Carei, five XC runners honored
When the Penn State Fayette cross country team finished up the season last week at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championships, several team members earned All-American status while Joe Carei was named the 2021 USCAA women's cross country Coach of the Year.
Carei had previously won the men's Coach of the Year award, and he spoke about the accomplishment.
"For me to have won the Coach of the Year for the men (previously) and the women makes me feel complete as a coach," he said humbly. "But it's always about the runners. It's always a reflection of the hard work and dedication they put in."
Carei also spoke about the five team members who were named All-Americans after their performances at the national championships.
"I'm proud of the work they put in and consistency was really the key," he said. "They did all of the workouts and everything I asked. Their dedication to the craft is awesome and it paid off."
Nicole Walker (West Mifflin, PA/West Mifflin HS) led the way for the women's team as she finished fourth overall in the 6k with a time of 25:59.
"Being an All-American was one of my goals for this season," she said. "It feels amazing to accomplish that goal and it serves as my reminder that hard work pays off."
Kelsey Wilkins (Monaca, PA/Central Valley HS) came in fifth in a time of 26:22.
"It feels amazing to finish off my college cross country career on such a high note," she said. "I never expected to be back running as this is my second time around college and I couldn't have asked for a better finish or a better team."
Josie Pindro (Hopwood, PA/Geibel Catholic) finished seventh in 26:37.
"Winning a spot as an All-American was a goal I thought was unachievable a year ago but with hard work and great coaching, I made it," she said. "When I look back on accomplishments of the program this season, the whole thing feels surreal."
Chloe Kalp (Melcroft, PA/Connellsville HS) took 10th in a time of 27:48.
"After several months of hard training and suffering from an injury halfway through the season, it felt amazing earning All-American," she said. "Thank you to my teammates, our coach and my family for pushing me along the way."
On the men's side, Mitch Minda (Elizabeth, PA/Elizabeth Forward HS) finished 11th in the 8k in a time of 30:06.
"It was my last cross country race ever so it feels good to finish it off with getting All-American," he said. "It also means a lot to see all the hard work that I have put in over the past six years in the sport pay off."
For more on the cross country team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/xc/index or follow us on Instagram @fayetteathletics.