For Penn State Harrisburg, the 2024 athletic campaign was one for the books, full of firsts, lasts and everything in between. Championships were won, accolades were earned and countless memories were made during the most-recent calendar year. Before we turn our attention to a promising new year, it’s only right to celebrate the absolute best Penn State Harrisburg Athletics had to offer over the last 366 days (that’s right, leap year).

JANUARY

Headline: Butler's Coronation at the NCAA Woman of the Year Award Ceremony

In a year full of national recognition for Penn State Harrisburg players and programs, former women’s basketball standout Kendis Butler kicked off 2024 with the most historic of the bunch. On Jan. 11, Butler was honored alongside 29 other finalists for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year Award, rightfully taking her place on stage alongside WNBA players, Olympians and national champions during a celebratory ceremony at the annual NCAA Convention in Phoenix, Ariz. In addition to her success on the hardwood, the program's all-time leading scorer was commended for her high achievement in the classroom and service to Penn State Harrisburg and its surrounding communities. Already boasting a loaded resume with plaudits that included being named a Jostens Trophy Finalist for National Player of the Year, the United East Female Athlete of the Year and a multiple-time CSC Creative & Digital Design Contest winner, Butler’s NCAA recognition fittingly capped her illustrious career, cementing her status in a tier reserved solely for the school’s most significant difference makers and making known to the rest of the country the immensity of her impact on and off the court.

The Timeline

Jan. 6 - Donyae Baylor-Carroll becomes men's basketball's all-time leading scorer

Jan. 11 - Former women's basketball standout Kendis Butler is honored at the NCAA Woman of the Year Award Ceremony in Phoenix, Ariz.

Jan. 11 - Former men's golf standout Josh Africa speaks at the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Panel at the NCAA Convention in Phoenix, Ariz.

Jan. 24 - Nate Curry becomes men's basketball's all-time leading rebounder

Jan. 24 - Jayla Galbreath becomes just the fourth women's basketball player to score 1,000 career points

Jan. 27 - Leah Gray breaks the women's indoor track & field 60m dash record

Jan. 27 - Steph Reider sets the women's indoor track & field weight throw record

FEBRUARY

Headline: Men's and Women's Basketball Sweep the United East

In 2023, a depleted Penn State Harrisburg men’s basketball team that dealt with freak injuries, illness and growing pains fell one game shy of reaching the conference championship game for the third straight year. In 2024, the Lions were out for revenge. En route to a record-breaking season that included a program-best 25 wins, Penn State Harrisburg returned to the mountain top behind outstanding final seasons from Donyae Baylor-Carroll and Nate Curry. Baylor-Carroll opened postseason play with a season-high 42 points in a thrilling win over Penn College before the Lions handled St. Mary’s (Md.) in convincing fashion to secure the divisional crown. By the time Penn State Harrisburg hosted St. Elizabeth in the conference title game, the party was on. The Lions rolled to an 84-61 win in the championship game and cut the nets down for the third time in four seasons, foreshadowing another memorable March for the wily NCAA Tournament veterans. The women had come oh-so-close in 2023, falling just short in the conference title game to a Morrisville program that eventually moved on from the United East following a second straight championship victory. The door was ajar and the Lions kicked it down. After a slow start, Penn State Harrisburg hit its stride come conference play, faltering just once against United East competition before avenging that lone loss by rolling St. Mary’s (Md.) in the first game of the postseason. The Lions then ran away from Penn State Abington to clinch the Volt Division before holding off St. Elizabeth in the championship game to secure their first conference title and earn a berth in the big dance for the first time in program history. Hardwood warriors united, in 2024, the east was won.

The Timeline

Feb. 19 - Donyae Baylor-Carroll scores 42 points in a playoff victory over Penn College

Feb. 21 - Men's basketball captures the United East Volt Division Championship

Feb. 21 - Women's basketball secures the United East Volt Division Championship

Feb. 24 - Men's basketball wins its third United East Championship in four seasons

Feb. 24 - Women's basketball wins its first conference championship in program history

Feb. 24 - Giahny Correa sets women's basketball's single-season scoring mark

Feb. 26 - Leah Gray (60m) and Steph Reider (WT) win United East Indoor Track & Field Conference Championships

MARCH

Headline: Men's Basketball Does It Again

When March rolls around, Penn State Harrisburg’s men’s basketball team provides the madness. After advancing to the big dance in both 2020 and 2022, the Lions knocked off top-10 opponents in first-round action both times. Come 2024, things were different, but only slightly. Rather than facing a top-10 program in round one, Penn State Harrisburg was rewarded for its recent NCAA success by being paired against a Hood squad merely receiving votes in the national rankings (did you note the sarcasm?). The result remained the same, however, as the Lions battled back from a nine-point deficit with six and a half minutes remaining to win another instant classic on the biggest stage. Donyae Baylor-Carroll connected on a deep game-tying 3-ball with 2:52 remaining before burying the go-ahead step-back jumper with 36 seconds left. Isaiah Milien came up with a massive offensive rebound while being dragged to the ground in the final minute and Nate Curry was as cool as the other side of the pillow in crunch time, going 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 15 seconds to put the game on ice and secure Penn State Harrisburg’s third NCAA Tournament victory in the last four seasons.

The Timeline

March 1 - Men's basketball defeats Hood in the NCAA Tournament's First Round to set the single-season program record for wins

March 1 - Women's basketball makes its first NCAA Tournament appearance

March 13 - Donyae Baylor-Carroll named NABC All-America

March 16 - Donyae Baylor-Carroll named D3hoops.com All-America on the same day he takes part in the NABC – Reese’s Division III All-Star Game

March 19 - Men's basketball receives votes in the season's final national rankings

March 30 - Baseball ends the month on a 12-game win streak that includes four victories over nationally-ranked opponents

March 30 - Maddy Lehigh sets softball's career runs record

APRIL

Headline: Lehigh’s Record-Breaking Run

After a solid start to the season and a hot streak that began smoldering midway through March, softball standout Maddy Lehigh went absolutely nuclear come April. The shortstop racked up 40 of her 68 total hits during a four-week stretch that also saw her score 25 runs and drive in 14 more. En route to clinching a pair of NCAA Statistical Championships in triples and triples per game, Lehigh tallied nine three-baggers in April with an extraordinary three multi-triple games in the span of just four days. On April 16, she set the program’s career triples record before becoming the program’s all-time hits leader two days later. She finished the spring slashing a stellar .472/.534/.792 with an outstanding 1.326 OPS. Lehigh’s blistering month of April locked up her United East Volt Division Player of the Year accolade, propelled her to NFCA All-Region recognition for the second consecutive season and set the table for Penn State Harrisburg to clinch a United East Volt Division Regular Season Championship. 

The Timeline

April 6 - Leah Gray named the United East Women’s Indoor Track Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year

April 16 - Maddy Lehigh sets softball's career triples record

April 17 - Women's tennis sets the single-season program record for wins

April 20 - Maddy Lehigh breaks softball's career hits record

April 27 - Baseball ends the month on another 12-game win streak

April 27 - Women's tennis wins the United East Volt Division Championship

April 28 - Gavin Fegley earns United East Rookie of the Year honors after finishing as the individual runner-up at the conference's men's golf championships

April 28 - Softball wins the United East Volt Division Regular Season Championship

MAY

Headline: Baseball Hosts Second Straight NCAA Regional

Once is an aberration, twice is a coincidence, right? Don’t bet on it. Because the 2024 campaign was simply confirmation that Penn State Harrisburg has become one of the top baseball programs in all of Division III. An at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2019 was followed by three straight conference titles and three more automatic berths in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The 2023 bid included regional round host responsibilities reserved for those teams in the midst of a truly special season. When the program’s name was again called for regional hosting duties last May, it was apparent that special seasons at Penn State Harrisburg have become the norm. Having guests at your place can be stressful, but boy was it worth it. The Harrisburg Regional included tightly-contested matchups, one-run games and come-from-behind victories (along with a little wet weather, of course). None were more memorable than the opener, however, which saw Brendan Henn’s two-out, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth lift Penn State Harrisburg to a thrilling win over Bridgewater State and cement the program’s place among the country’s top tier.

The Timeline

May 3 - Softball sets the single-season program record for wins

May 4 - Carissa Yeager breaks softball's career wins record

May 4 - Men's tennis wins the United East Championship

May 4 - Women's tennis captures the United East Championship

May 5 - Leah Gray sets women's outdoor track & field's 200m dash record

May 5 - Paul Netland III (110H), Tony Pelino (PV), Makayla Grace Weber (400H) and Isaac Whitson (TJ) win conference titles at the United East Outdoor Track & Field Championships

May 6 - Baseball wins the United East Volt Division Championship

May 9 - Women's tennis is narrowly clipped in NCAA Tournament action

May 10 - Men's tennis competes in the NCAA Tournament

May 17 - Brendan Henn hits a walk-off home run to defeat Bridgewater State in NCAA Regional action

May 29 - Josh Berzonski named D3baseball.com All-America

JUNE

Headline: Lehner Named United East Male Athlete of the Year

In 2021, a freshman outfielder by the name of Kevin Lehner waited patiently as some of the nation's top sluggers the likes of Bret Williams, Chase Smith and Matt Parks blasted long balls and led Penn State Harrisburg to the NCAA Tournament. One year later, he was batting clean up and providing the same power of his predecessors. When it was all said and done, Lehner accumulated multiple all-region and all-conference accolades and etched his name alongside the aforementioned standouts as one of the best to ever do it at Penn State Harrisburg. In addition to striking fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers, Lehner also worked hard in the classroom and volunteered in the local community. For his efforts on and off the field, he was named the United East Male Athlete of the Year, joining all-timers Cameron Yon and Kendis Butler as the only Penn State Harrisburg student-athletes to earn a conference's highest individual honor. From waiting his turn to reaching rarified air, Lehner's career stands as a testament to doing things the right way; dare we say, to “Blue Collar Baseball.”

The Timeline

June 12 - Baseball finishes the season ranked No. 20/21 in national polls

June 12 - Penn State Harrisburg Athletic Communications earns CSC Designer of the Year Award - Best In Division III

June 19 - Kevin Lehner named the United East Baseball Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year

June 19 - Matthew Redman named the United East Men’s Golf Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year

June 27 - Kevin Lehner named the United East Male Athlete of the Year

JULY

Headline: Penn State Harrisburg Officially Adds Field Hockey as 17th Varsity Program

The longest, hottest days of the year usually provide a rare respite from the constant hustle and bustle of the athletic calendar. Fans are more concerned with Fourth of July barbecues and family vacations than box scores and breaking news, and rightfully so. But this summer, the quietest time of the year provided a footnote that would bring plenty of excitement to campus once the fireworks subsided and the dog days took hold. NCAA field hockey had officially arrived at Penn State Harrisburg. How exciting would year one be? Well…

The Timeline

7/1 - Field hockey officially becomes the school’s 17th varsity program

AUGUST

Headline: Field Hockey Bursts Onto the Scene

Oftentimes, brand-new programs competing in their first NCAA contest simply hope to field enough players to keep the outcome respectable. Not Penn State Harrisburg field hockey. Under the leadership of head coach AJ Misselhorn, the Lions started making statements the moment they stepped on the turf at Lycoming for the season opener. Sadie Cook buried the game-winning goal off an assist from Rachel Lane to top Lyco 1-0 and kick off an inaugural campaign that culminated in nine wins, a postseason berth and six all-conference honors for a group that a mere four months earlier hadn’t played a single scrimmage, let alone an NCAA competition, together. From a thrilling win in the team’s home opener against FDU-Florham to a double-overtime comeback victory at King’s (Pa.) to Natalie Rocuskie’s hat trick at Lancaster Bible, the 2024 campaign provided numerous firsts and countless memories. Thanks to the foundation laid by this season’s players and coaches, there’s no doubt the program will continue to reach new heights in the coming years. The historic first season, however, will remain one for the books.

The Timeline

Aug. 31 - Field hockey defeats Lycoming 1-0 in the program's inaugural game

SEPTEMBER

Headline: Men's Soccer Goes Streaking

After scoring three unanswered goals to come from behind and defeat NYU in an instant classic in mid-September, Penn State Harrisburg’s men’s soccer team appeared poised for another big fall. Surprisingly, however, the Lions were shut out by Shenandoah in their next outing, falling to 4-2-1 on the year through the early portion of the slate. The schedule provided no favors from there, as a pair of road games against traditional powerhouses in Messiah and Lycoming loomed in back-to-back contests. How would the Lions respond? With a bang. Or put more aptly, a streak. Penn State Harrisburg went into Messiah and knocked off Division III’s most renowned program 1-0 and followed it up by blanking regionally-ranked Lycoming 2-0. Then came a win at Keystone. Another over Wilson. Then at La Roche. By the time October rolled around, the Lions pushed their season-long win streak to eight games and allowed just one goal during the span. The memorable midseason stretch proved the season’s high-water mark and keyed another successful campaign that only narrowly came to an end in PK’s in postseason semifinal action.

The Timeline

Sept. 3 - Julia Choe sets women's volleyball's career service aces record

Sept. 4 - Field hockey wins its inaugural home game

Sept. 21 - Men's soccer defeats Messiah to begin an eight-game win streak

Sept. 26 - Women's volleyball gets off to the best start in program history by winning its ninth match in the first 12 outings

OCTOBER

Headline: Penn State Harrisburg Inducts Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Class

After nearly three decades of varsity competition in the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s, and with the 20th anniversary of NCAA competition since the return of varsity athletics in 2005 on the horizon, the time was right to officially recognize the absolute best in Penn State Harrisburg Athletics. During its annual “We Are Weekend” in October, the college began doing just that. On Friday night, Oct. 25, Penn State Harrisburg held its inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in front of a packed house at a buzzing Capital Union Building, with men's basketball standout Kenton Alston '12, record-breaking men's soccer player Daniel Francis '11, softball star Kara (Boyd) Schanz '12 and longtime director of athletics Reuben (Bud) Smitley comprising the hall of fame’s first-ever class of inductees.

The Timeline

Oct. 8 - Diana Pon and Peyton Huber each record hat tricks in women's soccer's win over Penn State Brandywine

Oct. 15 - Natalie Rocuskie posts a hat trick in field hockey's victory at Lancaster Bible

Oct. 25 - Penn State Harrisburg hosts its inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony

Oct. 28 - Gavin Fegley wins the individual championship at the Lancaster Bible Invitational

Oct. 31 - Jordan Carpenter named D3hoops.com Preseason All-America

NOVEMBER

Headline: Women's Soccer Goes the Distance to Win United East Championship

In the minutes following Penn State Harrisburg’s scoreless draw with St. Mary’s (Md.) in mid-October, a postseason rematch between the United East’s top two women’s soccer programs seemed inevitable. And so it was that a mere two weeks later, the rivals met on a cold November afternoon in Middletown with a conference championship and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line. As it was in the first meeting, 90 minutes were not enough to decide a champion. Neither were 100 minutes. Nor 110. And so, with the 2024 campaign yielding 200 combined scoreless minutes between the two finalists, it would all come down to penalty kicks. Diana Pon, Grace Roudebush and Brin Moore all converted PK’s but it was rookie reserve goalkeeper Alexis Valenta who proved the difference, entering the contest cold off the bench and turning up the heat, not only in making two clutch stops on Seahawk attempts, but converting her own penalty kick to put the Lions out in front. When Valenta made a diving save to turn away the final SMC attempt, she set off a frenzied celebration that saw elated players and coaches storm the field in unabashed bliss. When team captains Sarah Toche-Manley and Abigail Frew hoisted the conference championship trophy during the postgame festivities, it reaffirmed the obvious - when it comes to women’s soccer in the United East, Penn State Harrisburg is the “best place to play.”

The Timeline

Nov. 9 - Women's soccer wins the United East Championship

Nov. 9 - Four cross country runners in Angel Patino, Destiny Samuels, Zack Gibson and Melina Dhital earn all-conference honors at United East Championships

Nov. 16 - Women's soccer edged in NCAA Tournament action

Nov. 18 - psuharrisburgsports.com, the new online home of Penn State Harrisburg Athletics, launches

DECEMBER

Headline: Carpenter's Big Move

And so, the 2024 athletic campaign is bookended by the lofty achievements of a pair of studs from the women’s basketball program. The year began with Kendis Butler taking center stage at the NCAA Woman of the Year Award Ceremony and ends with newcomer Jordan Carpenter carrying the torch with her stellar play this season. A graduate transfer from Mary Washington, Carpenter arrived in Middletown for her final season a fully-formed all-American, having racked up numerous national accolades thanks to her efforts at UMW the last four years. Through 12 games at Penn State Harrisburg, she’s been exactly as advertised. Carpenter opened December by resetting the program’s single-game scoring record at Gallaudet and followed it up by breaking the single-game field goal percentage mark when she finished 10-of-11 from the floor at Salisbury. A walking double-double (nine this season), she was named the USBWA National Player of the Week on Dec. 17 for her efforts. Already a six-time United East Player of the Week, Carpenter has Penn State Harrisburg poised to make a run at a second straight conference championship in 2025.

The Timeline

Dec. 4 - Jordan Carpenter sets women's basketball's single-game scoring mark

Dec. 14 - Jordan Carpenter breaks women's basketball's single-game field goal percentage record

Dec. 17 - Jordan Carpenter named the USBWA Women's National Player of the Week

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long and into the new year on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.