ELGIN, IL. - Continuing to build up his team to contend for a CCAC Championship and NAIA National berth, head coach Rich Weinhandl has signed 14 new runners for the 2009 season. He has signed eight male and five female runners to compete for Judson University.
On the men's side, two of the eight are already at Judson in Andrew Woodyard and Josh Angliss. The six new runners are Dan Baker, Stephen Cooksey, Luke Kierys, Nate Nevius, Nathaniel Ray, and Josiah Smith.
The women have one runner from Judson in Eva Pflaum. The four other runners are Murphy Kurth, Shannon McNab, Kristal Pitts, Katie Rose, and Lauren Strohmaier.
"Words just don't seem to accurately express my excitement with the recruitment class for the 2009 men and women cross country teams. They are a very talented group with many having state championship experience. Several were on state championship teams and two were on runner-up teams (missed by 1 point being champions!)," quotes Weinhandl. "Several come from very successful programs that compete annually in the state meet. Several have been coached by Hall of Fame coaches. Several are having career best track seasons and several have set school records along the way. It's easy to see why I can't wait for the season to arrive and to see what these talented athletes will do for Judson University!"
Judson will be in their second year under Weinhandl in the 2009 season. Judson had one female runner qualify for both the NAIA and NCCAA National Meet in their first season of competition.
Men Signees
Weinhandl says, "We have added several runners that will help our program keep striving for the CCAC championship and NAIA national meet. We are grateful to have two runners from Palatine coming to Judson in which one is Luke Kierys. He is a state track and cross country qualifier and will bring that experience with him to Judson. We also landed Tim Ciochon's teammate from Fremont High School in Nebraska in Nate Nevius. He was 23rd at the Nebraska State Cross Country meet where Fremont was runner up by one point."
Judson Students
Andrew Woodyard - Urbandale, Iowa (Des Moines Christian School)
Des Moines Christian School: qualified for state in 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays…held three school records in track (shuttle hurdle, 4x100, 4x200)…helped with Habitat for Humanity…majoring in architecture…son of Bill and Connie Woodyard.
Josh Angliss - Dayton, Ohio (Dayton Christian H.S.)
Dayton Christian H.S.: helped team to a state championship…majoring in marketing…son of Steve Angliss and Sally Angliss.
New Signees
Dan Baker - Machesney Park, Illinois (Rockford Lutheran H.S.)
Rockford Lutheran: has won six letters (four in baseball, two in track)…participated in long jump, 400 meter and 200 meter runs…in basketball was named the best shot blocker and most improved…helped team to two regional championships and to the Sweet 16…participates in Math Team and school play…member of High Honor Roll and Renaissance…son of Dan and Mary Baker.
Stephen Cooksey - Pekin, Illinois (Pekin Community H.S.)
Pekin Community H.S.: earned one letter in cross country…was soccer manager for two years…member of the Latin Club and is a Youth for Christ student leader…son of David and Judy Cooksey… will major in architecture.
Nathaniel Ray - Arlington Heights, Illinois (Buffalo Grove H.S.)
Transfer from Harper Community College
Buffalo Grove H.S.: won letters in cross country and gymnastics…in gymnastics, finished 13th in the conference for floor exercise and seventh in all-around…participated in band, marching band, and speech team…son of Jim and Sue Ray…will major in youth ministry.
Luke Kierys - Palatine, IL (Palatine H.S.)
Palatine H.S.: five letters won in cross country and track… was the fifth man on the cross country team…helped team to four straight conference, regional, and sectional championships in cross country…team placed third at state meet in 2007 and 10th in 2008…named all-conference for a 15th place finish in cross country conference meet…in track, went to state in the 4x800 meter relay…son of Jon and Lucy Kierys… will major in business and administration.
Nate Nevius - Fremont, Nebraska (Fremont H.S.)
Fremont H.S.: has won six letters in cross country and track…named the most improved runner on team in sophomore and junior years…as a senior, medaled in every cross country race that he ran in…helped team to three straight conference and district championships…cross country team finished as state runners-up in 2008 season…finished second in the conference in track in the two mile run…also participates in intramurals and letter club…is the son of Tom and Kitty Nevivs…is undecided in his major.
Josiah Smith - Lancaster, Massachussetts (Nashoba Regional H.S.)
Nashoba Regional H.S.: earned one letter in cross country skiing…was named the most improved senior for cross country skiing…participated in track and cross country…earned the sportsmanship award for cross country skiing…team was District E class meet runners-up, twice…member of the Bible Club…received excellence in wood technology award and member of Highest Honor Roll…son of David and Susan Smith…will major in architecture.
Women Signees
"We have also added several new runners for the women's team that will push the runners we already have. These new runners will help Judson only improve on what they did last year," says Weinhandl. "I am very excited about the large number of talented athletes coming into our program's second season! Kristal Pitts, from the tradition rich Palatine HS Pirates and coached by Hall of Famer Steve Currins, is just one runner to keep your eye on next year as she runs the 800 meter in 2:24 and the 400m in 61.5."
Judson Student
Eva Stine Pflaum - Chingola, Zambia (Rift Valley Academy)
Rift Valley Academy: lettered in both field hockey and volleyball earning three in field hockey and two in volleyball…was the soccer manager…participated in drama…sister, Andrea, is a member of the Judson women's soccer team…daughter of Michael and Barbel Pflaum…is majoring in elementary education.
New Signees
Murphy Kurth - Batavia, Illinois (Batavia H.S.)
Batavia H.S.: won three letters while participating in soccer, track, and cross country…participated in Uprising, marching band, pep band, concert band, and orchestra…member of the honor roll…daughter of Scott and Sandy Kurth…will major in elementary education.
Shannon McNab - Waterford, Michigan (Waterford-Mott H.S.)
Waterford-Mott H.S.: won four letters for track and volleyball…participated in track, volleyball, diving, and cheerleading…captain of both the volleyball and track teams…earned coaches award for track…helped team to two league and county championships…team finished third in state…in cheerleading, earned OAA award and were OAA champs…team finished fourth in the Upstate…was a select 50 for the Waterford Foundation…member of the Positive Peer Influence, Hazards of Tobacco, National Honor Society, and Math Club…given the Lamp of Learning Varsity Letter…daughter of Glenn and Karen McNab…is undecided in major.
Kristal Pitts - Arlington Heights, Illinois (Palatine H.S.)
Palatine H.S.: earned varsity letters in cross country…helped team to MSL conference championship…member of the African-American club…daughter of Elizabeth Jones…will major in science.
Lauren Strohmaier - Genoa, Illinois (Genoa-Kingston H.S.)
Genoa-Kingston H.S.: won eight letters in three sports of volleyball, basketball, and track…state finalist in high jump in 2008…set two high school records in the high jump (5'2.5") and 400 meter run…named All-Area honorable mention…was a two-time captain for basketball team…two-time all-tournament for Harvard H.S. tournament…helped team to Genoa-Kingston H.S. tournament championship…averaged 10.3 points per game in senior season…was the spokesperson for the Channel 17 "Team of the Week"…captain of the volleyball team in senior season…named all-Area middle blocker honorable mention…earned all-conference scholar tri-athlete award…is in the top 25% of her class…daughter of Kent and Jeanette Strohmaier…will major in biology.
Katie Rose - Waterford, Michigan (Waterford-Mott H.S.)
Waterford-Mott H.S.: won two letters in track…helped team to the OAA Division III league championship…participates in Fellowship of Christian Athletes…Daughter of Duwane and Cindy Rose.
