On Friday, May 8, 2026, eight North Penn seniors were recognized for committing to compete in track & field at the collegiate level. (Photos provided courtesy of NPHS)
Morgan Brown – United States Naval Academy (Track & Field)
Major: Biochemistry
Final list of colleges: US Naval Academy, West Point, Bucknell, Lafayette, Lehigh, Davidson
Reasons for choosing the Naval Academy: “The reason I chose this school is because I believe it will prepare me to become a better version of myself as well as I’ll get the opportunity to serve my country. When I was on a visit there, I also had a very strong connection with the coaches and the team, and it was just a great environment that I could see myself competing at the next level.”
North Penn track coach Jay Jones: “Morgan is a hurdler and jumper, and he can do just about anything out on the track. He’s headed to Navy. He’s an outstanding young man who was a pleasure to coach.”
Michael Burcik – Pennsylvania College of Technology (Cross Country)
Major: Heavy Equipment Operator
Final list of colleges: Penn Tech, Thaddeus Stevenson College of Technology
Reasons for choosing Penn Tech: “I ultimately chose it because they have a lot of unique majors compared to other schools, and I really loved the campus.”
North Penn track coach Jay Jones: “Michael is another outstanding young man, one of the best young man I’ve been around in 29 years. His parents did an outstanding job with him.”
North Penn cross country coach Mike Werner: “Jake Killen and Michael Burcik have been teammates and training partners through their years on North Penn cross country, creating one of the highlights for me as a coach – watching those two compete together at Salesianum during their junior year. They have been great teammates, great leaders, great mentors on NPXC and were part of our state championship team this year. We wish them the very best with Jake going to Gwynedd Mercy and Michael going to Pennsylvania College of Technology.”
Jake Killen – Gwynedd Mercy University (Cross Country/Track & Field)
Major: Criminal Justice
Final list of colleges: Gwynedd Mercy, West Chester Delaware
Reasons for choosing Gwynedd Mercy: “I chose the school because I really liked the coach and the way he made me feel at home and that I was valued on the team. I liked the vibe of the small campus and the small amount of people, and it’s close to my home, so I liked that.”
North Penn track coach Jay Jones: “Jake Killen is another hardworking young man who has worked his way up to just being off a district qualifying standard. He’s a hard worker who has been out for four years. I’m very impressed by the young man.”
North Penn cross country coach Mike Werner: “Jake Killen and Michael Burcik have been teammates and training partners through their years on North Penn cross country, creating one of the highlights for me as a coach – watching those two compete together at Salesianum during their junior year. They have been great teammates, great leaders, great mentors on NPXC and were part of our state championship team this year. We wish them the very best with Jake going to Gwynedd Mercy and Michael going to Pennsylvania College of Technology.”
Aidan Lewis – Salisbury University (Track & Field)
Final list of colleges: Salisbury, Marist, Ursinus, East Stroudsburg
Reasons for choosing Salisbury: “The reason I chose Salisbury was because I felt like the coach really cared about me, and he’d set me up for success not just on the track but also outside of track. They have a great program for my major, which is going to be secondary education. Also, the campus had a great vibe.”
North Penn track coach Jay Jones: “Aidan was our pole vaulter. He’s an outstanding leader, always kepr it light. Unfortunately, he had an injury, but he’s an outstanding young man as all of our athletes are. We expect big things from him at the next level.”
Shane Myers – Longwood University (Cross Country/Track & Field)
Major: Business Administration
Final list of colleges: Longwood, West Chester, East Stroudsburg, Alvernia
Reasons for choosing Longwood: “I chose Longwood because their business administration program is really good, and they have a really good business program.”
North Penn track coach Jay Jones: “Shane was a distance runner. He has come a very long way – he’s one of the hardest working young men we have on the team. He’s headed to Longwood, and he’ll do great things there.”
North Penn cross country coach Mike Werner: “Shane is a four-year runner for North Penn cross country and track. He was a captain this past year of the 2025 boys’ cross country state champion Knights and was instrumental in us achieving that state championship. He’s been a tremendous leader for us and was a consistent varsity runner – enthusiastic, great teammate. He’s a huge reason we won the state title this year. In his four years as a member of the program, we have two district titles as a team, one state title and three league titles. Congratulations to Shane as he moves on to Longwood University.”
Gavin Rice – Gwynedd Mercy University (Track & Field)
Major: Nursing
Final list of colleges: Gwynedd Mercy, Thomas Jefferson, Drexel
Reasons for choosing Gwynedd Mercy: “I chose Gwynedd Mercy because the coaches and athletes were really welcoming.”
North Penn track coach Jay Jones: “Gavin is an outstanding young man and a true gentleman. He was willing to compete and try so many different events for us over the years. His unselfishness and leadership will be missed.”
Isaiah Washington – West Chester University (Cross Country/Track & Field)
Major: Accounting
Reasons for choosing West Chester: “I chose West Chester because I felt more welcome, and also there are players from my team here that are playing there.”
North Penn track coach Jay Jones: “Isaiah has been on our 4x800 relay. He’s just a grinder, a hard worker. He’s a self-made man who’s worked his way to become one of the better middle distance runners in District 1.”
North Penn cross country coach Mike Werner: “Isaiah is a two-year runner for us and has also been instrumental in us being successful this year as a varsity member of our team as state champions this year. He was a great member of the team – hard worker, great teammate. He will be moving on to West Chester University, and I wish him the very best.”
Andrew Watkins – Susquehanna University (Cross Country, Track & Field)
Major: Environmental Science
Final list of colleges: Susquehanna, Muhlenberg, Delaware, Scranton
Reasons for choosing Susquehanna: “I chose Susquehanna University because they have a really good science program, and their campus is really pretty.”
North Penn track coach Jay Jones: “Andrew is a distance runner, and he’s another fine human being. He’s improved a ton.”
North Penn cross country coach Mike Werner: “Andrew was a four-year runner for us. He was a hard worker on our team. He battled through adversity, and he was a great teammate. We wish him the best at Susquehanna University.”
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