Big Ten Awards

Coach John Gondak again was named the Big Ten Womens Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year.  It gives me great pleasure is seeing him honored, as he has been with our group from his very first days as an assistant coach.  He is also a very good golfer!

One special note of award grabbed my attention and gives me faith in the goodness of Man and the goodness of the Penn State Track family.

I have especially noted the achievements of Xavier Smith during this Track season and he has been named my choice as Performer of the Meet several times.  But seeing him named as both a First Team Big Ten member and Sportsman of the Year by the Big Ten makes me especially proud to be a Nittany Lion!  Not only is he an excellent competitor and now School Record Holder, but he also has demonstrated and been honored for good academic standards and good citizenship outside the world of track and field.  Congrats Xavier, I am a big fan.  Always continue to elevate the standards to which all the rest of us Lions aspire.

Other Honors:

First Team
Rachel Banks, Penn State
Dannielle Gibson, Penn State
Julie Kocjancic, Penn State
Tichina Rhodes, Penn State
Danae Rivers, Penn State
Xavier Smith, Penn State
Dan Chisena, Penn State
Samuel Reiser, Penn State
Isaiah Harris, Penn State

Second Team
Tessa Barrett, Penn State
Megan McCloskey, Penn State
Alyssa Robinson, Penn State
Bryce Williams, Penn State