumental part in both our men's and women's team success this fall. While our women get to advance to the NCAA finals for the fifth straight season, our men made great improvements as well. It was the first time in 10 years both programs finished in the top five at the Big Ten Championships."
Gondak led Penn State to three consecutive regional titles from 2015-2017 along with a Big Ten team title in 2015 where he was named Big Ten Coach of the Year.
The Penn State women will compete at the NCAA Championships for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons and 23rd appearance overall.
For more on Nittany Lion cross country, log onto www.GoPSUsports.com or follow the team on social media @PennStateTFXC.