TicketsDec. 8, 2006
- The University of Cincinnati track and field teams have signed five student-athletes during the early signing period. A pair of state champion throwers highlight the class.
shot put champion Troy Cooper of Bishop Brossart High School in is the cream of the 2006 crop. Cooper is joined by one of the top cross country runners in the state of in Kyle Lang of . Lang finished 10th at the state championships in 2006 and was 16th in 2005. The final member of the men's class is Eric Finan, another standout distance runner from the area. The product was fourth at the 2006 cross country state championships and also finished fourth in the 1600 meters at the state track and field championships last spring.
"Two distance runners and one thrower get us off to a good start in our fall recruiting," said men's head coach Bill Schnier. "All three have been very good thus far and have considerable potential to improve at UC."
Joining the women's team is a pair of products. Teammates Kristin Gilgenbach, the 2006 state champion in the discus, and Chelsea Gerken, a fourth-place finisher in the long jump at the state championships, will sport their wares for the Bearcats in the 2008 season. Gerken will compete in the heptathlon after qualifying for the state championships in the 800 meters as well as the long jump.
"We are pleased to have two athletes from join our recruiting class this fall," commented women's head coach Jim Schnur. "The new facilities and affiliation with the BIG EAST Conference has done wonders for our recruiting efforts. We have seen an increase in campus visits and the quality of student-athlete that we have been able to recruit."