Former Runners and Parents Claim Coaches Art and Linda Kranick Built Championship-Level Cross Country Program Rife With 'Psychological and Emotional Abuse'

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Former runners in the storied cross country and track programs at Saratoga Springs High in New York allege that unchecked abuse has been allowed to persist for decades and that coaches Art Kranick and Linda Kranick maintained "a toxic culture of control" in their desire to win championships. 

A group called Safe Athletics For Everyone (SAFE) sent a 77-page legal complaint to Gov. Kathy Hochul, state attorney general Letitia James, state education commissioner Dr. Betty Rosa, Board of Regents chancellor Lester Young, Jr., and Robert Zayas, the executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association last week. 

The complaint names the Kranicks as well as the school's girls soccer coach and a former girls lacrosse coach and claims that the Saratoga Springs School District has ignored its own Code of Conduct when previous concerns were raised. 

Saratoga Springs has been one of the nation's most prominent and successful girls cross country programs since shortly after the Kranicks became the coaches there in 1985. The team has won 17 NYSPHSAA state championships, won the inaugural Nike Team Nationals in 2004 and also won the two most recent Nike Cross Nationals titles in 2019 and 2022. 

Seven former runners, all of whom graduated from 1988 and 1999, and three parents of recent graduates (2018-22) submitted anonymous letters detailing their experiences. 

The accusations include ignoring medical advice given to injured runners, restricting who students are allowed to socialize with, monitoring food intake and other controlling behaviors. 

Most of the letters in the document were written by people who did not want their names attached, for fear of reprisal. 

Kristen (Gecewicz) Gunning, who competed for the Kranicks in the late 1980s, did attach her name. 

"This letter is my third attempt in 35 years to bring awareness to the truth, the truth that the running program under the leadership of both Art and Linda Kranick is a toxic culture of control and abuse of middle and high school girls all in the name of winning," Gunning wrote. "The Saratoga Springs School Board and District Administration have not only accepted and allowed the physical, mental, and emotional abuse of girls as evidenced by their lack of action, lack transparency, and lack accountability, but have actually been celebrating it for 35 years."

The complaint, filed on behalf of SAFE by attorney Martin J. Greenberg, founder of Marquette University's National Sports Law Institute, demands that the school district board of education thoroughly investigate the allegations and that the state education department sanction the board for “not fulfilling its role in protecting its student-athletes.”

The school district responded by releasing a statement:

“The Saratoga Springs City School District cares about each and every student. We take any matters of alleged abuse or bullying very seriously.

“The district was notified of a letter sent to New York State officials that contains allegations concerning some of the district’s athletic programs late on October 4. The letter was not sent to the district directly. While the allegations in the letter are very concerning, any allegations that the district ignored or did not address the complaints referenced in this letter are completely false. We are not able to comment on any individual personnel or student matters included in the letter.”

A 1995 graduate, unnamed, wrote that she hopes this latest complaint brings about change. 

"I still feel for the kids that have faced the mental, physical, and emotional trauma of the Kranicks," the woman wrote. "There is so much blame to go around, but I will say it again, the School’s Administration and Board of Education were and still are to blame. My hope is that my words and voice is heard and help those student/athletes still being affected today."