Homewood High School senior Emma Brooke Levering’s life-long dream of running Division 1 track and cross country became a reality on October 28th when she announced her commitment to Penn State University’s track and cross country team.
The Nittany Lions were ranked 20 in Division 1 track and field/cross country a year ago and were third in the Big Ten.
Levering started running in 7th grade, but playing soccer was her first priority at the time. She says she originally ran because it helped her with her soccer speed and that cross country and track made her stay in shape for soccer. But over time, she found running really fun and made the decision to quit soccer around 8th grade and focus entirely on running.
“I ran with my dad because he runs every day,” Levering said. “We would do local 5K’s and over time, I just fell in love with it.”
Levering had other offers from Texas, Furman, Ole Miss and Syracuse. But what compelled her to State College, Pennsylvania was the small town feel of the University and the fact that Penn State has a great biomedical engineering program, which Levering wants to have a career in after college.
“When they called me and said they wanted me, I thought it felt the most right out of all the other colleges that were recruiting me,” Levering said. “I took a few days and then I called them back and said that I wanted to attend.”
Levering’s running ability is evident to all, including Homewood cross country coach Kelly McNair.
“She’s definitely an elite runner,” McNair said. “It’s very rare that we have an athlete like Emma Brooke come through this program.”
McNair is very confident that Levering will excel at the next level. She believes if Levering stays healthy that she will fit in in no time.
“It’s not gonna be easy,” McNair said. “But she has the drive and desire to continue to improve.”
McNair praised Levering’s leadership and the impact an athlete of her level has on other runners in the program.
“Having her here, it gives other runners an amazing mentor,” McNair said. “It gives other runners, especially younger ones, a reason and desire to get better.”
Homewood track and field coach Logan Cornutt is beyond proud of Levering’s accomplishment. Cornutt says that Levering has always been a hard worker for the Patriots and that she always strives to be her personal best, in the classroom and while running.
Levering is an academic weapon. Along with her athletic awards, like Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year last year and being a 15 time all state athlete, she has received multiple awards which includes being a National Merit Semifinalist, an AP Scholar with distinction, and Mu Alpha Theta, which is a math honors society award.
“Her commitment to such a prestigious program is the result of years of training and holding herself to a higher standard,” Cornutt said. “We are all so incredibly happy for her and can’t wait to see what her future holds with the Nittany Lions.”
Levering hopes to continue running after college. She plans to do pre-marathons and marathons and that if pro running becomes an option that she would go after it, despite the inherent challenge.
While her high school Cross Country career is coming to a close, Levering still has her senior season for Homewood track this winter/spring, where she will be looking to make an even bigger impact on the program before her college journey.
