Elizabethtown College has welcomed a Division I All-American athlete as an assistant coach for the cross-country and track and field teams.
Stefanie Cassel, who graduated from Edinboro University, started this year as an assistant coach at Etown. Cassel got her bachelors in exercise science from Edinboro and has her masters in exercise science and physical education from the University of New Mexico.. Being an accomplished runner at both the Division I and II levels, Cassel brings a unique skill set to the team.
During her college career, Cassell was a six-time All-American, earning the honor in cross country and in three track events: the mile, 3000 meters, and 1500 meters.
Etown junior and member of the women’s cross-country team, Gwyneth Young, believes Cassel’s experience and input has the potential to improve her team. Young notes Cassel as “gentle” and as a “person to relate to.”
After an October race, Young credited the team’s success this season to Cassel and Coach Brian Falk, the head coach of the women’s cross-country team. “We were happily surprised with our team’s place at the race. It shows our hard work is paying off at the right time,” Young stated. “I believe Coach Cassel’s input over the time she’s been here has definitely helped us improve. I think her [Cassel] and Coach Falk working together has helped us really improve.”
Young shared that Cassel and Falk have “a great dynamic” which allows the runners on the team to grow and improve in their sport. Not only has Cassel’s experience and professionalism been beneficial to the runners, but to Falk as well.
“It’s been really valuable to have another knowledgeable professional beside me at practice every day,” Falk said.
Cassel believes while the teams already have a lot of potential to succeed, she wishes to bring her own experience to the table.
“There is already a strong culture here at Etown that has evidently been developed over many years.” Cassel said. “There is a great group of men and women with a lot of potential, and I am excited to bring my own experiences competing at the conference and national level to this team and see them reach for big goals.”
A new sense of comfort and motivation joined the team along with Cassel. Young stated that it is “nice to have a girl” as she is someone to talk to and “everyone needs that person to relate to.” A female coach can bring experience that a male coach may not be able to provide.
“I see the value in having a female coach on staff of all teams, but especially women’s teams,” Cassel said.
While the cross-country season is drawing to a close, keep an eye out for Cassel’s influence during the winter indoor track season and the spring outdoor track season.
