UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-- The Penn State cross country team feels support from each other, and just as importantly, from outside the team huddle. The student-athletes have family who come from all over the country to not just home meets, but away meets as well. The care and dedication that these families give is noticed, and is a huge support to the runners in blue and white.
Senior captain Katie Munks from Chester, New York, about three and a half hours from State College, has had her mother at every single meet since she committed to Penn State. This cross country season, Katie won both of her final meets in Happy Valley and her family was able to see her cross the finish line for her final time on the Penn State Golf Courses.
Katie's mother, Susan Munks, works very diligently during the week but is given the opportunity of taking off work and coming to support Katie.
"My mom is a religious coordinator at the Saint Columba church so meets landing on Friday mornings are perfect. She would take off from work on Friday and drive to Penn State and watch the meet, have lunch with me and then drive home. The away meets are harder but my mom has a great boss that allows her to take off from work to travel to wherever he meet is," Katie said.
Susan does not only love having the day off from work, but she enjoys bringing snacks for this team. She knows being away from home can be hard for college athletes and tries to make it easier by bringing some home cooked goodies.
"We bring a lot of food for the entire team to help support them and we know the kids love some homecooked goodies," Susan said.
Not only does Susan bring food but she brings her enthusiasm and spirit to the entire course. She loves running around the course looking for her daughter to help cheer her on. She tries to find areas where no one is cheering Katie on and tries to give her some extra support.
Katie and Susan have been through it all together and Katie is lucky enough to have her mother be as supportive as she can be.
"Seeing my family on the course is amazing, my mom has been there for me since I started running in 8th grade and she has seen all the high moments and all the low moments as well. Seeing her on the course always motivates me to be better," Katie said.
Susan expressed that she has seen it all with Katie. She has been able to love and care for her daughter during the lows of her running career. But more excitingly, Susan is the first one to cheer on Katie when she gets a personal record or finishes the race in first place.
"It is super exciting seeing her succeed at home and its validating that all of her hard work is helping her succeed," Susan Munks said.
Katie is nothing but grateful for her family and all they have done for her. She could not do what she does every day without the love and support from them.
"My family has always pushed me outside of my comfort zone when I needed that extra motivation and that kickstarted my career in running. They have traveled everywhere with me, bought my shoes every two months, and always believed in me even when I doubted myself," Katie said.
The Munks have a special family bond that helps Katie grow not just as an athlete but as a person.
"Since I am an only child, my family is incredibly close knit. My mom is my best friend and that has given me a great support system to lean on," Katie said.
