SEATTLE, Wash. - Trisha Steidl, head coach of the Seattle University cross country and track and field program, has announced the group of student-athletes that have signed either National Letters of Intent or athletic aid agreements to come to Seattle University and join the Redhawk program beginning in the 2007-08 academic year.
Steidl has signed three females and four males that plan to participate in both cross country and track and field for Seattle University. Tiffany Hunter (Longview, Wash.) finished 26th in the 2006 Washington high school cross country championships and has run 19:19 over five kilometers. Rachael Johnson (Yakima, Wash.) finished 17th in the 2005 high school state cross country championships and has also excelled in the 400 meter and 800 meter runs during track season. Julia Miller (Normandy Park, Wash.) has posted personal bests of 5:37 in the 1600 meter run, 12:00 in the 3200 meter run, and 20:36 over five kilometers in cross country competition.
"All of these women are coming in not only as great athletes, but also as dedicated students who will add to the strength of our team both academically and athletically," Steidl said.
Among the four male newcomers is Hans Heitzinger (Scottsdale, Ariz.), the brother of current SU student-athletes Nathan Heitzinger and Peter Heitzinger, who finished fifth in the 3200 meter run at the Arizona state meet. Alec Adams (Woodway, Wash.) is familiar with Steidl's coaching style, as she coached him in the distance events during the 2006 track season at Edmonds-Woodway High School. Nick Cannata-Bowman (San Francisco, Calif.) brings versatility to the squad, with experience in cross country as well as the 400 meter, 800 meter, 1600 meter, and 3200 meter runs on the track. Graham Miller (Spokane, Wash.) has run personal bests of 55.0 seconds in the 400 meter run and 2:01 in the 800 meter run and finished 86th in the Junior Olympics cross country event in 2006.
"Similarly to the women, these guys are all talented in the classroom and will add to the academic prowess of our men's team," said Steidl.
Three student-athletes will join the Seattle University track team next season. Rachel Purcell (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) has personal bests of 26.7 seconds in the 200 meter dash and 60.43 seconds in the 400 meter run, while Liz Wolf (Albuquerque, N.M.) is part of the 4x200 relay quartet that holds the state record in New Mexico (1:44.00). d'Andre Benjamin (Mililani, Hawaii) is the two-time state champion in the 300 meter hurdles, recently won the Hawaii state championship in the 110 meter hurdles and the 4x100 meter relay, and finished fourth in the long jump in this year's state championship meet.
"Rachel will be a great asset to our track and field program, filling a much-needed spot in our long sprints area. Liz is an exceptional sprinter that will make an instant impact to our women's track squad," said Eric Schueffner, assistant track and field coach. "d'Andre comes to us with an incredible level of success, and his strength in the jumps, hurdles, and relays will provide Seattle University with an exciting all-around performer."
The Seattle University track and field teams are coming off a season in which they set 18 new school records over the indoor and outdoor campaigns. In the fall of 2007, the cross country teams will be looking to improve on their 16th place regional finishes from last season.