DuBOIS, Pa. — The Penn State DuBois men’s and women’s cross-country teams recently concluded their 2024 campaigns, showcasing steady growth and impressive performances. Each race throughout the season served as a steppingstone for the teams, culminating in standout results at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Cross Country National Championships on Nov. 10, where freshman Jack Craig placed sixth nationally.

Wolfpack Invitational
The season began on Aug. 30 at the Wolfpack Invitational hosted by Westmoreland County Community College. Craig, a freshman from Strattanville, led the Penn State DuBois men’s team with a seventh-place finish, crossing the line in 18:11.60. Fellow freshman David Kunselman of Punxsutawney also made his debut with a strong 14th-place finish. On the women’s side, sophomore Hailey Theuret, paced the Lady Lions with a 23rd-place finish, followed by Rebecca Martin in 24th.

Allegheny Classic
The Allegheny Classic on Sept. 21 tested the teams against a competitive field. Craig again led the men’s team, finishing 14th with a time of 24:11. Kunselman, Nick Hayes, and junior Chase Hook rounded out the Penn State DuBois contingent, showing steady improvement. The women’s team saw Theuret lead with a 30th-place finish, clocking 24:03.

Penn State Fayette Invitational
On Sept. 28, the Penn State Fayette Invitational marked a breakthrough for the men’s team, with Craig finishing as the runner-up with a time of 31:29.50. Kunselman followed closely in third, and the men claimed four top five finishes. Theuret and Martin continued their strong seasons, placing fifth and sixth, respectively, for the women’s team.

Pitt Greensburg Fall Classic
At the Pitt Greensburg Fall Classic on Oct. 5, Craig notched another impressive result with a third-place finish in 31:03.2. Kunselman’s ninth-place finish contributed to another solid team performance. Rebecca Martin finished 17th for the women, leading the Lady Lions.

La Roche Invitational
The men’s team continued its strong form on Oct. 18 at the La Roche Invitational, where Craig secured fourth place, finishing in 18:23.8. Kunselman followed in fifth, and Hayes placed 11th. For the women, Martin placed 17th as Theuret and senior Tara Leamer rounded out the team’s efforts.

PSUAC Invitational
Competing against fellow Penn State campuses on Oct. 26, Craig placed second overall with a time of 28:52.2, narrowly missing the top spot. Kunselman earned fifth, Hayes eighth, and Hook 15th, helping the men post one of their strongest team performances. On the women’s side, Leamer secured eighth place, her best finish of the season.

USCAA National Championships
The season concluded on Nov. 10 at the USCAA Cross Country National Championships. Craig delivered the highlight performance of the year, finishing sixth nationally with a time of 29:04.90. Kunselman (28th), Hayes (44th), and Hook (72nd) completed the scoring for the men. Leamer represented the women’s team with a 54th-place finish in her final collegiate race.

“Our athletes showed tremendous grit and determination this season,” said head coach Scott Creighton. “Jack’s performance at nationals was a huge accomplishment, and the entire team worked hard to improve every week.”

“At Penn State DuBois, our recruiting focus is on attracting local student-athletes,” added Creighton. “We firmly believe that there is an abundance of talent in District 9 (of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) and the surrounding area that are capable of achieving greatness at higher levels. This team serves as a shining example of this belief.”

For more information about Penn State DuBois athletics, visit the athletics website.