UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Penn State cross country team's graduating class is wrapping up its final season in the Blue and White, and hoping to leave a mark as Nittany Lions. Over the past few years, the class has formed a solid bond, while while also welcoming new members to the group throughout their time on campus.
Transfer graduate student Connor McMenamin, says it was a new experience having to adapt to a new team and school, but success still remains the goal.
"It's a whole new cast of people for me, but at the same time everyone's relatively the same. It's more so just adapting to new faces and new surroundings, but the message still remains the same, come and work as hard as you can every day," says McMenamin.
Mcmenamin was eligible to compete for another year due the grant of an extra season due to COVID-19. He made the decision to transfer to Penn State for graduate school and to compete for the Nittany Lions, and has looked to make the most of his time and continue what is built in Happy Valley..
"Just continue the success of the school and to add to it even if it's only for a short period of time," says Mcmenamin.
Senior Isaac Davis said he's been at Penn State long enough that his teammates trust him in knowing what to expect, and knows that he expects greatness from his team.
"It's good just to know people look up to me and hold you to a high standard so that they hold themselves to a high standard," Davis said.
Davis believes the bond with his senior class has strengthened following the pandemic due to living together and always being around each other.
"We bonded amazingly over the last four years, I feel like they're going to be my friends for the rest of my life," says Davis.
"I want to leave a legacy of having fun with the sport as well as taking it seriously, having great memories just because you can't always be serious with it," he added on what he hopes to leave behind when he graduates.
Fifth year student Alex Tomasko, believes his leadership role this season has been focused on trying to make a fun atmosphere on the team.
"As a fifth year, I just try to keep things cool, calm, and collective in the locker room and just try to create an inviting atmosphere," said Tomasko. "I just want to be known as someone who gave 110% every day. I want to be remembered as someone that stepped up and exceeded expectations.".
Tomasko says at first it took him some time to get to know people coming in as a freshman, but over the years has formed a tight bond with his class.
"They mean a lot to me, they helped me a lot through the thick and thin and I really enjoyed my time here at Penn State. I'll always cherish spending it with my class."
Being a sixth-year student on the team, Domenic Perretta, says he has spent this season trying to help out his younger teammates.
"I'm just trying to help out the younger guys so that when I leave there's a foundation already set in place and can continue on." There's a lot of younger guys that want to step up and be leaders, so I think we're getting back to the team aspect," said Perretta.
The cross country graduating class looks forward to finishing their season on a strong note, while also being a positive influence on their younger teammates.
