The Muhlenberg cross country and track and field programs have added 21 total newcomers to their rosters for the 2026-27 campaign, head coachÂ
Amy Filanowski announced this summer.
"We're excited about what this class brings to our program," Filanowski said of the group. Â "They add depth and talent to every event area, and we think they'll make an immediate impact while helping continue the momentum we've built over the last few years."
Of the 21, 12 will compete on the men's side. Of those 12, six have joined the men's cross country team, 11Â have experience on the track, and one looks to make their mark in field events. Of the nine on the women's side, three have joined the cross country team. Seven of those nine are experienced in track events, and five will take their talents to the field (a few will participate in both).
The class features three who are playing another (non-cross country) sport during the fall: Jahmir Brown (football), Xavier Howard (football), and Sarah Sabo (field hockey).
To give each newcomer their own shine, we've divided the cross country and track and field newcomer stories into two parts. Part one can be found here.
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MEET THE CLASSÂ Â
Jahmir Brown (via Jahmir Brown)
JAHMIR BROWN
Sprints | Men's Track and Field
Upper Darby, Pa./Episcopal
Academic Interest: Business
About Brown:Â Some may know the name already, as Brown has contributed on defense and special teams for the Muhlenberg football team across the first few games of the season. On the track, he competed in just about every race and relay possible at Episcopal Academy. His personal bests include an 11.01 in the 100m, a 22.05 in the 200m, and a 48.79 in the 400m. Brown was also named First Team All-Inter-Ac in both track and football.
Why Muhlenberg?:Â "I chose Muhlenberg because it will give me the opportunity to compete at a high level both in football and track, while still providing me with top ranked education as a business major, all at an affordable price for me and my family, with an inviting school community."
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Joshua Cazares (via Joshua Cazares)
JOSHUA CAZARES
Middle Distance | Men's Cross Country, Track and Field
Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty
Academic Interests: Finance, Film StudiesAbout Cazares: Cazares, from nearby Bethlehem, was captain of the cross country team at Liberty High School and a three-year letter winner as well. He holds personal bests of 2:01 in the 800 and 4:32 in the mile. Cazares' future plans include writing and directing his own films.
Why Muhlenberg?:Â "I was able to pursue classes and a major in the field I want to work in, as well as participate in a sport."
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Em Marie Clewell (via Em Marie Clewell)
EM MARIE CLEWELL
Distance | Women's Cross Country, Track and Field
Breinigsville, Pa./Parkland
Academic Interest: Biology
About Clewell:Â Another local product, Clewell spent a lone year on the varsity cross country and track and field teams at Parkland High School. They competed in the longer track events, specifically the 1600 and the 3200. Clewell's future plans include obtaining a biology degree.
Why Muhlenberg?:Â "I loved the campus and felt like I could really grow there."
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Jack Coppa (via Jack Coppa)
JACK COPPA
Middle Distance | Men's Cross Country, Track and Field
Riverdale, N.J./DePaul Catholic
Academic Interests: International Studies/Psychology, Acting/Theatre
About Coppa:Â Coppa was team captain of the track and field and cross country teams during his time at DePaul Catholic. He earned a second-team all-county nod while competing in the distance events in track. Coppa also played soccer for three years and nabbed one varsity letter. His future plans include working for the FBI or becoming an actor.
Why Muhlenberg?:Â "I chose Muhlenberg because of the promising track runners and coaches they have. I also chose Muhlenberg because of the incredible majors they have for me to thrive in and become an excellent achiever."
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Josh Guth (via Josh Guth)
JOSH GUTH
Middle Distance | Men's Track and Field
Allentown, Pa./Emmaus
Academic Interest: Psychology
About Guth: Another newcomer who could commute to school, Guth enters the 2026-27 school year as an academic sophomore. He earned a pair of letters while participating in cross country and track and field at Emmaus High School. Guth's personal bests include an 18:26 in the 5k and a 5:06 in the 1600m. His future plans include going into law enforcement and becoming a detective.
Why Muhlenberg?:Â "[Muhlenberg's] financial options were the best."
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Xavier Howard (via Xavier Howard)
XAVIER HOWARD
Sprints | Men's Track and Field
Westminster, Md./Westminster
Academic Interest: Business
About Howard:Â Like Brown, Howard has joined the Muhlenberg football team for the fall before joining the track and field team later in the year. Â In high school, he earned one varsity letter apiece in football and track and field and was a first-team all-county wide receiver. On the track, he participated in the 100m, 200m, and the 400m; Howard's best times were 11.49, 23.13, and 52.94, respectively.
Why Muhlenberg?:Â "The football and business programs were good fits."
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Tristan Quach (via Tristan Quach)
TRISTAN QUACH
Pole Vault | Men's Track and Field
Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall
Academic Interest: Biology
About Quach:Â Another local product, Quach is the lone newcomer slated to join the ranks of the pole vaulters when the track and field season comes around. He captained the track and field team at Whitehall High School, and his personal best in the pole vault is 10-feet-3-inches. His future plans involve dentistry.
Why Muhlenberg?:Â "Muhlenberg is not only very local, but located in Allentown, which I have lived near and been familiar with, all my life. Muhlenberg also has many different opportunities, especially for a smaller, more personal college."
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Gwynn Rowe (via Gwynn Rowe)
GWYNN ROWE
Throws | Women's Track and Field
Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area
Academic Interests: Psychology and Education
About Rowe: Rowe is also unique in that she is the lone thrower on the women's side in the class. Â She was a four-time letter winner and a two-time team captain of the track and field teams at Lewisburg Area High School. Rowe finished in the top 10 at districts in each of the last three years in the discus, and also once nabbed a third-place finish in the shot put at districts. Her personal bests include a 110'-6" throw in the discus and a toss of 37'-6" in the shot put. She was captain of the tennis and bowling teams in high school as well.
Why Muhlenberg?:Â "I chose Muhlenberg because I loved the campus and the tight-knit community."
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Sarah Sabo (via Sarah Sabo)
SARAH SABO
Sprints | Women's Track and Field
Palmerton, Pa./Palmerton
Academic Interest: Undecided
About Sabo:Â Sabo set records in both field hockey and on the track at Palmerton Area High School, captaining both teams and earning seven total varsity letters. She was a member of the school's record-holding 4x100 relay team (48.20) and was named to MileSplit's All-State First Team in 2025. Her best times on the track include a 12.70 in the 100m and a 27.32 in the 200m. Lastly, Sabo was named to the Morning Call and Lehigh Valley Live All-Area Track & Field teams in 2023, 2024, and 2025. She's spent her fall as a member of the Muhlenberg field hockey team.
Why Muhlenberg?:Â "I chose Muhlenberg because it is a smaller school that will allow me to explore all of my interests, as well as play two sports."
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Ava Trappanese (via Ava Trappanese)
AVA TRAPPANESE
Women's Cross Country
Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township
Academic Interest: Biology
About Trappanese: Trappanese only started running as a junior, but she improved greatly from then into her senior season. She finished her time at Burlington Township High School with personal bests of 22:31 in the 5k and 15:31 in the 3200m. Her future plans include traveling the world and becoming an orthodontist.
Why Muhlenberg?:Â "I chose Muhlenberg because of the supportive and close-knit community that includes a multitude of opportunities to excel in academics, extracurricular activities, and more. The community encourages me to push myself to try my best and become the best version of myself."
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