UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State cross country true freshmen Brian DiCola and Claire Zubey were announced as the Nittany Lions' recipients of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award following the 2023 cross country campaign, the conference announced Wednesday.
DiCola and Zubey are both in the midst of outstanding first cross country seasons representing the Blue & White.
For the men's team, DiCola has been a difference-maker in his first season as a Nittany Lion, both on and off the course. The standout freshman was able to run with Penn State's top group on just two occasions during the regular season before making his Big Ten Championships debut for the Nittany Lions last week. In the conference championship meet, DiCola was Penn State's number two runner on the day, finished 23rd in the conference, and was fourth among all freshman in the Big Ten.
Zubey displayed outstanding grit and determination in her first season with Penn State as well. Her impact on the Nittany Lion women's group is best highlighted in her contribution to the team's result at the Big Ten Championships. With Penn State's core group of veterans leading the way, Zubey pushed herself into Penn State's top-five scorers in her first-ever Big Ten meet, helping the Nittany Lion women achieve fourth place as a team, their highest conference finish since 2019.
The pair of Nittany Lion newcomers posted outstanding performances when their teammates needed them the most, and their positive contributions to their new team in training, and off the course, solidify their successful first seasons with Penn State.
LOOKING AHEAD
DiCola, Zubey, and the rest of the Nittany Lions are set for a trip to Lehigh on November 10 for the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Regional Cross Country Championships.
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