Blue White Illustrated

W hen Brannon Kidder returned to Hay- ward Field in April, it was just the 8rst of what he hopes will be multiple trips in 2016. With Eugene, Ore., playing host to both the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the Olympic trials this summer, the Penn State senior could cap o: his collegiate career and make his professional debut in the same place if everything goes according to plan. As the outdoor 2015 800-meter run- ner-up and 2013 bronze medalist, Kidder is wrapping up his career as one of Penn State's top runners in one of the most competitive distances in the country right now. "It 9ew by, but it was a great experience. I made a lot of great friends and grew as a person and as a runner," said the All- American from Lancaster, Ohio. "It's meant a lot, my experience here at Penn State, and so hopefully I can 8nish it up strong." As a freshman, Kidder 8nished third in the NCAA championships right behind fellow Nittany Lion Casimir Loxsom. It was the 8rst time since 1948 that team- mates were two of the top three 8nishers. At the time, Loxsom was the successful upperclassman 8nishing his own collegiate career that would eventually lead to a pro- fessional running contract with Brooks. Since then, Kidder has stepped in as the next up in a succession of championship- caliber Penn State middle distance runners, a list that includes Ryan Foster (2011), Owen Dawson ('11) and Lox- som ('13). Given his own ex- perience, Kidder is trying to pass along what he's learned from those runners to his younger teammates, includ- ing talented freshman Isaiah Harris, the school record- holder in the 800. Kidder said he's empha- sized the need for consis- tency and the importance of performing well when it matters most. "It's fun to run fast now," he explained, "but hopefully we'll be ready come time, so [the goal is to] just try to pass on that patience and consistency in our training." Penn State head coach John Gondak agrees that Kidder has accepted the mantle of leadership – not only as team captain, but especially as a mentor to Harris. "Brannon has been a great leader to Isaiah and really showed him the ropes. Isaiah is obviously very talented, but Bran- non is full of con8dence," Gondak said. "You know you worry, sometimes, how they'll handle it if a freshman comes in like that, but you know they've been great together. They work well together and they're good friends, so it's really excit- ing." Kidder has quali8ed for multiple NCAA championships, both indoors and out- doors, been a part of record-setting relay teams, holds several Big Ten champi- onships, and set Penn State and meet records at multiple distances. He holds the school record in the 1,500 (3 minutes, 38 seconds), and this past winter he raced MIDDLE MANAGER Brannon Kidder goes the distance for PSU track team | VARSITY VIEWS CHASE SCENE Kidder is the lat- est in a series of outstanding middle distance runners at Penn State. Photo courtesy of Penn State Ath- letics

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