Virginia Track & Field Announces 2014 Recruiting Class

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Feb. 6, 2014

CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia track and field and cross country programs announced their 2014 recruiting class on Thursday. The Cavaliers welcome eight men and seven women who signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the program in the fall.

“Our staff is very excited about this year’s group of recruits,” said head coach Bryan Fetzer. “We feel they will each be a solid fit in the UVa community, both athletically and academically. Sometimes coaches can get caught up in the rankings and forget about finding athletes that can project long-term success. We feel that these athletes will have an immediate impact at the ACC and NCAA level in the near future. This overall group has a tremendous ability to develop in our program with the coaching staff and support staff we have at Virginia. Exciting times are coming to UVa.

“The goal of this year’s recruiting class was to fill needed areas as we continue to build a complete program,” added Fetzer. “Last year our focus for the women’s program was building our distance and sprint groups, while this year it was more field-event centered. In our men’s program, this year we wanted to build on our distance program’s recent success as well as begin to build a throws program. I feel very strongly that we accomplished that this year with this group.”

In addition, the Cavaliers announced two January enrollees to the current roster. Filip Mihaljevic (Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina) joined the men’s team and Caitlin Mautz (Doylestown, Pa.) joined the women’s team. Mihaljevic is a seven-time Croatian champion in the shot put and was second in the event at last year’s European Junior Championships. Mautz was the 2013 Pennsylvania state champion in the javelin.

2014 Men’s Recruiting Class

Logan Carrington • Middle Distance • Leesburg, Va. (Tuscarora)
• Top ranked in 400m in Virginia
• Competed national meets in the 400m and 800m
• All-State in the 800m and 4x800m relay
• Son of Sandra and Kevin Carrington
• Chose Virginia over Villanova and Virginia Tech

Carrington on Virginia: “I am a legacy of UVa alumni, so sometimes I wonder if UVa chose me. I’ve heard about UVa’s strong academic reputation, successful athletic programs, and infectious school spirit throughout my life. When I first stepped on the track at Lannigan Field, I saw myself running there and it felt like home. I look forward to joining the team, working with Coach Fetzer and the entire coaching staff, and creating my own UVa legacy.”

Brent Demarest • Cross Country/Distance • Charleston, S.C. (Porter Gaud)
• Four-time South Carolina cross country state champion
• Two-time Gatorade South Carolina Runner of the Year
• Two-time Foot Locker Cross Country national finalist
• Also a three-time state swimmer of the year, winning seven state championships
• 2013 Junior Elite Triathlon National championship runner-up
• Chose Virginia over Dartmouth, North Carolina and Furman

Demarest on Virginia: “When I received offers from other schools, so many people I encountered asked why UNC, why Furman, why Dartmouth, but never did anyone ask why UVa. I think that is so telling because it’s obvious that the academic prestige and athletic reputation speak volumes for UVa. So much so, that not one person questioned why I would choose to go there, only heartfelt congratulations. I also love the size of the school and of course it’s stellar academics, but I was particularly drawn to the strength of its athletic program. I felt an immediate connection with the team, coaching staff and the athletic philosophy of the running program. With that type of running environment, I feel that I and especially my team can achieve great things.”

Kenneth Hagen • Cross Country/Middle Distance • Blacksburg, Va. (Blacksburg)
• 2013 All-State Cross Country
• 2013 All-State Indoor 500m
• All-American in the DMR at New Balance Nationals
• Member of 2011 and 2012 State Champion Cross Country team
• Son of Susan and Joel Hagen
• Chose Virginia over Clemson and Tennessee

Hagen on Virginia: “I picked UVa because it had the right blend of academics and athletics. I felt it was a good fit for me, and I liked how the team, both on the track and off the track.”

Trevor Hopper • Cross Country/Distance • Ridgefield, Conn. (Ridgefield)
• 2013 New England Cross Country Champion (setting course record)
• Placed 37th at 2013 Nike Cross Country Nationals
• Placed 10th nationally in the 5000m
• 2013 New England 3200m runner-up
• Son of Betty and Bryant Hopper
• Chose Virginia over Notre Dame and Dartmouth

Hopper on Virginia: “UVa hits all my `must haves’ – solid academic reputation, impressive running teams, challenging classes, beautiful campus and supportive athletic program. During my official visit, I felt very welcomed by Coach Fetzer and Coach Watson, as well as the athletes on the team. I really enjoyed my visit and I knew UVa was the place for me.”

Jack Lint • Multi-Events • Westerville, Ohio (Columbus Academy)
• National Champion in the octathlon at the IAAF World Youth Trials
• Competed at the World Youth Championships
• State champion in the 300m hurdles as a sophomore
• Member of two state champion relay teams
• Also an all-state soccer player
• Son of Karen and Jerry Lint
• Chose Virginia over Princeton and Stanford

Lint on Virginia: “I chose the University of Virginia because it was the best overall fit for me. When I arrived on Grounds, I made a strong connection with the school. I fit in well with the team and really connected with Coach Wilson and Coach Fetzer. The energy that I felt with the track team and with all the people I met on the grounds was something that really drew me to UVa.”

Kevin Roddy • Throws • Duncan, Okla. (Duncan)
• 2014 top-ranked returner in shot put and discus
• 2013 state champion in discus and runner up in shot put
• 2013 Shot Put Bronze Medalist at the World Youth Track & Field Trials
• 2013 USATF Shot Put National Champion
• 2013 AAU National Champion and All-American in Shot Put and Discus
• 11 national championships
• Son of Gretchen and Craig Roddy
• Chose Virginia over Stanford, Texas Christian, Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Arizona State, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tulsa and Arkansas State

Roddy on Virginia: “The Virginia track and field program is unparalleled in its approach towards building one of the nation’s top teams. Upon visiting the school, I was impressed with the quality coaching staff, advisors, and students. The interaction between athletics and academics and the facilities is unbeatable. I quickly realized the quality of studies and competition, and the distinct values set forth at the University of Virginia were a perfect fit with my collegiate goals.”

Chase Weaverling • Cross Country/Distance • Darnestown, Md. (Poolesville)
• 2013 Maryland 2A Cross Country State Champion
• 2013 Maryland 2A Indoor 3200m State Champion
• 2013 Maryland Outdoor 2A 3200m and 1600m State Champion
• Son of Michele and Thomas Weaverling
• Chose Virginia over Penn and Brown

Weaverling on Virginia: “I chose UVa because I could see myself thriving there in both academics and athletics. As soon as I stepped foot at UVa, I could see myself as a student athlete there, and meeting everybody on the team solidified that feeling. I am excited to be a part of a track and field program that continually strives for excellence in all areas, at one of the best universities in the nation.”

James Williams • Throws • Radford, Va. (Radford)
• 2013 Virginia state champion in the discus
• Set discus record at state meet
• No. 14 ranked junior nationally in 2013
• Son of Vicki and Phil Williams
• Chose Virginia over VMI

Williams on Virginia: “I liked Coach Maric. Virginia has top of the line facilities, some of the best coaches I could ask for, and I know I’ll get a great education.”

2014 Women’s Recruiting Class

Mia Barron • Jumps • Minnetonka, Minn. (Minnetonka)
• Three time USATF Junior Olympic All-American
• Minnesota state record holder in the triple jump
• 2013 Minnesota state champion in the long jump
• Finished second at the 2013 World Youth Trials in the triple jump
• Daughter of Gen and Craig Barron
• Chose Virginia over Notre Dame, California and Wisconsin

Barron on Virginia: “I love how passionate the UVa track and field coaches and team are about their sport as well as their school. I could tell right away that the team is committed to excellence, both in track & field and in their academics. I fell in love with UVa and Charlottesville as soon as I stepped onto grounds. The school spirit is great and Charlottesville seems like the perfect college town. I know that an education from the University of Virginia will set me up for long-term success in my career path and I also feel confident that the track & field staff will help me reach all of my athletic goals. I can’t wait to join the team and begin my career as a student-athlete at UVa!”

Carter Green • Throws • Ashland, Pa. (North Schuylkill)
• 2013 New Balance All-American
• Placed sixth nationally in the discus
• 2013 state runner-up in the discus
• District record holder in the discus
• Daughter of Robyn and Jason Green
• Chose Virginia over Penn and Duke

Green on Virginia: “I chose UVa because of the beautiful location, the excellent academics, and the amazing people on the team. It has been my dream school since junior high and it is an honor to be accepted to such a prestigious school.”

Bridget Guy • Pole Vault • Greensburg, Pa. (Hempfield)
• Member of state champion 4x100m relay
• Member of state champion Hempfield team
• Daughter of Daria and Jim Guy
• Chose Virginia over Kansas State and Penn State

Guy on Virginia: “UVa is the best choice for me because they laid everything out for me. Their preparation to inform me about what UVa has to offer made me confident in my decision. I believe their academics will help me achieve my goals of becoming a business major. I am honored and excited to be a part of the UVa family as well as a member of the track and field team.”

Kiana Hairston • Sprints • Manassas, Va. (Osbourn Park)
• All State at 100m, 200m, and in the 4x100m Relay
• Currently ranked in top 25 in the 300m nationally
• 2014 indoor conference 55m champion
• Daughter of Karen and George Hairston
• Chose Virginia over James Madison and George Mason

Hairston on Virginia: “Since I was a little girl I have always wanted to attend the University of Virginia. My mother is a Virginia graduate and she instilled in me the value of a college degree and a University of Virginia education. The opportunity to compete in track and field at such a prestigious university is a dream come true. I am so excited to represent the Blue and Orange.”

Kate Kaufman • Pole Vault • Chattanooga, Tenn. (Baylor School)
• School and city record holder in the pole vault
• Daughter of Mary Elizabeth and Julian Kaufman
• Chose Virginia over Lafayette and Bucknell

Kaufman on Virginia: “Virginia offered everything that other schools could and more. Whenever other schools had negatives, those negatives were not at Virginia. The facilities, the coaching staff, the education and the opportunities to excel were clearly superior to any of the other schools I was looking at.”

Katie Roche • Cross Country/Middle Distance • Burke, Va. (Lake Braddock)
• 2013 Virginia 1000m champion
• Two-time 4x800m relay state champion
• All-State in Cross Country
• 2012 second-team All-Southeast region in cross country
• Washington Post All-Met in cross country and track
• Daughter of Maureen and Maurice Roche
• Chose Virginia over Vanderbilt

Roche on Virginia: “UVa has always felt like home to me. I grew up rooting for the Cavaliers at football games along with my dad, who is a Virginia alumnus. On my official visit, the team was very welcoming and they made sure I had a great time. After just one weekend with them, I knew there was no other place I’d rather spend my next four years.”

Holly Sullivan • Multi-Events • Chester Springs, Pa. (Owen J. Roberts)
• Ranked seventh nationally in the heptathlon
• Pennsylvania state medalist in the heptathlon
• Holds 10 individual school records
• Daughter of Lee and Verne Sullivan
• Chose Virginia over Princeton, Villanova and Penn

Sullivan on Virginia: “After meeting the team, I knew UVa was the best fit for me. Enthusiasm, hard work and amazing support systems all seemed to be there.”