Brie Barraco and Lauren Delgado are sure to enjoy the shoutout to former field hockey coach Charlene Morett-Curtiss in the THON line dance. The duo played under her for five years.

The Penn State field hockey goalkeepers Barraco and Delgado are dancing in THON 2024 as an independent dancer couple to fulfill their dreams of being a part of something bigger than themselves. One of their athletics trainers is from a THON family, making the cause hit even closer to home for the pair following in the footsteps of former field hockey dancers.

Barraco couldn’t participate in her first two THONs because of a commitment to the sport’s national team and injuries but watching her teammates during previous Pep Rallies was indescribable.

“I had never experienced anything like THON or that kind of energy,” Barraco said. “The kind of pride I felt in being a part of not only Penn State but something bigger than Penn State was a feeling I can’t even describe. It can only be matched by going back to THON.”

For Delgado, her THON experience started in high school. One of her best friends confided in her that she was a THON child, marking Delgado’s first time learning of the event.

She continued to become a part of mini-THON at her school before experiencing it at Penn State, knowing the second she saw it in person that she wanted to dance. She reached out to Barraco over the summer about entering the IDC lottery, and the field hockey community helped the pair reach its goal. They raised $5,000 in two weeks during their final push before the lottery.

“Just feeling that field hockey passion first of all but just knowing that THON is such a big deal for so many people,” Barraco said. “Even if they’re years out of Penn State, they still want to be a part of it and support the kids and the families, which is really awesome and an insane thing to see.”

Not only does being a part of the field hockey team give them a family to help support their goals, but it also provides Barraco and Delgado with a unique perspective of THON. They will perform on stage for the Pep Rally to bring entertainment to the students while also bringing one-on-one entertainment to the Four Diamonds families at Athlete Hour.

“We’re able to have personal connections with the kids and be able to see them smile and have such a great time,” Delgado said. “Everyone’s like, ‘Oh you’re touching them.’ No, they’re touching our lives too… It’s memories that they are creating for me, and I just love doing it every year.”

While both said they’re excited to see the Pep Rally on the floor this year after all the energy and passion the student body brings to it, they’re excited and hoping to create new connections over the 46 hours.

“I’m excited for the connections that we’re going to gain with the families, deeper connections because we only have a limited amount of time with the families during Athlete Hour,” Barraco said. “But also the other people involved in THON. I’m really excited to meet new people throughout THON whether it be kids, families, fellow students, or alumni. I’m just really excited for connections being made.”

Barraco compared it to “almost like a new team that you’re creating that night,” surrounded by people going through the same challenges and there for the same reasons. The team mentality they pull from field hockey will be the difference for them.

“We always say when we’re doing runs and lifts, what gets you through it is that the people to your left and right are doing the same thing,” Barraco said.

Keeping the group mentality and never getting into their heads is the key to success in tough environments, they shared. With the family they’ve made in field hockey, both feel they create family-like bonds more quickly, relating to people on deeper levels knowing they’re connected by the same actions and cause.

If they’re tired, all Barraco and Delgado will need to do is look around the Bryce Jordan Center and see everyone together for the kids and call on their teammates for strength.