April 7, 2008

DAYTON, Ohio -  Head track and field coach Adam Steinwachs announced the addition of four new recruits to the roster for the 2008-2009 season on Monday. The new class includes Elissa Mason, Rachel Weber, Courtney Siebenaller, and Kelly Johnston who have each signed National Letters of Intent and will join the team next fall.

"This year's recruiting class will make an immediate impact for UD, especially in the Atlantic 10 Championships, " said head coach Steinwachs. "The addition of these student-athetes will certainly push the program to new levels of success."

Elissa Mason will join Dayton's team as a graduate from Roncalli High School. The Greenwood, Indiana native is a four sport athlete at her high school where she competes in cross country, track, swimming, and diving. Mason is the school record holder in the 5k, 3200 meter, and the 4x800 meter. Among her many athletic accolades, in cross country she was named all state and all semi-state in her junior and senior seasons, while garnering all regional, all sectional and All Marion County honors during her sophomore through senior years. In track, she was a regional qualifer in the 4x800 meter relay and the 1600 meter and in her junior season was the 3200 meter sectional champion. She is also an honor roll student at Roncalli. Mason will compete in the middle distance events for UD.

A six-time state qualifier, Rachel Weber hails from Mason, Ohio. Weber will race in the 400 meter and relay events as a member of Dayton's squad. The Mason high school student is a 2005 and 2006 Fort Ancient Valley Conference First Team Selection and a 2006 and 2007 Second Team choice. She was named to the Cincinnati Enquirer All-City Team in 2006 and was also a Taco Bell Athlete of the Week. She currently holds the school record in the 400 meter at 57.75. Academically, Weber boasts a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Courtney Siebenaller competes in both the pole vault and hurdles for Whitmer High School. She is also on the volleyball and cheerleading teams. At Whitmer, Siebenaller has been named the track team MVP for three-straight years. She was named all city, all district and all regional 2005-2007 and was all state in 2006 and 2007. At one time she was the owner of the indoor state record in the pole vault at 12-00.00. In addition, the Toledo, Ohio resident is a scholar athlete as she sits 19th in her class of 500 and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Kelly Johnston is a two-time Cincinnati Enquirer All-City selection. The St. Ursuala Academy student was also a member of the 2007 all state team in the 800 meter and 4x800 meter relay. She is currently the school record holder in the 400 meter and 800 meter at St. Ursula where she is also a member of the National Honor Society.

After a week off, Dayton's track and field team returns to action this weekend on the campus of Miami University. The Flyers will compete in the Miami Team Challenge in Oxford, Ohio Friday, April 11 - Saturday, April 12. Results can be found proceeding the event at www.DaytonFlyers.com.