2008 USCAA Women's Cross Country National Runner-up to Run at NCAA Divison I, Penn State University

Samantha Snead, left, accepts her USCAA All-American Award from Coach Gary Edstrom at a recent campus awards ceremony.

Samantha Snead, a sophomore at Penn State Worthington Scranton, and member of its women's cross-country team, had a record-setting season this past year and is now making history.

After setting four Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) course records, and winning an individual PSUAC state title, Ms. Snead also placed second at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association's National Championship meet in Virginia.

Now, Ms. Snead has learned that she will be a member of the Penn State women's cross country team at University Park for the Fall 2009 season. She will also be joining the track team for both the indoor and outdoor seasons, and will likely run the 3000 or 5000 meter events.

She is the first female athlete in Penn State Worthington Scranton history to be offered the opportunity to move on to the National Collegiate Atheltic Association Division I level from the PSUAC.

She received the news after meeting with University Park assistant cross-country/track coach John Gondak. Worthington Scranton's assistant athletic director, Jeff Mallas, and cross-country coach Gary Edstrom accompanied her to the meeting.

"Coach Gondak was impressed with Sam's times throughout the season, but even moreso with her performance at the Run for the Diamonds 9-mile road race, held this past Thanksgiving Day, where Sam covered the distance in 58 minutes and 50 seconds," Mr. Mallas said.

Snead, a kinesiology major from Moscow, also made the PSUAC Academic All-Conference this past fall and was a dean's list student with a 4.0 grade point average. She is also a PSUAC All Conference and USCAA All-American team member.

PSU-Worthington- Scranton Webpage http://www.sn.psu.edu/Information/News/30704.htm#NEWS30704