Virginia Women Sign Seven Student-Athletes
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.- The Virginia women’s track and field and cross country team announced the signing of seven student-athletes on Thursday (Nov.22).
Rebecca Hawkins (London) will join the Cavaliers in January, while Ariel Arbiv (Atlanta, Ga.), Riley Larsen (Point Pleasant, N.J.), Caroline Johannes (Hingham, Mass.), Emma Myer (Branchville, N.J.), Alahna Sabbakhan (Washington D.C.) and Jada Seaman (Pikesville, Md.) will compete with Virginia in the fall of 2019.
“We’re very excited about these additions to the program,” director of track and field Bryan Fetzer said. “They’ll fill some holes that we’ll lose to graduation and boost some areas we need improvement.”
Rebecca Hawkins | Sidcup, London, United Kingdom 
High Jump
• Finished in the top-three five-times at the outdoor National Championships, including winning the national title twice
• Placed second at the European Junior Club Championships twice, competing in Brno, Czech Republic in 2017 and Castellon, Spain in 2018
• Placed in the top three in back-to-back years at the English Schools Championships
“I’m excited to finally get Rebecca in Charlottesville,” Fetzer said. “Her international experience will allow her to have an immediate impact this spring.”
Ariel Arbiv |Atlanta, Ga | The Weber School 
Pole Vault
• Finished third at the National Junior Olympics in 2017, after winning the Regional Junior Olympics and placing second at the State Junior Olympics earlier in the season
• Finished first at both the indoor and outdoor New Balance Nationals, setting an emerging elite meet record
• Two-time runner-up at Georgia high school state meet as both a freshman and sophomore
“Ariel is an outstanding student-athlete from Atlanta,” assistant coach Mario Wilson said. “I got to meet her a couple years ago during her older sister’s official visit to UVA and knew that she would be making her own mark someday. I’m glad that she will be in Cavalier colors as she continues her vaulting career. Ariel is very skilled and has a great understanding of the event. She has huge goals for the upcoming year and I look forward to working with her in the future.”
Riley Larsen |Point Pleasant, N.J. | Point Pleasant Boro High School
Pole Vault
• Two-time Ocean County pole vault champion and two-time Shore Conference champion
• Won the pole vault at the outdoor 2018 NJSIAA Sectionals and placed second in the indoor competition
• Set the Point Pleasant Boro school record in the indoor and outdoor pole vault
• Finished in the top ten at both the 2017 and 2018 NJSIAA Meet of Champions
“Riley is relatively new to the pole vault but has, in that time, achieved so much,” said Wilson. “She wrapped up her gymnastics career this fall and will, for the first time, be devoting all of her athleticism to the pole vault. Riley is tall, fast and athletic, which is an amazing set of skills to possess. She is also an amazing student who will achieve great things academically here at UVA. I can’t wait to have Riley here to see her take her talents to the next level.”
Caroline Johannes | Hingham, Mass. | Hingham High
Distance 
• Holds the Hingham school record with the 4xmile relay and the junior indoor and outdoor mile, in addition to holding the school record at the program’s cross country course
• Finished senior year undefeated in Patriot League cross country meets, including winning the Patriot League cross country championship
• Finished third in the Tommy Cochary High School Mile, an event limited to just ten runners (per men’s and women’s race) from the state
• Finished third at the Div 3 EMass Cross Country State championship, in addition to placing fourth in the mile at the indoor state championship and sixth in the two-mile at the outdoor state championship
“Caroline is new to running and I believe she has tremendous room for improvement over the years,” said women’s head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach Megan LaVoie. “We think her high energy will be great for our team.”
Emma Myer |Branchville, N.J. | Pope John XXIII Regional High School
Distance 
• Three-time New Jersey Catholic Track Conference champion, winning the 1000m twice and the 1600m once
• Won the state title with the 4x800m relay and is a three-time 4x800m relay sectional champion
• Qualified for the New Balance Nationals five times and finished in the top ten with her relay team on three occasions
• Seven-time first-team New Jersey Athletic Conference honoree
“Emma is an extremely motivated athlete that will be a great addition to our team,” LaVoie said. “Her progression has been great over the years and I think she will develop well for us.”
Alahna Sabbakhan |Washington D.C. | St. John’s College High School
Distance
• Six-time USATF All-American Junior Olympics honoree and 2015 AAU All-American Junior Olympics honoree 
• Three-time national champion after capturing wins at the 2015 indoor USATF championships in the 400m and 4x400m relay, and 2016 outdoor USATF championships with the 4x800m relay, in addition to being a two-time USATF regional champion in the 400m dash
• Earned indoor and outdoor All-American honors at the New Balance Nationals
• Named the 2018 WCAC Championships Female Athlete MVP
“Alahna has accomplished great things thus far in high school,” LaVoie said. “She has moved her focus to the 800 and has developed well so far in the event. She has a great attitude that will help take her to a very high level in collegiate running.”
Jada Seaman | Pikesville, Md. | McDonogh School
Sprints/Jumps
• Named a 2018 All-American in the long jump at the indoor New Balance Nationals and a 2018 All-American in the 200m dash at the outdoor New Balance Nationals
• Won the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland conference title in the indoor 55m, 300m and long jump and outdoor 100m, 200m and long jump
• Holds McDonogh school record in the 100m, 200m and long jump
• Named the Baltimore Sun All-Metro Girls Outdoor Track and Field Performer of the Year
“Jada is the most dynamic student-athlete from the state of Maryland,” Wilson said. “When an alum gave me the heads up about her talents a year ago, I felt that she could make a huge impact on our team. Jada was so much fun during the recruiting process. Getting to know her and her family made the past few months so special. I’m so excited that she has chosen to be a part of this team and university community.”