FROM STAFF REPORTS

University of Montevallo women’s cross country head coach Michael Marquardt announced the signing of three recruits for the 2011 season.

Jill Kleist, Lauren Recchia and Katie Vanover will all join the Falcons this fall as freshman.

“Jill has improved a lot over the last two years and I believe her 5k will continue to drop with hard work,” said Marquardt. “She has a great attitude and wants to improve her PRs. She will add really good depth to our program and I hope to see her fighting for a top five position on our team within the next two years. I am excited to welcome Katie and Lauren to our cross country program as well. I knew I wanted to add them to our program after I first met them. Katie and Lauren are coming from a really good program where they have had a lot of success. I know they will make an immediate impact on our program and they make us better right away. I cannot wait for both of them to get on campus in August. I am excited to see what they will accomplish at the collegiate level.”

Kleist is coming to Montevallo from Auburn High School. Kleist has been on the varsity track and cross country teams at Auburn High School for four years. Her 800 meter personal record is 2:46, 1600 meter is 6:22, and her 5k personal record is 21:49. She is an AP scholar, an officer in Spanish Honor Society and Spanish Club, a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Multicultural Club and Committee of 19 (Fight Against World Hunger).

Recchia comes from North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Ga. She helped North Gwinnett win the 5A XC state title during her junior season. She also helped her team win the Gwinnett County Cross Country Championships, win Regional Championships and place third at the state meet during her senior season. She finished fifth overall at her county meet with a 5k time of 19:14. She also made the All-County Team three years in a row. Her personal records include 19:14 for the 5k, 5:47 for the 1600, and 2:31 for the 800.

Vanover is also coming over from North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Ga. She was also a part of the team that won the Gwinnett County Cross Country Championships, won Regional Championships and placed third at the state during her senior season. She placed 12th overall at the Regional Championships with a 5k time of 19:58. She also ran a season’s best of 19:43 at the Westover Invitational. She finished her senior season with a 20:38 5k at the Georgia State Meet. Her personal records include 19:43 for 5k, 5:47 for 1600, and 12:40 for 3200.