ROSEMONT, Ill. – Graduate student Ryan Watson and junior Ella White of the Penn State cross country team were named the Nittany Lions' recipients of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, the conference announced Wednesday afternoon.
Watson and White were recognized for their contributions to the Penn State cross country program, exemplifying sportsmanship and serving as supportive teammates throughout the season.
Watson has competed in four meets for Penn State this season, demonstrating steady improvement with a strong performance at the Big Ten Championships. He opened the year at the Dolan Duals, finishing 10th overall and ninth on the team with a time of 15:37.8. At the Paul Short Run, Watson placed 170th overall and 10th on the team, clocking a time of 26:06.1.
Watson followed with a time of 24:23.9 at the Pre-National Invitational, finishing 120th overall and third among Penn State runners. Most recently, he recorded a season-best 8K time of 24:00.9 at the Big Ten Championships, placing 42nd overall and second on the team.
White has competed in four meets for Penn State this season. She opened the year at the Dolan Duals, finishing seventh overall and seventh on the team with a time of 18:03. At the Spiked Shoe Invitational, White placed 25th overall and ninth on the team, clocking a time of 21:44.1.
White followed with a time of 21:20.5 at Princeton Meadows, finishing 69th overall and seventh among Penn State runners. Most recently, she recorded a season-best 6K time of 21:12.5 at the Princeton Fall Classic, placing 11th overall and second on the team.
The duo joins graduate students Katie Dallas and Charlotte Costich and seniors Claire Zubey and Nick Sloff in earning postseason conference recognition.
Dallas, Zubey, Costich and Sloff each earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors following their performances at the Big Ten Championships. Dallas led the Penn State women with a 12th-place finish, recording a personal-best time of 20:09.7. Zubey followed in 16th place with a personal-best time of 20:16.2, while Costich finished 18th in 20:16.9. On the men's side, Sloff earned Second Team All-Big Ten recognition after placing 18th with a time of 22:32.8.
Penn State returns to action at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships in Bethlehem, Pa. The women's team has recorded a top-five finish at the regional championships every year since 2005.
PENN STATE'S 2026 BIG TEN CROSS COUNTRY AWARD WINNERS
September 16 – Vivian Kipruto – Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Week
October 7 – Nick Sloff – Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week
October 30 – Katie Dallas – Second Team All-Big Ten
October 30 – Claire Zubey – Second Team All-Big Ten
October 30 – Charlotte Costich – Second Team All-Big Ten
October 30 – Nick Sloff – Second Team All-Big Ten
November 4 – Ryan Watson – Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
November 4 – Ella White – Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
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