Aug. 17, 2017
By Megan Golden
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame cross country team announced its captains for the 2017 season on Thursday. Seniors Brent Kennedy and Kevin Pulliam will guide the men’s squad, while juniors Rachel DaDamio and Anna Rohrer will lead the women’s team throughout the upcoming season.
The Irish coaching staff selects the program’s captains each season, nominating two for both the men’s and women’s teams. In order to be chosen, the student-athlete must demonstrate high standards of conduct and strong leadership and be committed to honestly represent their teammates.
Pulliam, who sat out the 2016 campaign due to injury, competed during the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons last year. Pulliam finished ninth in the 10,000m at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships with a time of 30:17.00 and placed 15th in the 5,000m (14:29.80) at the conference championship.
“Kevin has worked his way up since freshman year,” Irish head coach Alan Turner said. “He has battled with injuries and become one of the leading long distance guys for us last year on the course and on the track. He has high moral standards, is a very hard worker and leads by example.”
Kennedy enters his third cross country season with the Irish. The Allegheny Township, Pennsylvania, native finished 44th in the Great Lakes Region in 2015.
“He has put in the work on and off of the track and course, becoming one of our top cross country guys. He provides that senior leadership verbally and through his work ethic. I think Brent is going to have breakout season, continuing on the progress he has had,” Turner said.
DaDamio contributed to Notre Dame’s second-place team finish at the 2016 ACC Championships, recording a time of 21:06.7.
“Rachel is a clutch runner who performs at her best when we need her — during championship time,” Turner said. “She is highly respected by her teammates and coaches and is a leader on and off of the course.”
Rohrer, last year’s ACC champion, will race in her third cross country season. A two-time cross country All-American, Rohrer ran to a third-place finish at the 2016 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
“She will probably go down as one of the best long distance runners in school history if she is able to stay injury free,” Turner said. “Anna is a great person of high standards and leadership. She competes hard every time on the track or course, expecting to win each and every time.”
For behind-the-scenes coverage of the Irish cross country program, follow @NDXCTF on Twitter and @NDXCTF on Instagram.
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Megan Golden, athletics communications assistant director at the University of Notre Dame, has been part of the Fighting Irish athletics communications team since August of 2016. In her role, she coordinates all media efforts for the Notre Dame women’s soccer and cross country/track and field programs. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Golden is a 2014 graduate of Saint Mary’s College and former Irish women’s basketball manager. Prior to arriving at Notre Dame, she worked in public relations with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.