Seattle University head cross country and track & field coach Trisha Steidl has announced that 12 student-athletes, seven females and five males, will attend the university and join the track and field program beginning with the fall quarter in 2009.
Kaytie Bateman (Pe Ell, Wash.) will be a multi-event competitor after competing in the long jump, the 100 meter dash, the 100 meter hurdles, the 400 meter dash, and the 800 meter run at Pe Ell High School. Meeghan Bergmann (Portland, Ore.) will add depth to the sprinting crew after posting personal bests of 25.64 seconds in the 200 meter dash and 57.16 seconds in the 400 meter dash at St. Mary’s Academy.
“Kaytie has a strong mental attitude for every event and has the potential to do some phenomenal things over the next four years,” assistant coach Eric Schueffner said. “I am very excited to begin working with Meeghan, as she is an incredibly versatile sprinter.”
Local product Lauren Hammerle (Seattle, Wash.) was a top distance runner for Ballard High School, while Brittney Hovdenes (Rapid City, S.D.) transfers from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, where she posted a top time of 12:45 in the steeplechase. Jennifer Stolle (Seattle, Wash.) returns home from the American School in Japan, where she performed well in the distance running events.
“Lauren is a top student and a dedicated athlete who will be a great asset to our distance team. Brittney has been competing well in the steeple at the collegiate level, and I look forward to having a female steeplechaser on the team. Jennifer has a hard-working, positive attitude and, coupled with the big improvements she’s made over the past year, is going to be a great overall asset to the team and the university,” said Steidl.
Amanda Luna (Beaver Creek, Ore.) hopes to add to the team’s success in the jumping events after setting personal bests of 16’11.25” in the long jump and 36’8.25” in the triple jump. Brittany Philio (Renton, Wash.) is another area resident who will add depth for Seattle University, especially in the jumping events.
“Brittany is an outstanding student, having served as student body president at Hazen High School. Amanda is an exceptional student-athlete who will bring a lot of quality and talent to both our team and to Seattle University,” Schueffner said.
Dylan Burnett-Lewis (Lynnwood, Wash.) posted a top javelin throw of 191’10” while at Lynnwood High School and also competed in the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash. Michael Cardinal (Lafayette, Colo.) was the team captain at Peak to Peak High School and part of the 4x100 relay team that finished fourth in the Colorado state championships.
“While a talented javelin specialist, Dylan is a well-rounded athlete who will add a lot of success to our field events,” said Schueffner. “Michael is a relative newcomer to the sport and will be a real surprise once completely healthy.”
Keenan Clinch (Sammamish, Wash.) posted solid times for Eastlake High School in the distance events, including a personal best of 16:26 over a five-kilometer cross country course. Ryan Dennison (San Francisco, Calif.) continues the tradition of top distance runners coming from the Bay Area and St. Ignatius College Prep to Seattle University. Kelton Sears (Maple Valley, Wash.) will also help the distance program after competing in the long distance events at Tahoma High School.
“A successful two-sport athlete in high school, Keenan’s single-sport focus here should bring about great success for him and the team over the next four years,” said Steidl. “Despite being a newcomer to the sport, Ryan has already shown the potential to be a great contributor to the team. Kelton has a tremendous ‘go-after-it’ attitude, and his success in both athletics and academics is a great fit for our team.”
The Seattle University cross country and track & field program joins the rest of the athletic department in entering Year Two of the reclassification process towards NCAA Division I membership.
PERSONAL BESTS OF NEWCOMERS:
Kaytie Bateman: Long Jump - 16-9, 100 meters - 13.5 seconds, 400 meters - 61.5 seconds, 800 meters - 2:33.0, 100 meter hurdles - 16.88 seconds
Meeghan Bergmann: 100 meters - 12.60 seconds, 200 meters - 25.64 seconds, 400 meters - 57.16 seconds, 800 meters - 2:23.21
Dylan Burnett-Lewis: Javelin - 191-10, 100 meters - 11.32 seconds, 200 meters - 23.40 seconds
Michael Cardinal: High Jump - 6-2, 110 meter hurdles - 15.9 seconds
Keenan Clinch: 400 meters - 51.26, 800 meters - 1:59.16, 1600 meters - 4:32.81, Cross country 5k - 16:26
Ryan Dennison: 800 meters - 1:58.95, 1600 meters - 4:38
Lauren Hammerle: 1600 meters - 5:24, 3200 meters - 11:33, Cross country 5k - 19:15
Brittney Hovdenes: 1500 meters - 5:07.25, Steeplechase - 12:45
Amanda Luna: Long Jump - 16-11.25, Triple Jump - 36-8.25, 100 meter hurdles - 16.36 seconds
Brittany Philio: High Jump - 5-2.25
Kelton Sears: 800 meters - 1:55.94, 1600 meters - 4:22, 3200 meters - 9:46, Cross country 5k - 15:49
Jennifer Stolle: 800 meters - 2:23.8, 1500 meters - 5:02.97, 3200 meters - 12:03, Cross country 5k - 19:31