University Park, Pa. – Head coach John Gondak has announced the addition of seven student-athletes to the Penn State cross country/track & field programs following National Signing Day.
The signing class includes four female student-athletes and three men's student-athletes. The group includes four distance runners, two sprinters and one thrower.
Penn State's class consists of Collin Burkhart (Nazareth, Pa.), Brendan Colwell (Centre Hall, Pa.) Zoe Duffus (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Allison Johnson (Mount Gilead, Ohio), Korbin Martino (Canal Winchester, Ohio), Lauren Princz (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) and Lindsay Stull (Hilliard, Ohio).
This signing class joins a Nittany Lion program that has mentored 94 first team All-Americans, 99 Big Ten individual champions and captured seven Big Ten team titles since 2010.
Head coach John Gondak said of the incoming class, "Our team and coaching staff are thrilled to welcome seven new members to the Penn State family. Each of these individuals is at a performance level where they can have an impact on our team at the Big Ten and NCAA level right away. Most of their personal bests were from two years ago since there was no spring track last season – so it is even more impressive that these marks are from 10th grade. We are looking forward to seeing them compete in a Penn State uniform next year."
Below is a detailed look at each of our seven incoming student-athletes
Collin Burkhart
Throws
Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area
Personal-Best Marks
Javelin – 203-8, Hammer – 177-6
BEFORE PENN STATE
Earned three USATF All-American honors and was named USATF Mid-Atlantic Region Field Athlete of the Year…Earned PIAA All-State honors and collected league, district and state medals at Nazareth Area in 2019…Tabbed a Morning Call All-Area and EPC All Star…Holds school records in discus and javelin.
PERSONAL
Full name is Collin John Burkhart…Son of John and Amy Burkhart…Father, John, was a member of the track & field program at Lock Haven University…Plans to major in business…Born on May 26, 2003 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"Because it will provide both the athletic and academic opportunities that will prepare me for my future success. I am incredibly excited to work with Coach MacKay and future my teammates. Plus, Penn State track & field embodies everything that I believe in: Commitment, Balance, and Pride."
Brendan Colwell
Distance
Centre Hall, Pa./Penns Valley Area High School
Personal-Best Marks
1600m – 4:18, 3200m – 9:10.58, 5k (XC) – 14:53
BEFORE PENN STATE
Won 2017 PIAA cross country team state championship…Earned two PIAA first team All-State honors (2018,19)…Collected second team All-State honors in 2017…Captured a District 6 cross country team championship in 2018…Earned four varsity letters in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track at Penns Valley.
PERSONAL
Full name is Brendan James Colwell…Son of Mark and Jennifer Colwell…Has two brothers, Chris and Jon…Brother, Jon, was a member of the Penn State track & field/cross country program…Father, Mark, attended Penn State and brother Chris currently attends Penn State…Plans to major in marketing…Born on November 22, 2002 in Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"PSU has great academics, they have an amazing team, and I can't wait to get there!"
Zoe Duffus
Distance
Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll High School
Personal-Best Marks
1600m – 4:51, 3200m – 10:46.45, 5k (XC) - 17:27
BEFORE PENN STATE
Named USATF Indiana Athlete of the Year twice… Finished as runner-up at Indiana State Cross Country Championships in 2020…Earned two All-State honors in cross country (2019,'20)…Captured a pair of Indiana team state titles (2018,'19)…Won four Indiana sectional, regional and semi-state team titles…Placed 41st at Nike Cross Country Nationals.
PERSONAL
Full name is Zoe Duffus…Daughter of Melissa Grahm and Parris Duffus…Has one sibling, Alex Duffus…Father, Parris, played college hockey at Cornell and was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 1990 NHL Entry draft…Plans to major in business…Born on April 8, 2002 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"Because of the excellent balance of academics and athletics that it provides. The coaching staff and girl's on team are truly something special. I am so excited to be a part of a program with such an amazing legacy and can't wait to be a part of it!"
Allison Johnson
Distance
Mount Gilead, Ohio/Mount Gilead
Personal-Best Marks
800m – 2:09.66, 1600m – 4:53.38, 5k (XC) - 17:47
BEFORE PENN STATE
Holds nine Mount Gilead school records…Captured two 800m state titles (800m – 2018,20)…Won seven district championship in track & field and cross country…Earned eight All-Ohio honors in track & field/cross country…Was twice named the KMAC Cross Country Runner of the Year (2018,20).
PERSONAL
Full name is Allison Louise Irene Johnson…Daughter of Jackie and Joe Johnson…Has two siblings, Kaitlyn and Nathan…Plans to major in kinesiology…Born on September 26, 2002 in Mount Gilead, Ohio.
WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"Because of the home feel that the coaches and student-athletes provide. I could really picture myself growing as a person, athlete, and student at Penn State for my collegiate career."
Korbin Martino
Sprints
Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester
Personal-Best Marks
200m – 22.04, 400m – 47.16
BEFORE PENN STATE
Earned All-Ohio honors eight times…Holds the Canal Winchester school records in the 400m, 800m, 4x200m, 4x400m and 4x800m…Also competed in football and swimming in high school.
PERSONAL
Full name is Korbin Champ Martino…Son of Kyle and Dawn Martino…Has two siblings, Karson and Kylen…Plans to major in microbiology…Born on November 2, 2002 in Canal Winchester, Ohio.
WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"The atmosphere, the coaches and the team all had very similar goals as I do."
Lauren Princz
Sprints
Egg Harbor Township, N.J./Egg Harbor Township
Personal-Best Marks
60m - 7.66, 100m – 11.81, 200m – 23.90
BEFORE PENN STATE
Won six state titles at Egg Harbor Township…Set seven school records…Earned nine All-South Jersey honors in the 55m, 100m and 200m…Was a four-time Meet of Champions winner (55m & 200m)…Named the 2018 Runner of the Year…Set freshman 200m state record.
PERSONAL
Full name is Lauren Micheala Princz…Daughter of Claudette and Mike Princz…Has four siblings, Brian, Matt, Chris and Samantha…Plans to major in psychology…Born on February 2, 2003 in Trenton, New Jersey.
WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"Because I see Coach Tucker turning me into a great track student-athlete. I can see myself learn a lot from a wise man like him."
Lindsay Stull
Distance
Hilliard. Ohio/Hilliard Davidson
Personal-Best Marks
800m – 2:09.47, 1600m – 4:49.05, 3200m – 10:48.73, 5k (XC) – 17:46
BEFORE PENN STATE
Earned eight All-State honors in track & field and two all-state honors in cross country at Hillard Davidson…Earned four All-Region, All-District and All-League plaudits…Captured four team district and league championships…Won a pair of state titles in the 4x800m in 2018 & 2020…Was a three-time team regional champion (2018-20)…Set four school records.
PERSONAL
Full name is Lindsay Katherine Stull…Daughter of Kathy and Tony Stull…Has two brothers, Nick and Jon…Plans to major in biology…Born on December 20, 2002 in Hilliard, Ohio.
WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"Because they had a fantastic mix of academic and athletic opportunities."
For more information on Penn State track & field/cross country, visit gopsusports.com
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-Nittany Lions-