Aug. 31, 2016
By Megan Golden
NOTRE DAME, Ind. ââ’¬” The University of Notre Dame cross country program added depth to its roster with the addition of eight distance runners this fall, including six on the men’s side and two on the women’s side.
The men’s squad, which welcomed runners from five states, will feature several new faces eager to contribute in their first season. Kevin Salvano, a graduate of Buffalo Grove High School (Arlington Heights, Illinois), and Ryan Schweizer, out of Dowling Catholic High School (Des Moines, Iowa), highlight the class.
Salvano and Schweizer both finished their senior seasons with state championships. Schweizer finished first in the Iowa State Championships in the 800m, 1,600m, 3,200m and Distance Medley his senior year. Schweizer also recorded a final PR of 4:05.1 in the one-mile race.
Freshmen Tyler Keslin (Munster High School; Munster, Indiana), Sean Kurdy (Jesuit High School; Citrus Heights, California), Dustin Macuiba (Warren Township High School; Gurnee, Illinois) and Peter Monahan (St. John’s High School; Worcester, Massachusetts) round out the class.
“We really needed to bring in a deep and talented freshman class for the men’s cross country program and we feel like we accomplished just that,” associate head coach Matt Sparks said. “We will particularly look for Kevin Salvano and Sean Kurdy to step up and make immediate contributions to the cross country program.”
Salvano said the freshmen have impacted the team’s chemistry in just a few weeks on campus.
“We have already become extremely close friends after knowing each other for only a couple weeks,” Salvano said. “We train together, study together, and have already had some memorable and fun times as a group.”
With the loss of last year’s NCAA Champion Molly Seidel, the women’s team is looking to fill her role with two strong freshmen. Maryjeanne Gilbert (Peoria Notre Dame High School; Peoria, Illinois) and Madison Ronzone (Batavia High School; Rosary, Illinois) join the Irish with 12 combined cross country and track and field conference championships over the past four years.
Gilbert, who represented Team USA in Edinburgh, Scotland, in January of 2016, and finished 14th in the Great Edinburgh Cross Country International Challenge, is prepared to make an immediate impact on the women’s team.
“With Molly Seidel exhausting her cross country eligibility we wanted to do everything we could to try and continue the trend of attracting top tier talent,” Sparks said. “We feel like the addition of Maryjeanne Gilbert goes a long way in adding to a long line of established, talented young women in our program.”
The cross country team will open its season in Valparaiso, Indiana, on Friday, competing in the Crusader Open at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Cross Country Freshmen Bios
Tyler Keslin ââ’¬” Munster, Ind. ââ’¬” Munster High School
PREP and PERSONAL: Graduated from Munster High School in May of 2016 ââ’¬¦ lettered in cross country and track and field four times ââ’¬¦ finished in third place in the cross country state championship his junior year ââ’¬¦ was the individual champion in the 3,200m at Regionals ââ’¬¦ set the Munster High School record in the 4x800m as a junior ââ’¬¦ was in seventh place in the individual cross country state championship and seventh place in the 1,600m in the track and field state championship during his senior year ââ’¬¦ set the school record in the 1,600m as a senior ââ’¬¦ named all-state in cross country and track and field ââ’¬¦ received the Scholar Athlete award ââ’¬¦ was a member of the National Honor Society his junior and senior years ââ’¬¦ born in Munster, Ind., to Joseph and Vicky Keslin ââ’¬¦ full name is Tyler John Keslin ââ’¬¦ has one brother, Zach ââ’¬¦ intends to major in biochemistry.
Sean Kurdy ââ’¬” Citrus Heights, Calif. ââ’¬” Jesuit High School
PREP and PERSONAL: Graduated from Jesuit High School in May of 2016 ââ’¬¦ received four varsity letters in cross country and four in track ââ’¬¦ placed fifth as an individual in the state championship ââ’¬¦ was an all-section selection in cross country and track as a junior ââ’¬¦ finished third as a team at the state championship ââ’¬¦ named all-section in cross country and track his senior year … led his team to a third-place finish at the state championship as a senior ââ’¬¦ was a member of the team that won the Stanford Cross Country Invitational ââ’¬¦ was an Eagle Scout ââ’¬¦ born in Citrus Heights, Calif., to Kelly Kurdy and Mary Thompson ââ’¬¦ full name is Sean Timothy Kurdy ââ’¬¦ has one brother, Josh ââ’¬¦ intends to major in mathematics and finance.
Dustin Macuiba ââ’¬” Gurnee, Ill. ââ’¬” Warren Township High School
PREP and PERSONAL: Graduated from Warren Township High School in May of 2016 ââ’¬¦ lettered three times in cross country, three times in track ââ’¬¦ competed in the three-mile race and finished in 15:28 as a freshman ââ’¬¦ made the cross country state championship with a broken foot and finished 141st (15:53) his sophomore year ââ’¬¦ finished 17th in the cross country state championship his junior year (14:47) ââ’¬¦ received all-state honors ââ’¬¦ finished 13th in the track state championship 3,200m race (9:26.83) ââ’¬¦ finished the 3,200m indoor race for the 10th-fastest time in Illinois (9:25.5) as a junior ââ’¬¦ placed eighth in the cross country state championship (14:33) ââ’¬¦ received all-state honors ââ’¬¦ ran the Magis Mile in 4:22.69 ââ’¬¦ finished 26th in the Footlocker MW Regional (15:44) ââ’¬¦ placed 41st in the NXN MW Regional (15:47) ââ’¬¦ was instructed by Olympian Jenny Spangler of Jenny Spangler Racing ââ’¬¦ ran for the Waukegan Invaders for two years and made Nationals … was an Eagle Scout ââ’¬¦ was school representative and social media manager for the Triathlon Club ââ’¬¦ born in Gurnee, Ill., to Carl and Tracy Macuiba ââ’¬¦ full name is Dustin Matthew Macuiba ââ’¬¦ has two sisters, Amanda and Jamie ââ’¬¦ Amanda played soccer for one year and ran cross country and track for three years at Illinois Wesleyan ââ’¬¦ has one brother, John.
Peter Monahan ââ’¬” Worcester, Mass. ââ’¬” St. John’s High School
PREP and PERSONAL: Graduated from St. John’s High School in May of 2016 ââ’¬¦ lettered in cross country four times, indoor track three times and outdoor track four times ââ’¬¦ led his cross country team to Central Massachusetts Cross Country Championships from 2012-15 ââ’¬¦ the cross country team was all-state runner-up in 2015 ââ’¬¦ Saint John’s outdoor track team was sectional champions in 2015-16 ââ’¬¦ named team captain of the track team for three years ââ’¬¦ received the David C. Cassidy award for the most well-rounded junior at the high school ââ’¬¦ is the school record-holder in the two-mile race (9:15), distance medley relay (10:20) and 4x800m relay (7:49) ââ’¬¦ named the 2016 Gary McNulty Award Winner as the top senior athlete at the school ââ’¬¦ received the Richard Christmas award, given to the senior who has made a positive impact in the school community … selected as a 2016 New Balance Indoor Nationals 4x800m Relay All-American ââ’¬¦ graduated from the same high school as Shane Combs, who played baseball at Notre Dame ââ’¬¦ was a member of the Be Like Brit Foundation ââ’¬¦ involved in Saint John’s Campus Ministry ââ’¬¦ volunteered with Special Olympics ââ’¬¦ born in Worcester, Mass., to Charles and Lynda Monahan ââ’¬¦ full name is Peter Francis Monahan ââ’¬¦ has two brothers, Eric and Michael ââ’¬¦ intends to major in science pre-professional studies.
Kevin Salvano ââ’¬” Arlington Heights, Ill. ââ’¬” Buffalo Grove High School
PREP and PERSONAL: Graduated from Buffalo Grove High School in June of 2016 ââ’¬¦ lettered four times in cross country and four times in track ââ’¬¦ was a two-time state qualifier as a team in cross country ââ’¬¦ is the school record holder in the 3,200m (9:04) and three mile race ââ’¬¦ was a state qualifier in the 3,200m as a sophomore ââ’¬¦ received cross country all-conference honors all four years, including a conference championship as a senior ââ’¬¦ earned all-conference and all-state honors in track as a junior ââ’¬¦ earned all-state honors three times and was the sectional runner-up and State Cross Country Champion as a senior ââ’¬¦ was a member of the National Technical Honor Society in Business ââ’¬¦ was an AP Scholar ââ’¬¦ former Irish student-athletes Tom Zbikowski and Jean Marinangeli also graduated from Buffalo Grove ââ’¬¦ born in Arlington Heights, Ill., to Mike and Laurie Salvano ââ’¬¦ full name is Kevin Marshall Salvano ââ’¬¦ has one brother, Steven … intends to major in finance and economics.
Ryan Schweizer ââ’¬” Des Moines, Iowa ââ’¬” Dowling Catholic High School
PREP and PERSONAL: Graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in May of 2016 ââ’¬¦ earned four letters in cross country, four in track and three in swimming ââ’¬¦ earned six letters in lacrosse, three in soccer and two in basketball ââ’¬¦ led the cross country team to state championships his freshman and senior years, third-place finish in the state track championships and a state title in swimming his senior year ââ’¬¦ named all-conference in the 800m and 1,600m as a freshman ââ’¬¦ finished 10th as an individual in the state championships and recorded third-place finishes in the 1,600m and 800m as a sophomore ââ’¬¦ was a member of the varsity swimming team his sophomore year ââ’¬¦ finished as the runner-up in the Iowa State Championships as a junior, including a first-place finish in the 800m, 1,600m and Distance Medley ââ’¬¦ led his team to a seventh-place finish as a team ââ’¬¦ won the 800m, 1,600m and Distance Medley in the Drake Relays and finished second in the 3,200m his junior year ââ’¬¦ won the Iowa State Cross Country Championship as a senior ââ’¬¦ was the Drake Relays champion in the 800m and 1,600m and was the runner-up in the 4x800m relay and Distance Medley ââ’¬¦ won first place in the Iowa State Championships in the 800m, 1,600m, 3,200m and Distance Medley as a senior ââ’¬¦ was the runner-up at the Festival of Miles ââ’¬¦ final PRs included 49.41 in the 400m, 1:50.1 in the 800m, 1:49.2 in the 800m split, 4:05.4 in the 1,600m, 4:05.1 in the mile, 9:15.1 in the 3,200m and 15:25 in the 5K ââ’¬¦ received a Service Cord, an Academic Medal and an Excellence Letter ââ’¬¦ born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Michael and Kathy Schweizer ââ’¬¦ full name is Ryan Michael Schweizer ââ’¬¦ mother and father both ran cross country and track at Mankato State University ââ’¬¦ has two sisters, Karissa, who ran cross country and track at the University of Missouri, and Kelsey ââ’¬¦ intends to major in business.
Maryjeanne Gilbert ââ’¬” Peoria, Ill. ââ’¬” Peoria Notre Dame High School
PREP and PERSONAL: Graduated from Peoria Notre Dame High School in May of 2016 ââ’¬¦ lettered four times in cross country and track and field ââ’¬¦ led her teams to four conference championships in both cross country and track and field ââ’¬¦ finished third in the Class 2A State Championship as a freshman ââ’¬¦ was the sectional champion in the 1,600m and 3,200m and state runner-up in the 3,200m her freshman year ââ’¬¦ was regional champion and sectional champion as a sophomore ââ’¬¦ finished as state runner-up in the Class 2A State Championship ââ’¬¦ recognized as Runner of the Year by the Illinois Valley Striders in 2013-14 ââ’¬¦ was the conference champion in the 800m, 1,600m and 3,200m and the state champion in the 3,200m ââ’¬¦ won the Class 2A Illinois State Cross Country Championship as a junior ââ’¬¦ named Tri-County Female Athlete of the Year by the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 ââ’¬¦ was the State of Illinois Gatorade Female Runner of the Year in 2014-15 ââ’¬¦ finished first in the 3,200m at the Class 2A Illinois State Championship and was fourth in the 1,600m ââ’¬¦ was the Class 2A Illinois State Cross Country Champion as a senior ââ’¬¦ was the runner-up at the Foot Locker Cross Country Nationals 5K in 2015 ââ’¬¦ named an All-American ââ’¬¦ was runner-up at the New Balance Indoor Nationals 5K and set an Illinois state record ââ’¬¦ was Class 2A Illinois State Champion in the 3,200m and 1,600m (4:53, PR and school record) her senior year ââ’¬¦ was Peoria Journal Star Honor Roll Meet Champion in the 3,200m (10:23, PR and school record) and 1,600m ââ’¬¦ represented Team USA in Edinburgh, Scotland, in January of 2016, finishing 14th in the Great Edinburgh Cross Country International Challenge ââ’¬¦ received the Excellence in French Language Award in 2016 ââ’¬¦ named a Sterling Merit Scholar ââ’¬¦ was a member of the National Honor Society ââ’¬¦ recognized by peers as Woman of the Year ââ’¬¦ accumulated more than 150 hours of community service in high school ââ’¬¦ full name is Maryjeanne Terese Gilbert ââ’¬¦ born in Peoria, Ill., to George Gilbert and Beth Domnick Gilbert (’82) ââ’¬¦ has two brothers, Robert and Christopher, and two sisters, Dominique (’10) and Megan (’17) ââ’¬¦ grandfather, John W. Gilbert (’42), also graduated from Notre Dame.
Madison Ronzone ââ’¬” Batavia, Ill. ââ’¬” Rosary High School
PREP and PERSONAL: Graduated from Rosary High School in May of 2016 ââ’¬¦ received four varsity letters in cross country and four in track and field ââ’¬¦ led her team to track and field conference championships from 2013-15 and sectional championships in 2015-16 ââ’¬¦ led her cross country team to qualify for the IHSA State Championship in 2013 and 2015 ââ’¬¦ qualified for the IHSA State Championship as a sophomore, the first to qualify in school history ââ’¬¦ named All-Academic Conference for track and cross country for four years ââ’¬¦ named the Most Valuable Runner on her cross country team as a junior and senior ââ’¬¦ was the recipient of the John Bryan Outstanding Track Athlete Award her sophomore and senior seasons ââ’¬¦ finished in seventh place and was named all-state at the IHSA State Track Championship as a sophomore ââ’¬¦ finished in 16th at the cross country IHSA State Championship her junior year ââ’¬¦ led the track team to a conference championship ââ’¬¦ finished first in the 1,600m indoor race, was runner-up in the 1,600m run at the IHSA State Championship (5:00.14) ââ’¬¦ placed sixth in the Girls Championship Mile at the NIke Festival of Miles as a junior ââ’¬¦ was the Regional Champion and named all-state in cross country as a senior ââ’¬¦ finished 14th at the IHSA State Championship ââ’¬¦ named all-state with a fourth-place finish in the IHSA State Championship 1,600m run (5:01) ââ’¬¦ placed third in the 4x800m at the IHSA State Championship ââ’¬¦ received all-conference honors in the 3,200m and 1,600m ââ’¬¦ made the High Honor Roll all four years ââ’¬¦ was a member of the Foreign Language Honor Society as a junior and senior ââ’¬¦ was Co-president of the Interact Club ââ’¬¦ received an academic letter in five semesters ââ’¬¦ was in the National Honor Society as a junior and senior ââ’¬¦ full name is Madison Mary Ronzone ââ’¬¦ born in Downers Grove, Ill., to Matthew and Elizabeth Ronzone, both Notre Dame graduates ââ’¬¦ father ran cross country and track, and great grandfather, Matthew Ronzone, Sr., played football for the Irish ââ’¬¦ has one brother, Michael, and one sister, Megan ââ’¬¦ intends to major in biochemistry.
Megan Golden, athletics communications assistant director at the University of Notre Dame, has been part of the Fighting Irish athletics communications team since 2016 and coordinates all media efforts for the Notre Dame women’s lacrosse, cross country and track and field programs. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Golden is a 2014 graduate of Saint Mary’s College, and prior to arriving at Notre Dame held positions with Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.