Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Announces 2013 Recruiting Class
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Feb. 11, 2013
CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia women’s track and field and cross country program announced Monday the program’s 2013 recruiting class. Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Bryan Fetzer announced that 11 athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Cavalier program in the fall, as will one athlete who will transfer into the program.
“Our main goal for this year was to establish a presence in our home state,” said Fetzer. “That might seem to be common sense to most, but outstanding track/cross country athletes from the Commonwealth plaster rosters across the country. We feel that Virginia is one of the most talent rich states in the country and if we are going to reach the goals we have set for the program, we have to keep those student-athletes that are the academic and athletic fit from leaving Virginia and staying home at to attend UVa.”
The 2013 incoming class consists of sprinters Micah Brickhill (Burckingham, Va.), Ana Holland (Aurora, Colo.) and Andrea Wright (Chesapeake, Va.); distance runners Kara Dickerson (Midlothian. Va.), Sarah Fakler (Phoenix, Ariz.), Maria Hauger (Shakopee, Minn.), Shannon Malone (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Rebecca Salter (Wilmington, Del.) and Sara Sargent (Philadelphia, Pa.); hurdler Heather Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) and multis/throws athlete Christine Bohan (Avon Lake, Ohio). This group includes two All-Americans, two Gatorade State Athletes of the Year and won a combined 21 state championships in high school. This incoming group will be joined by distance runner Cleo Boyd (Kingston, Ont.), who is transferring to Virginia after competing last fall at Stony Brook.
“We put a lot of emphasis this year in improving two specific event groups, the distance and sprints,” said Fetzer. “One thing you will notice about the recruits is they come from high school or club programs that expect success and win championships. I truly believe that it is important to recruit individuals that know how to win as a team as much as they do individually. The adage `success is contagious’ is very true and this group can relate to it.”
The distance group is highly regarded and consists of two State Athletes of the Year, two Foot Locker finalists and a World Junior competitor.
“If it is not the top women’s distance class in the country I know it has to be in the discussion,” said Fetzer. “We are committed to be one of the top cross country and distance programs in the NCAA. I know I have one of the best women’s distance coaches (Todd Morgan) in our sport.”
VIRGINIA WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY 2013 INCOMING CLASS
Christine Bohan
Multi’s/Throws
Avon Lake, Ohio (Avon Lake High School)
• Prep Bests: Discus – 120′ 6″ Shot put – 41′ 9″ Pole Vault – 11′ 9″ High Jump – 5’6. 25″
• 2011 AAU Indoor National Champion Shot put
• School Record Holder both Shot Put, High Jump and Pole Vault
• Chose Virginia over Minnesota, Iowa and Cleveland State (volleyball)
Fetzer on Bohan: “What an overall athlete! Most schools recruited her for the multi’s but she is going to just throw for us. She is along the lines of a European style thrower that Coach Maric is accustomed to. Very athletic and fast. To be able to high jump and pole vault as successful as she has, I am confident she will develop into an great thrower.”
Micah Brickhill
Sprints
Buckingham, Va. (Liberty Christian Academy)
• Prep Bests: 1000m 3:00.87; 500m 1:17.88
• Four-time Virginia Independent Schools State Champion
• Currently ranks #11 Indoors Nationally in the 500m and #13 in the 1000m
Fetzer on Brickhill: “I knew she was one I wanted when she did her unofficial in the spring. Micah is what some would call a `sleeper’ since she is from an small private school. She is going to surprise a lot of people.”
Kara Dickerson
Distance
Midlothian, Va. (Midlothian High School)
• Prep Bests: 5000m – 17:36; 3200m – 10:53
• High School Cross Country All-American
• 2012 Nike Cross Country National Qualifier finishing 24th overall nationally
• 2012 Virginia Cross Country State Championships 4th overall
• Chose Virginia over North Carolina, Wake Forest and William & Mary
Fetzer on Dickerson: “We felt she was the best senior distance runner in Virginia. She just came on the national scene this year, but If you watched her as a junior you knew she had what it takes to make the jump to the next level. She comes from a great high school program that wins.”
Dickerson on Virginia: “I love the overall feel of the campus and the attitude of the students there. The current runners are very welcoming and supportive, which makes me feel at home. The coaching staff is unbelievable encouraging and dedicated and I am very excited to get to work with Coach Morgan next year. I believe that he will help me, and the team, accomplish great things. I am very excited to be a part of such a big, strong freshman class.”
Sarah Fakler
Distance
Phoenix, Ariz. (Xavier Prep)
• Prep Bests: 3200m – 10:33.45; 3000m – 9:58.07; 5000xc – 17:30; 1600m- 4:54.39
• 2010, 2011, 2012 Arizona Gatorade Athlete of the Year
• Six-time Arizona State Champion
• Ranked #11 Nationally in 3000m
• Arizona Republic Cross Country Runner of the Year 2010, 2011, 2012
• Chose Virginia over Duke, Portland and Loyola Marymount
Morgan on Fakler: “Sarah is a tremendous student, and a very focused athlete. She has established herself as one of the better high school distance runners in the country over the past four years, and I feel like she will continue to develop here at Virginia.”
Maria Hauger
Distance
Shakopee, Minn. (Shakopee High School)
• Prep Bests: 5000m – 16:53.07; 1600m – 4:55.88; 3000m – 9:39.60; 4000xc – 13:35.00
• Four-time Minnesota Cross Country State Champion
• Four-time Minnesota Gatorade Cross Country Athlete of the Year
• 3rd 2012 Footlocker National Championship
• State Record Holder 4k Cross Country
• Ranked #4 Nationally in the 5000m
• Chose Virginia over Iowa State, Florida State and Minnesota
Fetzer on Hauger: “One word to describe her is `special’. We feel she is a major difference maker. I love how she runs – tough and determined.”
Hauger on Virginia: “I considered several schools through unofficial visits and made official visits to Florida State, Iowa State, Minnesota and Virginia. I chose UVa because I had a really good connection with Coach Morgan. The University of Virginia is known for its very strong academics. I fell in love with the UVa Grounds and the places they have to run and train. They have a beautiful cross-country course. I believe that the recruiting class that Coach Fetzer and Coach Morgan is bringing in is going to make us a strong distance program, coupled with the girls that are there now. I like the way they treat the athletes and how they want everyone to always strive to become better in everything they do in academics, athletics and life. I’m excited to run in the ACC. I’m really looking forward to what I can do in the longer distances in track and in cross country.”
Ana Holland
Sprints
Aurora, Colo. (Regis Jesuit High School)
• Prep Bests: 400m – 54.68; 200m – 24.20; 100m – 11.77
• Three-time Colorado State Champion
• Chose Virginia over Washington, Kansas and Georgetown
Fetzer on Holland: “Ana was one of the top five sprinters nationally as a sophomore. She had a slight injury that kept her from reaching that level last year as a junior. She has such range and that is one thing that excites me about her.”
Holland on Virginia: “I liked the program because I immediately clicked with Coach Fetzer, who is inspirational and full of compassion for what he does. The team is not only made up of wonderful athletes, but people with integrity and good character as well. The program is on its way to being great and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Shannon Malone
Distance
Pittsburgh, Pa. (North Hills High School)
• Prep Bests: 1600m – 4:56.17; 3200m – 10:53.65
• All State performer in 3200m
• Chose Virginia over Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Penn State
Morgan on Malone: “Shannon has all of the tools and focus to be a great college runner. Once we establish a good routine, I think she has a huge upside here at UVa. We can’t wait to get her on Grounds and join the group.”
Rebecca Salter
Distance
Wilmington, Del. (Tatnall High School)
• Prep Bests: 1600m – 4:58; 3200m – 10:42
• Multiple-time Delaware State Champion
• 10th 2012 High School Indoor Nationals, 2mile
• National Champion 4 x Mile Relay (NBIN)
• Chose Virginia over Syracuse and Villanova
Fetzer on Salter: “She is another one that comes from a high school program with a tradition of winning. She has a contagious attitude.”
Sara Sargent
Distance
Philadelphia, Pa. (Pennsbury High School)
• Prep Bests: 1600m – 4:51.04; 3200m – 10:21.06; 3000m – 9:39.26
• Footlocker National Qualifier
• Pennsylvania Cross Country and Track State Champion
• Ranked #14 Nationally in the 1600m and #15 Nationally in the 2-Mile Indoors
• Chose Virginia over Villanova and Georgetown
Morgan on Sargent: “Sara has won and competed at a very high level for several years. She has the poise to handle the transition into college and help us very quickly. She has a competitive nature you just can’t teach.”
Sargent on Virginia: “I choose UVa because it will allow me to rise to my full potential both academically and athletically. The coaching staff at UVa sees true value in me. I have faith that Coach Morgan and Coach Fetzer will help me achieve running goals beyond my wildest dreams. I also have full confidence that the girls coming in as first years, as well as the upperclassman, will launch this program to the next level. UVa has everything I need and more to be successful in life. I am very excited to be a Wahoo!”
Heather Smith
Hurdles
Chesapeake, Va. (Great Bridge High School)
• Prep Bests: 300H – 42.76; 400H – 1:02.22; 100H – 14.27
• 2012 Virginia AAA Outdoor State Champion in 300m Hurdles
• 3rd in the 100H in 2012 Virginia AAA Outdoor State Championships
• Ranked #12 Nationally in the 400mH
• Chose Virginia over Mississippi State, Purdue and George Mason
Fetzer on Smith: “Heather is very versatile. We expect her to contribute on the relays in addition to the hurdles. I am not sure which hurdle event she will be the most successful, but I know she has the attitude and desire to learn. She could be described as a student of the event.”
Andrea Wright
Sprints
Chesapeake, Va. (Indian River High School)
• Prep Bests: 300m – 39.67; 200m – 24.40
• 2012 USATF Junior Olympic All-American in the 4x400m Relay
• Currently ranked #6 Nationally Indoors in the 300m
• Chose Virginia over Mississippi State, Georgetown, George Mason and Richmond
Fetzer on Wright: “She is young to the sport but has already posted some impressive marks indoors. I expect her to be among the nation’s best in the 200/400m by the end of the season.”
Cleo Boyd
Distance
Kingston, Ont. (Frontenace Secondary School) [Stony Brook University]
• Prep Bests: 3000m – 9:33.48; 5000m – 16:54.87
• Represented Canada at 2012 World Jr. Championships, 3000m (Barcelona, Spain)
• 2012 All-American East Conference in cross-country helping Stony Brook capture the America East Championship
Fetzer on Boyd: “Cleo comes from a running family so she knows what it takes to be elite. She really came on the scene in the summer at World Juniors. We are excited to have her transfer to UVa. I love her attitude and desire to contribute to the team as she continues to develop as an individual.”