Gina Procaccio has led the Villanova University women’s team since 2000, including to two NCAA cross-country championships in 2009 and 2010, writes Matt Leon for KYW Podcasts.

Procaccio has quite a history herself as a cross-country runner. She qualified for the finals in the 5,000-meter race of the 1985 World Track and Field Championships, one of several international meets where she raced, including in Norway and Monaco.

In 1987, she became an All-American and set world records, including for the 4×800 meter relay. 

Procaccio started her college running career at the University of Florida but by her junior year, she was running slower than she had in high school.

“It just kind of wasn’t working there, and I felt like I still had it in me to be good,” she said.

That’s when she decided to run for Villanova University in her final season, winning an NCAA Championship.

“Marty Stern took over Villanova and I kind of knew him from high school, and I saw him at the Penn Relays and they were signing some a couple of really good girls … and I just said, ‘Do you want one more?’”

Read more about Gina Procaccio and her success in cross country at KWY Podcasts.

Gina Procaccio talks about her team winning the Big East championship.