Athletic News

07/16/2010 -
Trojans Sign 14 Recruits To Women's Cross Country/Track And Field

Mount Olive College has signed 14 recruits to the women’s cross country and track and field teams, it was announced by Trojan head coach Matt van Lierop. Ten of the 14 signees will compete in both sports, while four will compete only in track and field. All will enroll at Mount Olive in the fall.

Terri Bluebird, Alaytra Carswell, Christina Jordan, Chelsea Long, Jenessa Martinez, Chelyn McCain, Jessica McKinnis, Clarissa Petro, Courtney Siefert and Amber Thompson will compete in both cross country and track and field. Cierra Butler, Kierra Butler, Yushondria Jackson and Jasmine Taylor will compete in track and field only.

The cross country season takes place in the fall, while track and field is a spring sport.

Bluebird is from Sanford, N.C., and a graduate of Overhills High School. Her personal best is 19:14 in the 5k. The 5k (5,000 meters) is the official distance for high school and women’s college cross country meets.

Cierra Butler and Kierra Butler are both from Fredericksburg, Va., and graduates of Stafford High School. Cierra’s personal bests are 12.80 seconds in the 100 meters, 26.30 seconds in the 200 meters and 59.40 seconds in the 400 meters. Kierra’s personal bests are 15.56 seconds in the 100 meter hurdles, 45.84 seconds in the 300 meter hurdles, 16-5 (16 feet, 5 inches) in the long jump and 33-11 in the triple jump.

Carswell is from Waynesboro, Ga., and a graduate of Burke County High School. Her personal bests are 12.49 seconds in the 100 meters, 25.53 seconds in the 200 meters and 61.60 seconds in the 400 meters.

Jackson is from West Palm Beach, Fla., and a graduate of Palm Beach Central High School. Her personal bests are 12.70 seconds in the 100 meters, 16.20 seconds in the 100 meter hurdles, 16-10 in the long jump and 35-10 in the triple jump.

Jordan is from Starke, Fla., and a graduate of Bradford High School. Her personal bests are 21:17 in the 5k, 12.70 seconds in the 100 meters, 62.09 seconds in the 400 meters, 2:41 in the 800 meters and 6:04 in the 1600 meters.

Long is from Eugene, Ore., and a graduate of Harrisburg High School. Her personal bests are 20:24 in the 5k, 5:01 in the 1500 meters and 11:07 in the 3000 meters.

Martinez is from Toms River, N.J., and a graduate of Toms River High School. Her personal bests are 23:34 in the 5k, 64.45 seconds in the 400 meters and 2:28 in the 800 meters.

McCain is from Silt, Colo., and a graduate of Coal Ridge High School. Her personal bests are 20:41 in the 5k, 15.40 seconds in the 100 meter hurdles, 46.09 in the 300 meter hurdles, 59.40 seconds in the 400 meters and 5:24 in the 1600 meters.

McKinnis is from Palmetto, Fla., and a graduate of Palmetto High School. Her personal bests are 19.34 seconds in the 5k, 5:23 in the 1600 meters and 11:45 in the 3200 meters.

Petro is from Catawissa, Pa., and a graduate of Southern Columbia High School. Her personal bests are 21:32 in the 5k, 2:33 in the 800 meters and 12:21 in the 3200 meters.

Siefert is from Erlanger, Ky., and a graduate of Lloyd Memorial High School. Her personal bests are 19:08 in the 5k, 2:25 in the 800 meters, 5:22 in the 1600 meters and 11:48 in the 3200 meters.

Taylor is from Kinston, N.C., and a graduate of Kinston High School. Her personal bests are 15.09 seconds in the 100 meter hurdles, 25.80 seconds in the 200 meters, 45.40 seconds in the 300 meter hurdles and 62.00 seconds in the 400 meters

Thompson is from Radford, Va., and a graduate of Radford High School. Her personal bests are 20:44 in the 5k, 2:36 in the 800 meters and 5:38 in the 1600 meters.

“I’m very excited about the group we’re bringing in,” said van Lierop, who is in his second year as head cross country coach and third year as head track and field coach. “I feel like we have a talented and well-rounded group coming in this year. Combined with strong returning rosters, I think we’ll have some good team and individual results in both cross country and track and field.”

Mount Olive finished 10th at last year’s Conference Carolinas Women’s Cross Country Championship and fifth at the 2010 Conference Carolinas Women’s Track and Field Championship. The Trojans were ranked as high as No. 10 in the Division II Southeast Region Women’s Track and Field Poll during 2010.

Mount Olive opens its 2010 cross country season September 3 as the Trojans play host to a dual meet. The Trojans will also play host to the Mount Olive College Invitational October 22. The 2010 Conference Carolinas Cross Country Championship is scheduled for November 5 at Charlotte, N.C. Mount Olive’s 2011 track and field schedule has not yet been announced.

To Be Resumed In Fall 2010

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