@OspreyXCTF Signs 13

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- University of North Florida men's and women's track and field and cross country head coach Jeff Pigg announced the signing of 13 student-athletes to the Ospreys' Class of 2014.

"We're definitely excited to bring in a talented class," said Pigg. "At the Atlantic Sun Indoor Championships, over half our points were scored by freshmen so being able to bring in another talented class only makes us better. We wanted to recruit student-athletes that are good students, have good character and have the desire to be better. Coach Aaron Kindt and our staff worked hard and did a great job of getting ahold and recruiting these student-athletes."

2014 Men's Signees

Tyler Bennett – Distance
Ft. Myers, Fla./Ft. Myers High School

Personal Bests:
1600m: 4:30
3000m(i): 8:51.75
3200m: 9:25.43
XC: 14:52.00

Noteworthy: National Footlocker Finalist. 31^st at 2013 Footlocker National Championships…7^th at 2013 Footlocker South Championships…2^nd at 2013 FHSAA 3A State Cross Country Championships…2013 FHSAA 3A Region 3 Cross Country Champion…2013 FHSAA 3A District 11 Cross Country Champion…2^nd at 2012 FHSAA 3A State Cross Country Championships…2012 FHSAA 3A District 11 Champion…2012 Lee County Athletic Conference Cross Country Champion.

"We've been keeping an eye on Tyler since his junior year," said Pigg. "Tyler was a Footlocker National Finalist and was nationally recruited. We are excited to have him on the team."

Nicholas Morken – Distance
Niceville, Fla./Niceville High School

Personal Bests:
800m: 1:56.07
1600m: 4:21.82
One Mile: 4:20.70
XC(5K): 15:07.57

Noteworthy: 2013 FHSAA 3A 1600m State Champion…2013 FHSAA 3A State Qualifier 800m…2013 FHSAA 3A Region 1 1600m Champion…3^rd at 2012 FHSAA 3A State Cross Country Championships…2012 & 2011 Runner Up FHSAA 3A Region 1 Cross Country Championships.

"Nicholas is one of the better runners in the state," said Pigg. "He was the state champion in the 1600m and I think he's a great fit for our program."

Tyler Stahl – Distance
Land O' Lakes, Fla./Land O' Lakes High School

Personal Bests:
1600m: 4:24
3200m: 9:55
XC: 15:31

Noteworthy: Finish 40^th at 2013 Footlocker South Championships…3^rd at 2013 FACA All-Star Cross Country Meet…8^th at 2013 FHSAA 3A State Cross Country Championships…2^nd at 2013 3A Region 2 Cross Country Championships…7^th at 2013 FHSAA 3A State 1600m Championships…10^th at 2013 3A State 3200m Championships…2013 FHSAA 3A District 6 1600m Champion…2013 FHSAA 3A District 6 3200m Champion.

"We're glad to have Taylor on board," said Pigg. "He will definitely add depth to our to our distance teams."

Wesley Norton – Distance
Jacksonville, Fla./Stanton College Preparatory School

Personal Bests:
1600m: 4:32
XC: 15:43

Noteworthy: 12^th place finisher at 2013 FACA All-Star Cross Country Meet…13^th place at 2013 FHSAA 3A State Cross Country Championships…7^th place at 2013 FHSAA 3A Region 1 Cross Country Championships…2^nd place at 2013 3A District 3 Cross Country Championships…2013 Pre-State Individual Cross Country Champion.

"Wesley is a great student," said Pigg. "He is also hard working and determined, which is everything we looked for when we were recruiting."

Travis Nichols - Distance
Land O' Lakes, Fla./Land O' Lakes High School

Personal Bests:
3200m: 9:46
XC: 15:38.62

Noteworthy: 6^th place finisher at 2013 FACA All-Star Cross Country Meet…14^th at 2013 FHSAA 3A State Cross Country Championships…2013 FHSAA 3A Region 2 Cross Country Champion…2013 FHSAA 3A District 6 Cross Country Champion…2013 Sunshine Athletic Conference Cross Country Champion…16^th at 2013 FHSAA 3A State 3200m Championships.

"Travis was one of those guys we liked from the beginning," said Pigg. "We felt that he was a perfect fit to our program and are glad to have him."

Andrew LeBlanc - Middle Distance
Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale High School

Personal Bests:
800m: 1:54.79
1600m: 4:21.23
XC: 16:51

Noteworthy: 15^th place at 2013 FHSAA 4A State 1600m Championships…12^th place at 2013 FHSAA 4A State 800m Championships…2013 4A Region 2 1600m & 800m Champion… 2^nd at 2013 4A District 7 800m Championships…2012 4A Region 2 800m Champion…2012 4A District 7 800m Champion.

"Andrew is a great addition to our middle distance team," said Pigg. "I think that he can contribute right from the beginning for this team."

2014 Women's Signees

Kennadee Williams – Distance
Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit West High School

Personal Bests:
1600m: 5:02.85
3200m: 10:58.49
5000m(outdoor): 17:54.75
XC: 18:53

Noteworthy: 12^th place at 2013 MSHSAA Class 4 State Cross Country Championships…4^th place at 2013 MHSAA Class 4 Sectional 4 Cross Country Championships…5^th at 2013 Class 4 District Cross Country Championships…11th place at 2013 New Balance Outdoor 5000m National Championships…4^th place at MHSAA Class 4 State 1600m Championships…4^th MHSAA Class 4 State 3200m Championships…2013 Class 4 District 7 3200m Champion… 2012 Kansas City Suburban Red Conference 3200m & 1600m Champion…30^th place at 2012 Nike Midwest Regional Cross Country Championships…8^th place finisher MHSAA Class 4 State Cross Country Championships…2012 Class 4 Sectional 4 & District 7 Cross Country Champion…2012 Kansas City Red Conference Cross Country Champion.

"Kennadee looks to be a great fit for us," said Pigg. "When it came time for her to make her decision, she felt that this was the best place for her. We're excited to have her on the team."

Eden Meyer – Distance
Jacksonville, Fla./Providence High School

Personal Bests:
1600m: 5:15.1
3200m: 11:13.23
XC: 18:34

Noteworthy: 4^th place at 2013 FHSAA 1A State Cross Country Championships… 2013 & 2012 FHSAA 1A Region 1 & District 4 Cross Country Champion…9^th at 2013 & 2012 FHSAA 1A State 3200m Championships… 2013 FHSAA 1A Region 1 3200m Champion…FHSAA 1A District 4 3200m Champion…2^nd place at 2013 FHSAA 1A District 4 1600m Championships…9^th at FHSAA 1A State Cross Country Championship.

"Eden is one of the best distance runners in the state," said Pigg. "She has great character and is good in the classroom. She also liked that fact that she could be close to home which was great for us."

Olivia Pigg – Distance
Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher High School

Personal Bests:
800m: 2:22
1600m: 5:15.35
XC: 19:39
2000m Steeple: 8:07.00

Noteworthy: 4^th place at 2012 GA Class AA State 1600m Championships…2012 GA Class AA Section East 1600m Champion…2012 & 2011 GHSA Region 8-AA 1600m Champion…2011 GA Class AA State 1600m Champion…2^nd at 2011 GA Class AA State 800m Championships… Last Leg for 8^th place 4x400m relay team at 2012 GA Class AA State Championships.

"I'm thrilled to have my daughter run for us," said Pigg. "I know that she will fit well in our program because of her great character and work ethic."

Emily Stallings – Distance
Jacksonville, Fla./Providence High School

Personal Bests:
1600m: 5:09.69
3200m: 11:48.67
XC: 19:18

Noteworthy: 3^rd place at 2013 FHSAA 1A State 1600m Championships…2^nd leg for the 2^nd place 4x800 relay team at the 2013 FHSAA 1A State Championships…2^nd leg for the 2013 & 2012 1A Region 1 Champion 4x800 relay team…2^nd at 2013 FHSAA 1A Region 1 1600m…2013 FHSAA 1A District 4 1600m & 800m Champion…5^th place at 2012 1A State 1600m Championships…7^th at 2011 FHSAA 1A State 1600m Championships.

"We're definitely glad to have Emily on this team," said Pigg. "She has a lot of talent as well as great character which is why she is a great fit for the team."

Christina McKinney – Distance
Mount Dora, Fla./Mount Dora Bible School

Personal Bests:
1600m: 5:20.05
3200m: 11:22.7
XC: 18:54

Noteworthy: 11^th at 2013 FHSAA 1A State Cross Country Championships…3^rd place at 2013 FHSAA 1A Region 2 Cross Country Championships…2^nd at 2013 FHSAA 1A District 7 Cross Country Championships…2013 & 2012 Lake Sumter County Cross Country Champion…7^th at 2013 FHSAA 1A State 3200m Championships…2013 1A District 7 3200m Champion…Top 20 finish 2012 1A State Cross Country Championships.

"Christina is a great long distance runner and will add depth to the cross country team," said Pigg. "I definitely see a great future for her here."

Rachel Cazares - Mid-Distance
Tampa, Fla./Gaither High School

Personal Bests:
800m: 2:15.79

Noteworthy: 6^th place at Golden South Classic 800m…5^th place finish at 2013 FHSAA 3A 800m Championships…2^nd at 2013 FHSAA 3A Region 3 800m Championships…2013 FHSAA 3A District 9 800m Champion…2013 Hillsborough County 800m Champion…2012 & 2011 FHSAA 3A 800m State Qualifier.

"Rachel is one who can come in and contribute right away for us," said Pigg. "She's a really good half miler and middle distance runner."

Hallie Grimes - Mid-Distance
Land O' Lakes, Fla./Land O' Lakes High School

Personal Bests:
400m(O): 55.91
400m(i): 58.94

Noteworthy: 2^nd place at 2013 400m USATF Florida Association Jr. Olympic Championships…3^rd place USATF Region 4 400m Qualifier… 5^th place at 2013 Golden South Classic 400m…7^th 2013 FHSAA 3A State 400m…3-time FHSAA 3A District 6 400m Champion…2013 Sunshine Athletic Conference 400m Champion…10^th place at 2012 Golden South Class 400m…6^th place finish at 2013 FHSAA 3A State 400m Championships.

"I can see Hallie making a difference right from the start in the short to middle distance events," said Pigg. "Her times pretty much speak for herself and we're glad to have her on the team."

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