(Click here for the Women's Cross Country ONLYrelease)
DAYTON, Ohio – University of Dayton track and field head coach Jason Francis has announced his 2012 recruiting class. The Flyers will welcome Olivia Albers, Lauren Greenlee, Jordan Hoffman, Mickey Ludlow, Bridget McElhenny, Maria Murphy, Sydney Riethman and Paige Yaeger to the squad for the 2012-2013 season. Albers, Greenlee, Ludlow and McElhenny will also compete on the cross country squad.
“This was a great recruiting class for us. We were able to address our program's needs while at the same time bring in ladies who will have an immediate impact on our program,” University of Dayton track and field head coach Jason Francis said. “This class has many athletic achievements, but more importantly have an equal number of academic achievements.”
Albers joins the squad after attending Alter High School. In 2011, Albers anchored the 4x800 meter station champion team which set an OHSAA Div. II State Record as well as a school record. Albers is a state-qualifier in cross country, finishing fifth overall at the OHSAA Div. II State Championships in 2011 after running a PR time of 18:31. Albers is a four-year honor student at Alter, three-time team MVP for the Alter Knights, and she also has been recognized with GGCL First Team recognition and All-Ohio First Team honors.
“Olivia is a tremendous athlete and has the potential to be a great distance runner for us over her career. She will come in and have an instant impact on our program. We were excited to keep this Dayton native close to home,” Francis said.
Greenlee joins UD after graduating from Brecksville Broadview Heights High School in the greater Cleveland area. Greenlee owns a number of Brecksville Broadview Heights records including shares of the 4x800 meters, 4x1600 meters and the distance medley relay. Greenlee is a member of Brecksville Broadview Heights High School’s National Honor Society.
“Lauren is a strong distance runner and will help to bolster our young group of distance ladies. She has had a successful high school career and we are planning on having her transition that success over her college career,” Francis said.
Hoffman is a two-time finalist in the indoor state finals in the 60 meter hurdles and the 4x200. She has regional appearances in all four years at Westerville Central and holds the school’s record in the 300 meter hurdles. Hoffman is a two-time conference champion with wins in the 4x200 and the 300 meter hurdles. In addition, she is a seven-time scholar athlete and was named Central’s Most Valuable Sprinter during her senior campaign. Hoffman is a two-time all-district selection and a four-time all-conference selection. She also lettered in cross country. She is a member of the National Honor Society.
"Jordan add more depth to our 4x400 meter relay pool and fill out our 400 meter hurdle squad. She had a strong end to her season in the 300 meter hurdles and has yet to reach her potential."
Jackson, Mich. distance runner Mackenzie Ludlow joins Dayton after graduating from Lumen Christi High School. Ludlow is a cross-country standout earning all-conference, all-area, all-region and all-state distinctions. Ludlow is a three-time all-region selection in the 3200 meter run, the 3200 meter relay and a two time all-region and all-state selection in the 3200 meter relay. Ludlow is also an all-region and all-state honoree in the 1,600 meter run. She is a member of Lumen Christi’s National Honor Society and was a student-council representative.
“We were happy when Mickey committed with us, she has a lot of potential and I am excited to start working with her in the fall,” Francis said.
McElhenny is a graduate of Mason High School in Mason, Ohio. McElhenny was selected to the Academic All-Ohio squad for cross country. In 2011, she helped the 3200 meter relay team earn a state championship. This season, she helped shatter the Comets’ school record in the 4x1600 meter relay.
“Bridget is a complete distance runner who comes from a good program in Mason High School. She will come in and compete for a spot in our top seven in cross country as a freshman,” Francis said.
Murphy is a thrower from Bryant, Ind. graduating from Jay County High School, she is a multi-sport standout. She has won back-to-back IHSAA Sectional Championships in the discus and the shot put in 2011 and 2012. Murphy was also the 2011 IHSAA Ben Davis Regional Champion in the discus. Murphy is also heavily involved with a number of extra-curricular activities including Key Club, student council, German club, FFA, 4H and the National Honor Society. She ranks first in her class out of 257.
“We are excited about Maria’s athleticism, she was a three sport standout in high school and has all of the tools to become a successful thrower. Maria will help to add more depth and youth to our throwing squad,” Francis said.
Long jumper and sprinter Sydney Riethman is a graduate of Van Wert High School. She holds records in five events, including the 200 meter dash, long jump, 4x100 meter relay, 4x200 meter relay and the 4x400 meter relay. Riethman was the regional long jump champion in 2011. During her junior campaign, she finished third overall at the OHSAA State Championships. Riethman is a four-year letterman. Riethman has earned Academic All-Ohio honors and is an 11-time Scholar-Athlete Award recipient. Riethman is a member of the Beta Club and a High School student mentor. She was also a Girls State delegate.
“Sydney will come in and have an immediate impact in the conference in the long jump. She has untapped potential and the ability to develop into a triple jumper as well. Sydney has added some depth in the horizontal jumps which the program has not had,” Francis said.
Yaeger, a graduate of Solon High School, is a four-year letterman and holds four school records including the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and sprint medley relay. She was an All-Ohio selection in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and was Solon High School’s MVP in 2010 and 2011. Yaeger is a three-time qualifier for the OHSAA State Championships in a number of events including the 4x100 and the hurdles. At the 2012 indoor championship she was part of the 4x200 team that took first place and the 4x400 that earned second.
Yaeger is a four-time honor roll recipient. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.
“Paige is an outstanding young lady who comes from one of the state’s top programs in Solon High School. She will have an immediate impact for us at the conference and regional levels in the 400m hurdles. Her range of events from the 100m to the 400m will be a great asset to our program,” Francis said.
The Flyers finished second in the 2012 Indoor Track and Field season and fourth during the outdoor season under first year head coach Jason Francis.
