Elgin, Ill.- Continuing to build for a championship program, head coach Rich Weinhandl has added Ethan Hahn and Kyle Bricka to the team for the 2008 season. Weinhandl now has three top runners signed for next season which also includes DeKalb’s Matt DeBall.

“These two runners will be a great addition to the program. They will bring a lot of talent and enthusiasm to Judson. They will both be counted on to help lead this new program,” says Weinhandl.

Hahn, coming from Lakes Community High School, is an All-Conference selection in cross country. This past season he was a sectional qualifier and had a best time of 16:16 in the three-mile run. He holds three records at LCHS in the three-mile, one-mile, and the 4x800 relay team. In track and field, he was also all-conference. On the academic side, he has been an academic All-Conference selection for both cross country and track and is a member of the National Honor Society. He was coached by Andrew Schroeder and is the son of Dawn Hahn. He will major in architecture.

Coming from Hampshire High School is Kyle Bricka. He has improved his times each year and has a best of 17:42 in the three-mile. He also participates in track and field. Outside of athletics, he takes part in the jazz band. At Judson, he would like to pursue a degree in science that will eventually lead him to be an athletic trainer. He is the son of Ruth Mather and Damien Bricka.

Judson is starting both men’s and women’s cross country back up after a 12 year absence. The program was cut after the 1996 season for both programs. The men’s team produced two Judson Athletes of the Year in Dan Westlund (1982) and Mike O’Brien (1996). Westlund was voted into the Judson Hall of Fame in 2006 for his cross country accolades. He was a four-time all-NIIC (Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference) runner and team MVP. He was also a two-time NCCAA (National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association) All-American, NAIA National Qualifier, and all-NAIA District team member. The men’s team also won three straight NIIC Championships in 1993, 1994, and 1995 along with being the NAIA District Champions in 1993.