Dani Prunzik is fulfilling every high school athlete's dream by pursuing the opportunity to compete for a NCAA Division I program.
The Upper St. Clair senior has committed to Penn State University, where she will run under the guidance of sprint coach Brandon Rizzo. "Coach Rizzo was very welcoming; I like the energy he brings to the program. I liked his description of the workouts and how he runs the squad," explained Dani.
Penn State competes in the Big Ten conference alongside other strong sprinting programs such as Ohio State, Purdue, and Minnesota. "Competing at the Big Ten level is one of the highest levels you can compete at for track, and I was excited a Big Ten school recruited me," said Prunzik.
Besides the coach, the location, facilities, and Penn State colors, Prunzik will have the opportunity to train and race with former Upper St. Clair standout Jane Madson. She held the Upper St. Clair 100-meter dash & 200-meter dash school records before Dani broke both.
"I am very excited for the opportunity to run with her. I met her my freshman year at indoor states, and it was so cool to see an Upper St. Clair athlete competing for Penn State; now I get to be teammates with her" said Prunzik.
Upper St. Clair sprint coach Matt Cosgrove has coached both athletes and considers them two of the top female sprinters to ever come through the Upper St. Clair program. "I was disappointed that they didn't have that opportunity to compete with one another in high school. It is cool now that they have a hometown connection, and I think Jane will be a great mentor for Dani. I'm ecstatic that they can have an overlapping year" said Coach Cosgrove.
With the college commitment checked off her list, Prunzik is more determined and motivated this season to achieve her indoor & outdoor track goals. She has set her sights on running 7.5 in the 60, and winning the 100m and 200m WPIAL Finals. She has shifted her training, and is focusing on her complete preparation.
Prunzik is the 2021 & 2022 WPIAL AAA girls' 100-meter dash champion. She can join an exclusive WPIAL list this outdoor season that includes the 2004 Olympic 100-meter dash runner-up Lauryn Williams from Rochester high school. Since 1980 only seven female sprinters have won three WPIAL 100-meter dash championships.
Prunzik winning the 2022 WPIAL Finals
She finished runner-up in the PIAA State Championship 100 meter dash last spring, with a blistering 12.05.
With her commitment, Prunzik joins a stout list of Pennsylvanians who have already committed to Penn State, including Brian DiCola (Hatboro Horsham), Brett Kroboth (Peter Township), Jake Borgesi (South Fayette).
