Virginia Women Sign 10 to NLIs
Nov. 25, 2016
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.—Virginia director of track and field/cross country Bryan Fetzer announced Friday (Nov. 25) that 10 student-athletes, Khyasia Caldwell-Adams, Libby Davidson, Margot Ehrenthal, Jesse Geller, Briana Gess, Halle Hazzard, Brittany Jones, Morgan Lewis, Doria Martingayle and Maddie Rennyson, have signed National Letters of Intent to join the UVA women’s track and field and cross country program in Fall 2017.
“This is one of the deepest and winningest classes I have had as a coach,” Fetzer said. “It might not gain national notoriety, but our men have also not since I’ve been here and we’re a top-10 program. It is not about putting together one that will win the ‘publication rankings,’ it’s about finding the right fit for UVA and our program. The bottom line is that this group wins on every level. Sometimes we get too caught up in the numbers game and forget that knowing how to win when championships are on the line is what counts.”
Khyasia Caldwell-Adams • Jumps • Pocono Summit, Pa.
• Two-time Pennsylvania 3A long jump state champion
• Lehigh Valley Morning Call 2016 Athlete of the Year
“Khyasia is an incredible student-athlete and has the ability to make an immediate impact on our program. She accomplished so much in such a short time as a track and field athlete. Her future is bright.” – UVA assistant coach Mario Wilson
“I chose the University of Virginia because of the way the coaching staff approached me was very different that all of the other schools. As soon as I checked in at the hotel [for an official visit], I had this gut feeling about the school. I fell in love with the area, school, people and the spirit of the college. The girls of the track team I met were very friendly and welcoming of me being there. The whole weekend I felt as if I can connect with them over the next four years.” – Caldwell-Adams
Libby Davidson • Distance/Cross Country • Lynchburg, Va.
• 10-time Virginia individual state champion
• Two-time New Balance Nationals 2-mile runner-up
“Libby has consistently proven that she is one of the top distance runners in the country over the past several years. She is as tough of a competitor as I have seen in high school, and that has shown at national meets.” – UVA women’s cross country coach Todd Morgan
“There are many reasons I chose UVA. One being my desire to represent my home state. I grew up loving the University of Virginia and the chance to represent my state is exciting. In choosing a school the makeup of the team was of utmost importance and I can say I really love the team. Additionally, the coaches are great and they appreciate my personal goals for my future in running. It is an excellent school, which leads to getting an outstanding degree, something I will have for the rest of my life. There are wonderful services, including great dining halls (including an athletic dining hall), nutritionists on site, sports psychologists, tutors and academic advisors all designed for athletes, we are supported in all realms at UVA. And of course Charlottesville is an amazing and very beautiful area with endless opportunities. These varied attributes added up to picking the best school and cross country/track team in the country!” – Davidson
Margot Ehrenthal • Middle Distance/Cross Country • Concord, Mass.
• Massachusettes mile state runner-up
• New Balance Indoor Nationals DMR qualifier
“Margot is a great athlete and is just coming into her own with her running. She has split time with soccer until this year, but is focusing on running now. We are excited to see what she can do when she gets here.” – Morgan
“I choose UVA because of the outstanding balance they offer blending education and sports. The running program has a great tradition of success and the girls on the team were very welcoming. The coaches are highly experienced and I know that I can trust them to make me a great runner. I was impressed by the amount of academic support athletes are provided and know that as a student-athlete I will be given great opportunities to be successful. I can’t wait to become a Cavalier in 2017! Wahoowa!” – Ehrenthal
Jesse Geller • Throws • Demarest, N.J.
• Three-time New Jersey State Sectional javelin champion
• Third in javelin at Penn Relays Carnival
“Jesse Geller’s strong drive and commitment is something that we appreciate very much at UVA. She has established herself to be one of the best javelin throwers in New Jersey for the past three years, and will be a great addition to our team.” – UVA assistant coach Martin Maric
“Jesse will make an awesome addition to our women’s team as a javelin thrower. She has a tremendous amount of untapped potential to go along with a great attitude.” – Wilson
“UVA is not like any school I had ever seen before; it is the best of both worlds. The second I stepped onto Grounds, I knew this was what I was looking for in my college search. Not only does the school have superb athletics across the board, it is also the perfect academic fit for me. It was ‘love at first sight,’ as I like to put it. From the moment I drove through Grounds, I felt at home. I was flooded with emotions telling my parents I already loved it, even though we had only been at the school for less than an hour. My love was instant and continual. From the beautiful weather, to the southern charm, and best of all, the array of food – I knew I made the right choice.” – Geller
Briana Gess • Middle Distance/Cross Country • Haddonfield, N.J.
• New Jersey Gatorade Cross Country Athlete of the Year
• Three-time 1,600m New Jersey Meet of Champions winner
“Briana brings a lot of range to the team. She has run great middle-distance marks and at a high level in cross country as well.” – Morgan
“While I was going through the college process, people would constantly tell me that I would get a certain feeling when I found the right college. UVA was the last official I took, and I am so grateful for that because I got that feeling there, and I knew leaving that official, that I wanted to spend the next four years of my life there. Everything from the coaches, to the teammates, to the facilities, to the food (especially the food!) made me feel like I was already at my second home.” – Gess
Halle Hazzard • Sprints • Commack, N.Y.
• 100m New York state champion
• New Balance Outdoor Nationals 100m All-American
“She already has a well-known name around UVA and our program [Older brother Payton ran for UVA]. The first time I watched her compete, I knew she had the potential to be special. She brings a toughness and determined demeanor that great sprinters have. She will make an immediate impact on all levels.” – Fetzer
“I believe UVA will help me reach my full potential athletically and academically. This school provides its students with everything they need to be successful. There’s no reason that you shouldn’t be able to achieve your goals. These next four years will define me as in individual, as well as shape me into the person I want to be. I trust that UVA will allow me to achieve uncompromised excellence.” – Hazzard
Brittany Jones • Throws • Bloomfield, Conn.
• Connecticut state shot put champion
• All-New England performer in shot put
“Brittany Jones will be a great fit to our already established team. With no lack of perseverance and her remarkable talent, it will not take long before Brittany becomes one of the top throwers in our conference.” – Maric
“I chose UVA because they were one of the first schools interested in me and when I went on my official visit, the community made me feel at home. Also, the team and coaches were very warm and genuine so I felt at home at UVA. I felt like I would fit in well at Virginia and. There are also many resources available to student-athletes that were appealing to me. Importantly, my major is available at UVA.” – Jones
Morgan Lewis • Distance/Cross Country • Richmond, Va.
• Three-time Virginia Division 2 cross country state champion
• Six-time Virginia Division 2 track and field champion
“Morgan has shown phenomenal improvement from year-to-year. She has the mindset and the talent to become a great runner for us.” – Morgan
“I chose UVA because I believe this is the school at which I will best be able to grow and thrive as an athlete and a student. The academic and athletic environments simultaneously support and encourage students while also pushing and challenging them to achieve excellence. Virginia is rich with history, culture, changing seasons, diverse topography and tradition. I could not be happier to continue to invest in my home state by pursuing great ideas, rigorous athletics and deep friendships at the University of Virginia.” – Lewis
Doria Martingayle • Distance/Cross Country • Virginia Beach, Va.
• Two-time Virginia outdoor track state champion
• Virginia state cross country runner-up
“I have watched Doria for a few years and she is relentless in terms of competitiveness. She is a very talented runner and is going to find a way to succeed. We are excited she is on our side.” – Morgan
“I chose UVA because of the amazing coaching staff and opportunities as both a student and athlete. I grew up as a Wahoo as my father is a graduate of the UVA Law School and I always came to the games in my cheerleading uniform as a little kid. As I looked at schools I realized that UVA is where I will be happiest even outside of the sports world because if feels the most like home.” Martingayle
Maddie Rennyson • Middle Distance • Lynchburg, Va.
• Two-time Virginia state champion
• Led E.C. Glass to state titles in cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field
“Maddi was our first commitment this year. You’ve only seen a small glimpse into what she is going to accomplish. She wants to be great and is unselfish and those are special qualities. What she has been a part of at E.C. Glass (winning state championships as a team in both cross country and track) are amazing. We want that championship mindset in all our student-athletes that are involved with our program.” – Fetzer
“I chose UVA because I wanted to compete at a high level of athletics while getting an amazing education. When I visited UVA, immediately felt like I fit in with the team and I know the coaches are going to help me get where I want to be. I really liked the values that are instilled in each of the athletes and the expectations of being successful in the classroom as well as on the track. Ever since I was little, it has been my dream to compete in athletics at the collegiate level and I feel at Virginia, I can live out my dream and, although it will be challenging, I know that the next four years are going to be the best ones of my life.” – Rennyson