SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Santa Clara cross country/track & field will add seven new runners to its men's roster for the 2017-18 season, announced on Wednesday by head coach Felipe Montoro. The group comes from six different states and features five freshmen-to-be along with two collegiate transfers.
Head Coach Felipe Montoro: "This class adds talent in both middle and long distances as well as depth to our team. There are a couple of guys who have the potential to make an immediate impact, and I am looking forward to the fun process of assimilating new faces to the team. This is a diverse group from all over the country, but what [associate head coach Pete Cushman] and I are most excited about is what the runners have in common — a desire to be great and continue the process of elevating the Santa Clara program."
THE RUNNERS
Daryon Baynard
San Jose City College | Piedmont Hills HS | San Jose, Calif.
Top Times: 400m - 50.73 | 800m - 1:54.73
Coach Montoro on Baynard: "Pete did a great job recruiting Daryon to Santa Clara. His potential is through the roof based on his sprint training background and desire to move up to the 800-meter and 1,500-meter events at SCU. I am excited to see how Daryon develops in a new training environment and most importantly with a team around him.
Luke Davies
Archbishop Spalding HS | Severn, Md.
Top Times: 1,600m - 4:23.01 | 3,200m - 9:40.59 | 5,000m XC - 16:40
Top Finishes: 8th Place Maryland XC State Meet Varsity A Division
Coach Montoro on Davies: "Luke had a solid and balanced career at Archbishop Spalding in Maryland. His 8th place finish in state cross country and 1,600-meter time in the spring show great range. He has the build for the sport and a lot of room for growth in his training."
Brendan Jones
Jesuit HS | Sacramento, Calif.
Top Times: 800m - 1:57.65 | 1,600m - 4:18.73 | 3,200m - 9:20.05 | 5,000m XC - 15:20
Top Finishes: 4th Place San Joaquin Masters Meet 1600m in 2016; 6th Place in 2017
Coach Montoro on Jones: "Brendan comes from one of the historically great programs in California, Jesuit Sacramento coached by Walt Lange. He will be 100 percent ready for college training and his marks prove he is a threat to make an impact right away. Brendan is a well-rounded, balanced student-athlete who will make us better."
James Konugres
Ballard HS | Seattle, Wash.
Top Times: 1,600m - 4:22.52 | 3,200m - 9:25.15 | 5,000m XC - 15:25
Top Finishes: 4th place Washington XC 3A State Meet in 2015; 6th Place in 2016
Coach Montoro on Konugres: "We targeted James early in the recruiting process as a great fit for our team. His success in cross country at the state level and his potential in the longer distances in college made him a high priority. Making the jump to 8k and 10k races can be a challenge for freshman, but I am excited to see how James makes the adjustment."
Connor Lehl
Punahou School | Honolulu, Hawai'i
Top Times: 800m - 1:58.13 | 1,500m - 4:03.04 | 5,000m XC - 15:33
Top Finishes: Hawai'i State Champion for XC and 1,500m in 2016; 3,000m in 2017
Coach Montoro on Lehl: "Connor was undefeated his entire senior year when facing in-state competition. He fared very well when he competed against mainland athletes too. Training and racing in Hawai'i can be challenging given the conditions. Connor, however, ran some very competitive marks and has a very bright future at the next level."
Zach Litoff
Monarch HS | Boulder, Colo.
Top Times: 800m - 1:56.28 (altitude) | 1,600m - 4:22.70 (altitude) | 3,200m - 9:10.28 | 5,000m XC - 16:00
Top Finishes (All in 2017): 3rd Place Colorado 5A State Championships at 1,600m and 3,200m; 5th Place at 800m | 9th Place New Balance Outdoor Nationals 3,200m
Coach Montoro on Litoff: "I am very pleased to be adding Zach to the roster. He clicked with the coaching staff and the guys on the team right away during his visit. Zach really improved a lot throughout the course of his senior year culminating with strong performances at 1,600 and 3,200 meters in the state meet. He has a lot of talent and is just starting to develop physically. Zach has a very bright future for us."
Daniel Ziems
Palo Verde HS | Las Vegas, Nev.
Top Times: 1,600m - 4:19.20 (altitude) | 3,200m - 9:23.61 (altitude) | 5000m XC - 15:37
Top Finishes: 2nd Place 2017 Nevada 4A State Championships at 3,200m; 3rd place at 1,600m
Coach Montoro on Ziems: "Daniel is another athlete who had a steep improvement curve in his final year of high school. From his junior season to his senior season, Daniel dropped his 1,600-meter PR by 21 seconds and his 3,200-meter PR by 40 seconds. More importantly, he ran his best times in the most important races of the season at state with altitude. He has outstanding form and will be a tremendous addition to the team."
CONNECT WITH THE BRONCOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Cross Country/Track & Field: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
GO BRONCOS!
