Penn State Track Alumni (Golfer) Dominates PSAC XC

It turns out that Austin Pondel had an extra year of eligibility remaining and found himself a home near his childhood home at Edinboro University being coached by another Penn State Track and Field Alumnus, Ryan Foster!

Austin won last week's PSAC Championship at California, PA, helping his team place second overall.

Austin Pondel.

There is a fund raising underway to help continue the great work Ryan, Kara and Austin are doing for Edinboro.  Consider giving at least a little to spread the good word of PSU XC!

Edinboro XC.

Coaches Kara and Ryan Foster.

Some Real Photos For Once! From The Wings Of A Gator (or something)

Mark Hawkins made it to the NCAA Regional Meet at PSU last week and brings us many, many photos to peruse on his Facebook site.  I've selected a few to highlight on the blog with it all.

Here's the aforementioned Gator.  Notice all the smiling blokes (are Aussies blokes too?).  They are smiling because they will alll be inside the Gator's warm cocoon while Mark sits in the back working his shutter!

Here's a smattering of Nittany Lions captured by the CMOS (or is it CCD?) of Mark's behemoth.

Ean Disilvio.

Matt Fischer.

Wade Endress.

Austin Pondel and Tony Russel.

Glen Burkhardt.

All photos by Mark Hawkins.

Best Ever B1G Finish For Men (Tied with 2000 finish)

"If you're better than the Big Ten, then you're a professional," ·

 "The competition is so awesome, you'll crap in your pants." 

"There are no gifts in the Big Ten. You have to earn every point and every place."

-Coach Harry R. Groves, on the competition in the Big Ten

The Penn State Men placed third in the Big Ten XC Championships in Iowa City, Iowa today.  The duo of Matt Fischer and Glen Burkhardt provided the important team lead with their 8th and 11th place finishes.  Wade Endress (19), Tony Russel (25) and Robby Creese (29) rounded out the scoring.  They also had the best spread of all teams with 27.5 seconds!

Ean Disilvio (49), Brannon Kidder (78), Bobby Hill (88), and Austin Pondel (93) also ran well.

Our congrats to Coach John Gondak and the entire team. (I include those who didn't make the trip as well. The importance of everyone involved is a big part of our Alumni efforts.  We really understand the commitment, dedication and hard work that all of this entails.) With 8 of the 9 runners able to compete next year, things are looking up for the Nittany Lions.

   Mens 8k

Fischer Fourth at Mid-Atlantic Pre-Nats: Lady Lions Also Third

Matt Fischer again led the race for a significant portion and finished fourth for the Nittany Lions.  The Men finished fifth overall with 3 Freshman chipping in.

The ladies (am I allowed to say that?) finished third and are projected to make the Nationals, although the official announcement won't come until 3:00PM today.

All-Region Finishers and Coach Gondak and Coach Sullivan.

PSU Lady Lions in the lead early.

The race was also the last XC race for Senior Nick Scarpello, who was third for the Men. He sums it up quite well.

Thanks everyone, to my mom and dad, and to Steve and bill and Ian for coming to my last race, and all my other friends and family and teammates who helped me through these last six cross country seasons. It went by way too fast and I will miss it a ton- I'll especially miss the nerves of the start line and that fire in the legs with 1000 meters to go. XC is the best season- a sport that made me feel overwhelmingly weak and yet immensely powerful all in the same moment, battling through the grass, dirt and mud with teammates. Feel so blessed to have ended it on a high note. Kicked it home with all I had. Thanks to those who supported me through it. Best of luck to Fischer, Leigha, and Marta (and the rest of the ladies if they qualify) at nationals. Kick a**, State!

I hated to tell him that things actually start to accelerate after college!  But I think he can handle it.

Connor Quinn and Nick Scarpello. Photo by Sally Smith Pondel.

Wade Endress, Nick Scarpello, Austin Pondel and Connor Quinn. Photo from Sally Smith Pondel.