SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Santa Clara cross country/track & field will add eight new runners to its women's roster for the 2017-18 season, announced on Thursday by head coach Felipe Montoro. The group hails from five different states and features seven incoming freshmen along with one transfer.
"I'm really looking forward to working with this new group," head coach Felipe Montoro said. "Many of the runners are still new to the sport and that is an exciting component of this class. The girls are all hungry to learn and improve."
THE RUNNERS
Kalen Abe
Kingsburg HS | Kingsburg, Calif.
Top Times: 1,600m - 5:23.38 | 3,200m - 11:42.49
Top Finishes: 2nd Place CIF Finals Sequoia Sierra Division II at 3,200m
Coach Montoro on Abe: "Kalen has two years of experience on the track. She was a sprinter during her junior year and moved up to distance last season. She clearly has ability as a distance runner given her first-year marks. I am looking forward to her long-term development."
Titilola Bolarinwa
Palo Alto HS | Palo Alto, Calif.
Top Times: 200m - 25.77 | 400m - 56.83
Top Finishes: 3rd Place CIF CCS Finals at 400m
Coach Montoro on Bolarinwa: "Titi was a highly-competitive long sprinter at Palo Alto High School, qualifying for the California state championships at 400 meters. She ran nearly a full two-second PR to qualify for state and also ran a great split on the 4x400-meter relay at the CCS Finals. She is fully committed to moving up to 800 meters at Santa Clara, and has a very bright future in the event at the college level.
Chloe Hobson
University of Washington | Tahoma Senior HS | Kent, Wash.
Top Times: 800m - 2:22.93 | 1,600m - 5:25.05
Coach Montoro on Hobson: "Chloe was a competitive middle-distance runner at Tahoma High School before spending a year at Washington. A strong desire to be a competitive runner again and the academic opportunities SCU has to offer drew her to our program. I am excited to see what she can bring to the team."
Sarah King
Fairview HS | Boulder, Colo.
Top Times (All at Altitude): 800m - 2:21.94 | 1,600m - 5:20.60 | 3,200m - 11:37.98 | 5,000m XC - 19:16
Top Finishes: 41st, 45th and 70th Place Colorado 5A XC State Championships
Coach Montoro on King: "Sarah has shown good range with competitive marks across four different distances. She has been very consistent in her performances both on the trails and on the track. She fit right in on her visit and will add depth and talent to the roster."
Ellie Kopf
Seattle Prep | Seattle, Wash.
Top Times: 1,500m - 4:51.47 | 1,600m - 5:16.58 | 3,200m - 11:28.70 | 5,000m XC - 19:54
Coach Montoro on Kopf: "Ellie took to distance running right away and was helped by being a competitive soccer player until her junior track season. Despite her limited experience and a series of setbacks that further limited her ability to train, Ellie ran some very good marks and showed a great deal of promise. Keeping her healthy will be priority number one, and if we can do that, she will be great for us."
Emma McCurry
West Linn HS | West Linn, Ore.
Top Times: 1,500m - 5:04.04 | 3,000m - 11:07.01
Coach Montoro on McCurry: "Emma is another student-athlete that found distance running late in high school. With only one year of running under her belt, Emma improved every race throughout her senior track season and ran her best marks in her final races. I am looking forward to her continued development."
Janie Nabholz
Glenbard West HS | Glenn Ellyn, Ill.
Top Times: 400m - 59.26 | 800m - 2:15.50
Coach Montoro on Nabholz: "Janie has great range and is an excellent addition to the team. With her new singular focus on distance running, her future is full of potential."
Lacey Yahnke
Our Lady of Peace Academy | San Diego, Calif.
Top Times: 800m - 2:22.65
Coach Montoro on Yahnke: "Lacey was as excited about being a Bronco as anyone we've ever had in the program. I am looking forward to gradually increasing her workload and seeing how she responds in a much different training environment that she is used to."
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