49ers Women's Cross Country Signs Five for 2006
June 20, 2006
Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte women's cross country team has signed five distance runners to National Letters of Intent, coach Brad Herbster announced Tuesday. This group is expected to bolster the 49ers women's program, which placed in the top 10 of the NCAA Southeast Region last fall.
"We're very happy with this year's class," said Herbster, who enters his fourth season at the helm of the cross country program in 2006. "We were specifically targeting certain areas we needed to improve upon. Mainly, we needed to add depth and make sure we are providing our top three runners good support with a solid group challenging for the four and five positions. We are trying to raise the total level of our talent. This class not only has runners who will contest for the top seven cross country spots immediately, but it also prepares us for the loss of future graduates."
Charlotte will lose their top performer from 2005, NCAA qualifier Cassie Ficken, but the team looks forward to the return of past all-conference performer Jane Daniels. NCAA steeplechase qualifier and past cross country all-conference runner Tsehaye Dagnachew as well as 2005 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year Aja Jackson round out the team's strong core of top runners.
Below is a breakdown of this year's class in alphabetical order:
Tricia Brown (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee High School)
Tricia joins the Charlotte Cross Country team from Cherokee High School in New Jersey, where her cross country team was third in the NJSIAA South Sectional Group IV girl's competition last fall. Cherokee finished 12th at the state level.
"Tricia will help add depth to our roster in cross country, and will also contribute on the track. We look forward to having Tricia become part of our university," said distance coach Brad Herbster.
Jinnie Edwards (Charlotte, N.C./South Mecklenburg High School)
Jinnie won the 4A Western Regional 800, and the Southwestern 1600 and 800 conference titles. She placed sixth in the fast heat of the 800m at the North Carolina 4A state meet.
"Jinnie has a very strong competitive nature," said Herbster. "I saw her race for the first time last fall and was impressed with her ability to compete beyond her fitness. Provided Jinnie has a solid summer of training, she will be able to challenge for a top 7 spot in cross country and will help add depth to our indoor and outdoor track seasons."
Noelle Horelik (Lowell, Mass./Lowell High School)
Horelik has a personal-best time of 5:14 in the 1,600-meter run. She was 11th as a senior at the outdoor state championships, and fifth at the Eastern Mass Division 1 championship. She also had the eighth-fastest indoor mile time in the state.
"Noelle is very talented and has the drive and determination to excel at that next level," says Herbster. "When Noelle visited the campus we were impressed with her focus on academics and athletics. Noelle will join the Charlotte program after dropping her 1,600 time by 10 seconds within a year. She should be able to challenge for a top 5 spot this first year on the cross country roster and will contribute in the middle distance and distance events in track.."
Justine Thompson (Cary, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons High School)
Justine leaves a high school team that was ranked in the top 5 in the Southeast region according to the Nike Team Nationals poll. Justine placed 12th at the WNC cross country meet and placed fourth on the team. She continued to contribute as the team went on to win the North Carolina 2A state title.
"Justine has so much potential to come in and contribute to the team. Justine has a great attitude toward the sport and should find herself in the top 7 this fall," stated Herbster.
Lindsay Warfield (Woodbine, Md./South Carroll High School)
Lindsay was named to the All-Carroll County All-Star Team in cross country, Indoor and Outdoor track, with the teams complied by the Baltimore Sun. She was also an all Monocacy Valley Athletic League selection.
"Lindsay is capable of racing into the top 7 this fall, provided she really works hard this summer and is consistent in her training. We are very excited to have Lindsay become part of the 49er team."
2006 Charlotte Women's Cross Country Signees
Tricia Brown, Fr., Marlton, N.J./Cherokee
Jinnie Edwards, Fr., Charlotte, N.C./South Mecklenburg
Noelle Horelik, Fr., Lowell, Mass./Lowell
Justine Thompson, Fr., Cary, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons
Lindsay Warfield, Fr., Woodbine, Md./South Carroll
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