Seattle University head cross country and track and field coach Trisha Steidl announced that Joe Charbonneau of Bellingham, Wash., signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Seattle U and join the Redhawk program starting in the 2013-14 academic year.
Charbonneau has been steadily improving as a distance runner at Bellingham High School, especially in cross country. After finishing 81st at the state championships in 2010 and not qualifying for the state meet in 2011, he crossed the finish line in fifth place at last fall's state championships with a time of 15:40, helping his team to a second-place finish.
On the track, Charbonneau has posted personal-best times of 4:21 in the 1600 meter run and 9:28 in the 3200 meter run. Steidl feels that Charbonneau has the ability to post faster times during his senior season as he continues to focus on his training.
"Joe is the best distance runner I've ever signed. That is a tribute to all the guys who have come before him who have set the stage for our program to be in the place it is and where it's headed. On top of Joe's athletic accomplishments, he's also a great all-around guy," said Steidl. "What he's going to bring to our program both athletically and as an individual is tremendous. His work ethic, determination, and desire to be the best he can be as well as helping his teammates be their best is going to take him far and is exactly the direction our program is heading. I am thrilled to have him join our family and to have the privilege of working with him over the next few years."
The Seattle University men's cross country team finished third at the 2012 Western Athletic Conference Championships, the third time in four years the team earned a top three finish at a conference meet. The indoor track and field team is preparing for the WAC Championships Feb. 21-23 in Albuquerque, N.M.