JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida cross country & track and field announce the signings of seven new Osprey runners to their 2022 signing class on Tuesday afternoon.

"We have a signed a good incoming class for the women's distance area," said head coach Jeff Pigg about his newest Osprey runners. "The group is very versatile in their specific events and, as always, they fit the culture and are on board with our philosophy."

Ella Chandler

Hometown: Daytona Beach, Fla.
High School: Seabreeze HS
XC PR: 5k – 20:03
Track PR: 400m – 59.84 | 800m – 2:14

Notes: Awarded student-athlete of the month from the Lions club her senior year…help team to XC state championships in 2021…also helped lead track team to state championships in 2021…won the team MVP award her freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons…competed in weightlifting and swimming in HS as well…chose UNF because "when visiting UNF and meeting with the team for the first time, I noticed the girls treated one another like family, and right away I just knew that was something I wanted to be a part of."

Coach's Thoughts: "Ella is a great fit for UNF. We are planning to develop our 800m group and that is her specialty. She has already been very successful and I look forward to helping her excel as a middle distance runner."

Erica Fisher

Hometown: Pensacola, Fla.
Previous College: University of Tennessee at Martin
XC PR: 5k – 17:44 | 6k – 21:50.1
Track PR: 1600m – 5:00 | 3200m – 10:40

Notes: Recorded two top-12 finishes during 2021 Fall XC season…placed 15th in OVC Championship (18:56.9) during Fall 2021 season…finished third in Golden Eagle Invitational (18:44.8) during Spring 2021 season…earned All-OVC Second Team honors in 2019...made OVC Commissioner's and UTM AD's Honor Roll in 2019 and 2020…placed third in FHSAA 1600m and 3200m in high school…was named Pensacola Area Senior Runner of the Year and 2019 PNJ Athlete of the Year in HS...chose UNF "because of the great coaching staff, facilities, and marine biology program."

Coach's Thoughts: "Having Erica here in January is a bonus for this track season and it will give us a head start working together before we enter next XC season."

Cristal Gomez

Hometown: Winter Haven, Fla.
High School: Lakes Wales HS
XC PR: 5k – 18:39
Track PR: 800m – 2:19.55 | 1600m – 5:11.66 | 3200m – 11:20.94

Notes: Ran XC & track for four years and qualified for state all four years…was Polk County's Runner of the Year from 10^th-12^th grade…ran personal-best 5k time (18:39) at districts meet in 2021…chose UNF because "I love the school and campus. UNF has always been my dream school. I also chose UNF because I love the team. They are an amazing team and they made me feel so welcomed."

Coach's Thoughts: "Cristal is a hard-working young lady who I believe has a bright future. She recently ran well at the state XC meet. She has good range and it will be exciting to see her continue to develop as an student-athlete.

Lauren Jones

Hometown: Trenton, Fla.
High School: Oak Hall School
XC PR: 5k – 18:23
Track PR: 800m – 2:22 | 1600m – 5:07 | 3200m – 11:13

Notes: Placed in the top four all four years of HS at state XC championship meets…helped team win XC state championships in 2019 and 2020…won Gainesville Sun Runner of the Year in 2020 and North Central Florida Runner of the Year in 2021…placed third in 3200m at Class 1A track state championship in 2019…placed fourth in both 1600m and 3200m at Class 1A track state championship in 2021…chose UNF because "I felt an immediate bond with the girls on the team. I was able to get a good sense of closeness they share on and off the course in just a short amount of time. Coach Pigg also explained his goals and desires for the program at UNF and I knew, without question, that was the program for me. I am honored and beyond excited to be a part of UNF's running program. I look forward to the future and my growth as a runner."

Coach's Thoughts: "Lauren has already ran some very good times and it will be an excellent opportunity for us to work together. She is very determined and talented, so it will be great to have her join us next season."

Neve Moulai

Hometown: Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
High School: St. Andrews College
Track PR: 800m - 2:20 | 1500m – 4:46 | 3000m – 10:19 | 5000m – 18:02

Notes: Recorded three personal-best track times in 2020 for the 800m (2:20), the 1500m (4:46), and the 5000m (18:02)….also recorded a personal-best time in 2021 for the 3000m (10:19)…has endorsement with Merit in Level 1 and Level 3 of NCAE…played field hockey, basketball, and touch rugby in HS as well…chose UNF because "I felt the university offered limitless opportunities to not only become a better athlete, but to become a better student whilst adapting to the American university system compared to New Zealand. The people I spoke to were amazing and were a major influence in my decision. I feel like I have started my American family and they will take good care of me."

Coach's Thoughts: "Neve is coming to the US to develop as a runner. She has been very successful at home in New Zealand and we plan to continue her progression. The training group and race opportunities s should lead to some fast new PB's."

Laci Watford

Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
High School: University Christian School
XC PR: 5k – 18:28.57
Track PR: 800m – 2:19.82 | 1600m – 5:12.91 | 3200m – 11:13.70

Notes: Placed in the top two of district XC meet and top three of regional XC meet all four years of HS…had top-10 finishes at state meet all four years…three-time All-First Coast XC First-Team selection…2020 & 2021 HS Sports Award Greater Jax Honoree…placed top 20 in XC Junior Olympic National Championship through first three years of HS…placed second in FACA Senior XC All-Star Classic her senior year…placed first in 1600m and 3200m for track at both districts and regionals her junior year…placed in top eight at state track meet for both the 1600m and 3200m races…chose UNF "due to its degree programs, athletics, and atmosphere. I attended a weekend visit to the school and fell in love with the team members, coaches, and the campus. I loved the overall team and school spirt and look forward to being a part of the Osprey family."

Coach's Thoughts: "Laci is a very good fit here at UNF. She is an excellent student and she has very good range as an athlete. I think she can help us both in cross country and in middle distance on the track."

Jada Williams

Hometown: Palm Coast, Fla.
High School: Flagler Palm Coast HS
XC PR: 5k - 18:46
Track PR: 800m – 2:25 | 1600m – 5:09 | 3200m – 11:16

Notes: Won most outstanding freshman honor, most valuable runner, FPC Athlete of the Year, and first-team XC All-Area in 2018…received most valuable runner, first-team XC All-Area, and Player of the Year in 2019…earned first-team XC All-Area and was a state of Florida honoree for the 2020-21 USA Today HS Sports Awards in 2020…placed sixth at 4A state XC championship in 2021…also won outstanding distance track performer in 2019 and first-team All-Area for track in 2021…played soccer in HS as well…chose UNF because they "have a beautiful campus that's close to home. The team atmosphere is great, amazing coaching staff, and is a place where I can push myself. This is somewhere I can picture myself being for the next few years."

Coach's Thoughts: "Jada is a multi-sport athlete. Her range is excellent. She was a good soccer player in high school and now, with her focus solely on running, I think she will continue to progress. She is an excellent fit with our program."