Rivers has made smooth transition at Penn State

By Mary Albl for DyeStat 

Danae Rivers is a fearless runner. 

Back in the spring of 2013 at the Connecticut State Open Track and Field Championships, Rivers, a freshman at Wilbur Cross High in New Haven at the time, swiftly took to the front of the 1,600-meter pack with conviction. 

In a field of runners that featured now-Stanford freshman Hannah DeBalsi, Rivers built a 100-meter lead for nearly three laps. Her daring and unabashed approach took its toll eventually, as she was passed on the final turn, finishing in fourth place. But her gritty effort propelled four runners to under five minutes. 

Flash forward four years later and that no-holds-barred approach hasn’t changed. The Penn State freshman owns the third-fastest mile time in the country (4:32.55) and is having a record-breaking season; all in part to her running style. 

“I think it comes from just having a passion for the sport,” Rivers said of her approach to running. “It feels weird saying that, because of all of those years running Age Group Track as a young child, I never really thought of it this way. But now I’m in college and seeing everybody else enjoying the sport, I have to say, just having that passion, and enjoying it, as a sport.” 

Rivers helped guide Penn State to a Big Ten Indoor Championship this past weekend, contributing 20 points. Rivers won the 800-meter crown (2:06.10) and ran the anchor on the winning distance medley relay, overtaking the lead with 300 meters left. 

That seasoned, yet youthful outlook is what has propelled Rivers to be one of the best collegiate middle-distance runners this indoor season. 

In her first race for the Nittany Lions in mid-January, she set a school record in the 600 (1:29.06). A week later at the Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational in Kentucky, she broke the 800-meter school record (2:04.04). Rivers added to the list yet again Jan. 28 at the PSU National Open, winning the mile in another school-record time of 4:34.87. 

Her personal-best 4:32.55 in the mile came Feb. 11 in Seattle at the Husky Classic where Rivers bested a field of more than 80 runners. Since high school, she’s shaved nearly 20 seconds from her mile time. 

Nittany Lions head coach John Gondak said he first heard of Rivers from Penn State alumnus Casimir Loxsom, now a Brooks Beast professional runner. Loxsom is also a Wilbur Cross graduate. 

Gondak explained he isn’t too shocked about Rivers’ times thus far. This past fall, working with the cross country team and the workouts she was doing were all indicative of the success that was to come. 

“Cross country was completely different for me with the mileage adjusting, and it was really great to run with girls who can run around the same time as me and challenge me,” Rivers said. “I think mentally that pushed me.” 

Working with the cross country team provided a different perspective for the middle-distance runner. Rivers tells a story from when she went on a longer-than-anticipated tempo run with the team. 

“My coach was like, ‘You’re running 10 miles today,’” Rivers said with a laugh. “And I’m like, ‘Uh.’ As the person I am, I’m not going to question him. I’m like, ‘OK, it’s going to make me better,’ but that was different.” 

Gondak vividly remembers that run too. The veteran coach said Rivers had probably never run 10 miles before that day, but he wasn’t worried. He knew Rivers could handle it. 

The tale illustrates Rivers easy-going persona and willingness to be all in. 

“She’s always got a smile on her face and works hard,” Gondak said. “She trusts the process.” 

Rivers will more than likely focus her attention on the DMR and the mile March 10-11 at the NCAA Indoor Championships in College Station, Texas. 

Although the freshman said she feels like she’s changed as a runner since high school – stronger and a bit quicker – she’s still the same genuine and confident individual ready to lead any race. 

“I’m still a humble person. I still thank God for blessing me my with what I can do, and I feel like I’m still the same person,” Rivers said. “I just go and work and know that whatever I put in is what I’m going to get out.”