cross country coaches - Fall 2021

 
Mark Fedkin

Mark Fedkin is the current NTF president and the lead coordinator of the Club's track and cross country programs. He is a USATF Level 2 Certified Track and Field Coach; he has been coaching at NTF since the club inception in 2005 and has acquired versatile experience working with youth athletes. He is also an Assistant Coach for State College Middle School track team.
   Mark is a lifetime running advocate. At a younger age he was part of nordic ski and biathlon team in high school, ran track (middle distance) in college, and further trained actively for various races, including marathons and trail races. Mark is an active member of Nittany Valley Running Club in State College PA and ran Boston Marathon four times as part of Centre Volunteers in Medicine fundraising team.
   Professionally, Mark has a Doctorate degree in Geo-Environmental Engineering and currently is a Assistant Teaching Professor in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences  at Penn State. He lives in State College, PA, with his wife Katya and three children, all of whom, avid runners, at different times benefitted from training with NTF.
Coach Jayson
 
  Jayson Jackson
has coached with NTF since 2007 for both the track and cross country programs.  He’s coached hundreds
  of kids to reach their full potential as athletes through the program using a philosophy of hard work, personal responsibility,
  accountability, and a sense of fun, with the hope that these values will spill over to other aspects of their lives. Jayson
  started running competitively from an early age and eventually competed for Penn State Cross Country and Track teams,
  becoming Captain of both teams during his senior year. Jayson has been an Assistant Coach for State College High
  School’s Track  and Cross Country teams, and more recently he became the inaugural cross country and track and field
  coach of St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy (SJCA). Jayson has built up the SJCA teams from the ground floor, and has seen
  steady, incremental success in the program, resulting in state qualifiers and medalists during his tenure. Jayson is the
  main organizer of the Boalsburg Turkey Trot race which raises funds for the St. Joe’s running programs.
  Jayson has a baccalaureate degree in Mathematics from Penn State and currently works for the Penn State Alumni
  Association as their Associate Director of Online Communications. He lives just outside of State College, PA with his wife,
  four daughters, and two dogs who are great running partners.


Andrew Maguire started coaching with NTF when his daughter joined the club in 2011.  With all three children now in the club, he is a committed coach who looks forward to each new season.  He has found a passion with coaching young athletes. His coaching style is founded on 30 years of competitive running experience and acquired knowledge from staying involved in the running community all his life.  Andrew is a member of the Nittany Valley Running Club in State College, co-directs local road races, and has run several marathons for charities (Team in Training, Centre Volunteers in Medicine).
  Andrew has lived in State College with his wife and three children since 2005.  He works from home as a Project Manager in the Water & Wastewater Industry and stays active in the community as a board member of Housing Transitions, Inc.  In his free time Andrew likes to eat donuts.
Coach Mom pic

  Mary Morningstar, A.K.A. Coach Mom, started helping Nittany Cross Country in 2017 and continued coaching in the track
  and field season in 2018. With five kids who enjoy the program, she knew it was one that she could get behind.
  After competing in middle and high school, she continued in college for a couple of years. She likes to use her knowledge
  to help youth recognize potential in themselves and achieve goals they never thought possible. She teaches children a
  good work ethic with a focus on making sure they enjoy the process of accomplishing their goals. Nothing is more fun than
  the ride to get there! Professionally, Mary has a degree in Elementary Education and is certified in Early Childhood
  Education. She now lives in State College with her husband and stays home to raise her five wonderful kids. She also has
  two dogs, Maggie and Loki, and two guinea pigs, Pig and Cow.




Stuart Selber started coaching with NTF when his sons joined the program in 2017. In a past athletic life, he ran for the University of Delaware, earning varsity letters in both cross country and track field. Stuart has years of experience working with developing athletes, especially in his long-time role as Faculty Adviser for Penn State Triathlon. Stuart is an 8x Ironman triathlon finisher and has competed at the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships. To give something back, he has done athletic fundraisers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Gilda’s Club, the Great Cycle Challenge, No Kid Hungry, and other charitable organizations.
He is a professor in the English department at Penn State, where he directs The Penn State Digital English Studio.



  Matthew Lindenberg has been with NTF since 2013 and is certified as a USATF Level 1 coach. Matthew brings a
  successful high-school career in sprinting to the NTF staff and enjoys working with the youth within the program. He loves
  to watch the youth improve throughout the summer, both in their running as well as their self-confidence.


  Professionally, Matthew is a Computer Administrator for the Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering Department at Penn State
  University. In his spare time he enjoys serving the State College community by sitting on the Board of Directors for various
  community groups and volunteering with his local church.


  Matthew lives in State Cllege with his wife & son.

Artie Gilkes
  Arties Gilkes is the NTF jumps coach. He coached jumps for State College High School varisty team from the 2013-14
  school   year until present. In that time State High Jumpers have won 26 individual State medals. Away from the track
  many of his jumpers have excelled at academic and extracurricular activities and grew into balanced individuals. Most
  recently, a state high jump alum was accepted into the very competitive global health minor at PSU.

  " I have been extremely lucky with getting athletic kids who want to excel. But, I do feel my training methodology provides
   that little bit extra to reach the next level."





   


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