Men's Track and Field/Cross Country Announces 2013 Recruiting Class

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Feb. 14, 2013

CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia men’s track and field and cross country program announced Thursday the program’s 2013 recruiting class. Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Bryan Fetzer announced that six athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Cavalier program in the fall.

“The men’s class targeted some specific needs and I feel we are on our way to improving the overall team,” said Fetzer. “Our men’s class is not large in size, but it has very high quality with some great young men. We filled some voids we had with some immediate impact individuals.”

The 2013 incoming class consists of sprinter David Bartha (Bonyhad, Hungary), combined event athlete Anthony Dunavant (Franklin, Tenn.), distance runner Thomas Madden (Front Royal, Va.), jumper/hurdler Christian Rogers (Midlothian, Va.), jumper Aaron Worrell (Fort Eustis, Va.) and middle distance runner Henry Wynne (Westport, Conn.).

“I am excited with the effort our staff and team put forth in the recruiting process this year,” said Fetzer. “The team understands that we are only as good as the individuals we have on the team. It was an overall team effort.”

VIRGINIA MEN’S TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY 2013 INCOMING CLASS

David Bartha
Sprints
Bonyhad, Hungary

• Prep Bests: 400m – 47.70; 200m – 21.53
• 2012 Hungarian World Junior Team in both the 400m and 4x400m Relay
• 2012 Hungarian European Championships 4x400m Relay
• 2011 Hungarian World Youth Team in the 200m and Sprint Medley

Fetzer on Bartha: “After watching him compete at World Juniors in Spain, I knew he was one we wanted. He is having a great indoor season and is close to his outdoor PR in just the first two meets so far this season. He will have an immediate impact in the ACC. I also want to have a strong 4×400 relay and he adds to that nicely.”

Bartha on Virginia: “Since I am living in a small country in Europe, when I first saw the University of Virginia and the facilities on the picture, I wondered about how a school can be this amazing. The academics and the campus are also one of the best I’ve ever seen. One more important thing that had an effect on my decision is Coach Fetzer and Coach Maric. I can’t formulate how excited I am to meet everyone and be a part of this team.”

Anthony Dunavant
Combined Events
Franklin, Tenn. (Battle Ground Academy)

• Prep Bests: Decathlon 6416; Event PBs 100-11.24, LJ-21’6.75″, SP-45’1″, HJ-6′.75″, 400-50.76, 110H-15.57, DT-114’9.5″, PV-13’10.5″, JT-141’6″, 1500-4:47.59
• 2012 AAU Club National Champion
• Ranked #2 in the Decathlon
• Chose Virginia over Clemson, Duke and North Carolina

Assistant Coach Mario Wilson on Dunavant: “Anthony comes to UVa from the best decathlon club in the country. He has thrived under Coach Gary Kinder in only a couple seasons of specific training. He has the physique, athleticism and technical knowledge, which is a rare combination for a high school senior. He is a great student as well, which allow him to balance school and 10 individual events. He will make a huge and immediate impact on our team.”

Thomas Madden
Distance/Cross Country
Front Royal, Va. (Skyline High School)

• Prep Bests: 3200m – 8:25.54; 2 mile – 8:59.62
• 2012 Penn Relays High School 3000m Champion
• 2012 VA State 2A 3200m State Champion
• 2011 Footlocker National Cross Country Qualifier
• Chose Virginia over Wisconsin and NC State

Men’s Cross Country Coach Pete Watson on Madden: “Thomas Madden is an exciting addition to the team. Anyone who can win the Penn Relays 3000m as a high school junior is obviously very talented. I see Thomas playing a huge role on this team from the day he steps on grounds.”

Madden on Virginia: “I chose UVa because I felt like it was the best possible place for me to succeed. I admired the dedication of the team and the coaching staff and felt like I would fit in well with them. I agree with the philosophy of the coaches and am excited about the training I’ll be doing next fall. Other major reasons I chose UVa included the facilities and the support staff that will help me with my needs and help me to perform my best. Also, UVa is a great school that will challenge me academically and prepare me to be successful later in life.”

Christian Rogers
Jumps & Hurdles
Midlothian, Va. (Manchester High School)

• Prep Best: Triple Jump – 48’4″
• 2012 Virginia AAA All State Triple Jump (Indoors & Outdoors)
• Ranked #12 Nationally Outdoors in the Triple Jump
• Currently ranked #10 Nationally Indoors in the triple jump
• Chose Virginia over North Carolina and North Carolina A&T

Wilson on Rogers: “Chris is the type of recruit that you feel you must have when you first meet him. He has a very outgoing and infectious personality and will do a great job attracting other outstanding recruits to UVa. He has set big goals, which line up perfectly with where we want him to be. He is also quite versatile and will add immediate value to our team as we pursue an ACC championship.”

Aaron Worrell
Jumps
Fort Eustis, Va. (Woodside High School)

• Prep Best: Triple Jump – 48’7″
• 2012 Virginia AAA All State Triple Jump (Outdoors)
• Ranked #10 Nationally Outdoors in the Triple Jump
• Currently ranked #9 Nationally Indoors in the Triple Jump
• Chose Virginia over Texas

Wilson on Worrell: “Aaron is originally from Texas and has that `Lone Star State’ swag. He has huge aspirations and could very well reach many of his performance goals this year. He is still be growing into his body which is a great indicator of his upside.”

Worrell on Virginia: “At first I was sold by the prestige of the University and my mom saw this as a great opportunity to get a good education. I was skeptical about staying in state because I wanted to check out other schools, but after spending time with the team, seeing the bond between teammates, and getting to know the coaches, I felt extremely comfortable on Grounds and looked forward to being a part of UVa. I’m confident in the kids we have coming in as first-year students, and I think we’ll accomplish a lot great things.”

Henry Wynne
Middle Distance
Westport, Conn. (Staples High School)

• Prep Bests: 800m – 1:53.23; 1600m – 4:10.35
• 2013 New Balance Grand Prix High School Mile Champion
• 2012 Connecticut Cross Country Champion
• 2012 New England Cross Country Champion
• 2012 New Balance High School Outdoor National Runner-Up
• Chose Virginia over Duke, Georgetown, Michigan and Penn

Fetzer on Wynne: “With a name like “Wynne” how could you not like him? He is a competitor. Sometimes we (track coaches) get caught up on times and fail to see how much an individual can get it done when it counts. Henry does just that.”