UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – With just two weeks remaining until the first meet of the 2024 season, Penn State’s cross country program is primed to build on its success from its 2023 campaign.
Head coach John Gondak’s women’s and men’s squads each posted top-four finishes at NCAA Regionals last season with the women’s team advancing to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2019. Both squads collected valuable Learfield Directors Cup points in the fall season, helping Penn State finish among the top athletic departments in the country in the final standings.
With a mix of veteran leadership and exciting newcomers on both squads, coach Gondak is excited for what’s to come for his cross country program in 2024, citing high expectations for each team entering the season.
WOMEN’S TEAM
“The women’s group looks forward to competing for the opportunity to return to the NCAA Championship after competing there in 11 of the last 15 seasons,” Gondak said. “They have a very experienced squad that will be led by a group of seniors who have rebuilt this team during their time in Happy Valley.”
Following the program’s 24th trip to the NCAA Championships last year, the Nittany Lion women return an outstanding core of runners from that team, including All-Region honorees Florence Caron, Sophia Toti, and Maddie Ullom. Penn State will also return the services of 2023 NCAA Championship runners Faith DeMars, who will be back to full strength after battling injuries last season, Claire Zubey—the only true freshman to run on the Nittany Lions’ championship-running team last year—and Lea Hatcher.
Additional returners include: Charlotte Costich, Katie Dallas, Claire Daniels, Allison Dougherty, Allison Johnson, Hayley Kitching, Cori McCormick, and Sarah Pickering.
Penn State added a number of exciting freshmen to its 2024 roster, including 2023 PIAA cross country runner-up Eva Kynaston and fellow distance standout Maddie Miller. The Nittany Lion women will also receive contributions from freshman Ada Rand.
