2008 UGF Cross Country & Track: Recent Recruit Signings

Jeremy Anderson, Chimacum High School, Chimacum, Washington

Washington native added to the men’s cross-country and track team for the fall

GREAT FALLS, MT (Monday, April 28, 2008) — The University of Great Falls men’s cross-country and track team has announced the signing of a student-athlete from Chimacum, Washington to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Jeremy Anderson will be joining the University of Great Falls from Chimacum High School in Chimacum, Washington. Although his high school didn’t have a cross-country team, he was able to run for nearby Port Townsend High School. He was voted Most Inspirational in both cross-country and track. Jeremy finished 54th overall (out of 158 runners) at the 31st Annual Salt Creek Cross-Country 5K Invitational this past fall with a time of 16:53. At the 2-A Washington cross-country State Championships in 2007, he qualified and finished 67th overall (out of 144 competitors).

At a spring track meet hosted by Washington High School in Tacoma, Washington, Anderson finished first overall for the Chimacum Cowboys in the 1,600 meters.

The newest runner for the Argo cross-country and track team has excelled in the classroom by maintaining a 3.10 cumulative GPA and has been on the honor roll throughout his high school career. During high school he earned a few awards including Student of the Month, a School Pride Award and a Scholastic Athletic Award.

Some of his favorite hobbies include snowboarding, wakeboarding, and riding dirt bikes.

Although he remains undecided on a college major, he is interested in math and science.

"Jeremy is very hard working and self-motivated. His 1-A high school in Chimacum, Washington didn’t have a cross-country program but that didn’t stop him from competing. He ran up a division for near-by Port Townsend High School and did very well. Jeremy also organized and put on a 5K fun-run for his community as a senior project. We’re excited to welcome him to our Argo running family,” said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Shane Donaldson, Thompson Falls High School, Thompson Falls, Montana

Thompson Falls student-athlete to run for the Argos this fall

GREAT FALLS, MT (Thursday, April 3, 2008) — The University of Great Falls men’s cross-country and track team has announced the signing of a student-athlete from Thompson Falls, Montana to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Shane Donaldson will be joining the University of Great Falls from Thompson Falls High School in Thompson Falls, Montana. He has earned cross-country All-State honors for the Blue Hawks all four years of high school. In 2006, Shane placed second at the Montana Class B State Championship Meet with a time of 15:57 and he also placed second at the State Cross-Country Meet in 2007 with a time of 16:44. He was the top runner for his cross-country team that won the state meet in 2007. This past fall, Shane also participated in the prestigious Mountain West Classic Cross-Country Invitational in Missoula, Montana and finished in 10th overall with a time of 15:45. Furthermore, Donaldson has been a three-time state qualifier on the Blue Hawks track and field team.

The Thompson Falls runner has excelled in the classroom by maintaining a 3.89 cumulative GPA and was named to the All-State Academic Team the past four years for cross-country and three years for track.

He is also involved in the National Honor Society and is a member of the student council and the Science Olympiad team at Thompson Falls High School.

Shane plans on majoring in Education with an emphasis in Mathematics while attending the University of Great Falls in the fall. He is the son of Bruce and Laura Donaldson.

"Shane is the kind of student-athlete that every coach would love to build a program around. He is an excellent student and a very focused runner with a lot of talent. A member of the Thompson Falls community described him as a mental bulldog. He has finished second in the state cross-country meet the past two years and he’s run impressive times of 27:32 in the 8K at the Montana Cup and 1:22 in the half-marathon distance at the Missoula Marathon. We’re excited to welcome him to our program and our university," said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Mark Hardin , Meridian High School, Bellingham, Washington

Argo men sign another student-athlete to run for the Cross-Country and Track team

GREAT FALLS, MT (Tuesday, April 1, 2008) — The University of Great Falls men’s cross-country and track team has announced the signing of a student-athlete from Bellingham, Washington to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Mark Hardin will be joining the University of Great Falls from Meridian High School in Bellingham, Washington. He has been a varsity letterman cross-country and track runner for the Trojans for all four years of high school. In October 2006, Mark placed 15th at the Westside Classic District Championship Meet. A month later in Pasco, Washington, his team placed 7th overall in the Washington State A Cross-Country Championships. Mark was named team captain of the Trojan cross-country team his senior season. During the spring of 2007, he qualified for the State A Track Championships as a member of the 4 X 400 meter relay team running a 52 second split.

Mark has excelled in the classroom by maintaining a 3.56 cumulative GPA and was on the Honor Roll throughout his entire high school career. He is also involved in the National Honor Society. In his spare time, the Meridian High senior enjoys skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and traveling.

Mark plans on majoring in Elementary Education while attending the University of Great Falls in the fall. He is the son of Chris and Mary Hardin.

"Mark will be a great addition to our school and our running program. He’s an outstanding student-athlete that came highly recommended to us by his head coach at Meridian High School, Mike Holz. He’s from a small school and he wants to be a teacher, so we’re confident he has made a really good choice academically. He also has competitive times, a great work ethic, and a desire to run in college so we know he will make a positive impact on our team," said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Daniel Lantz , Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens, Washington

Argos add another student-athlete to their cross-country and track program

GREAT FALLS, MT (Friday, March 14, 2008) — The University of Great Falls men’s cross-country and track team has announced the signing of a student-athlete from Lake Stevens, Washington to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Daniel Lantz will be joining the University of Great Falls in the fall of 2008 from Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. During his senior year in 2007, he was the co-captain for the Viking cross-country team. Lantz is a three-time Washington State Cross-Country Championship qualifier and he was a 4A Wesco North District Qualifier in track for the 800 meters and the 1,600 meters during his junior and senior years.

Daniel’s personal records include running the 400 meters in a time of 53.0 seconds, the 1,600 meters in 4:27, and the 800 meters in 2:00. His 5K cross-country personal record is 16:52.

“I am really looking forward to competing and helping build the running program at UGF,” said Daniel Lantz, the newest member of the Argo cross-country and track team.

The Washington senior currently has a cumulative grade point average of 3.84 and he is a Purple and Gold Scholar Award winner. Although he is not positive on what he will major in at the University of Great Falls, he is interested in Math, Science and Computer Science. He is the son of Steve and Jenine Lantz.

"Daniel comes from a strong cross-country program under the coaching of Cliff Chaffee. We look forward to the work ethic, strong character, and tenacity Daniel will bring to our team. He’s not only a talented distance runner but an excellent student in the classroom," said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Andrew Makela, Mount Baker High School, Acme, Washington

Acme, Washington runner commits to the Argos Cross-Country and Track Team

GREAT FALLS, MT (Wednesday, March 12, 2008) — The University of Great Falls men’s cross-country and track team has announced the signing of a student-athlete from Acme, Washington to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Andrew Makela will be joining the University of Great Falls from Mount Baker High School in Acme, Washington. During his senior season, Andrew was his team’s cross-country letter club representative for the Mountaineers. At the North West Conference Cross-Country Championships that took place in Anacortes, Washington, he finished in 79th place overall. The newest cross-country recruit finished third overall on his team at the South Whidbey Cross-Country Invitational in Langley, Washington in September. He also participated on the varsity track team during his junior and senior seasons. He is a middle distance runner that specializes in the 800 and 1,600 meter events.

Andrew has also been active in his community and at his high school. Andrew was a member of the Jazz Band throughout his high school career and a Marching Band member for the past three years. He has been actively involved in Boy Scouts for 12 years. The Washington prep star also served as President and Vice-President in his youth group. In his spare time, Andrew likes to go camping, fishing, canoeing, hiking and enjoys taking pictures.

The Washington senior plans on majoring in Criminal Justice when he comes to the University of Great Falls in the fall. He is the son of Wayne and Lisa Makela.

"We think Andrew will be an excellent addition to our university and our team. He has a great work ethic and a love for running and the outdoors. His career goal is to be a member of the Border Patrol so his degree in Criminal Justice will be great preparation. He is also looking forward to continuing his running career at the collegiate level," said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Stephen Burns, Shelton High School, Shelton, Washington

Washington runner signs letter-of-intent to join the Argos Cross-Country and Track Team

GREAT FALLS, MT (Wednesday, February 27, 2008) — The University of Great Falls men’s cross-country and track team has announced the signing of a student-athlete from Shelton, Washington to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Stephen Burns will be joining the University of Great Falls from Shelton High School in Shelton, Washington. The Washington prep star participated in both cross-country and track. In 2007, he earned the Coach’s Award for the High Climbers Track and Field team.

Burns’ personal records include running the 400 meters in a time of 56.8 seconds, 3,000 meter steeple chase in 11:38.59 and throwing the javelin 145 feet, 4 inches.

“It is safe to say that Stephen has been the hardest worker that I have coached in cross-country and track & field over the last four years. He works very hard and has improved every year that he has run. He also works equally hard in the classroom and is a great student. I am hoping to focus him more on his running this track season and see him get even better times,” said his senior English teacher and current high school cross-country and track coach Daryl White.

The Washington senior has been on the honor roll all four years of high school and has a cumulative grade point average of 3.40. Stephen plans on majoring in criminal justice when he comes to the University of Great Falls in the fall. In 2006 and 2007, he earned All-Academic Honors in the Western Cascade Conference.

"We are very excited to welcome Stephen to our program and our university. He is an excellent student and a competitive athlete. He brings a lot of versatility with his ability to run everything from the 400 meters to the 3,200 meters in track as well as his experience training for and running a marathon this winter in Huntington Beach, California. He loves to run and has a desire to improve," said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Shantell McLinden, Libby High School, Libby, Montana

Libby High’s McLinden signs with Lady Argo Cross-Country and Track Team

GREAT FALLS, MT (Monday, February 25, 2008) — The University of Great Falls women’s cross-country team has announced the signing of female student-athlete from Libby, Montana to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Shantell McLinden will be joining the University of Great Falls from Libby High School in Libby, Montana where she participated in both cross-country and track for the Loggers.  Shantell is a two-year letterman in cross-country and a four-year letterman in track.

She has won several athletic awards throughout her high school career including being named her team’s cross-country MVP in both her junior and senior years. As a junior, she was chosen as the “Gatorade Athlete of the Year” and in her senior season, she was also voted as “Most Inspirational” by her teammates in cross-country.

The recruit from Libby has many personal records including running the 800 meters in a time of 2:32, 400 meters in 1:03 and the 5K with a time of 21:54. She finished 20th at the Northwestern A Divisional Cross-Country Championship and finished 32nd at the Montana State Cross-Country Championships as a junior.

“I am excited to come from a small school like Libby and be a part of a scoring team. My goal is to be a contributing member and to get my 5K time down into the 19:00 minute range and then the 18:00 minute range,” said McLinden.

The Libby senior has been on the honor roll all four years of high school and has been the editor of the school yearbook for the past two years. Shantell plans on majoring in psychology when she enrolls at the University of Great Falls in the fall.

"Shantell has only run cross-country for two seasons so she has a lot of potential to improve in college. It doesn’t surprise me that she was voted most inspirational by her teammates in high school because she has a great personality and an upbeat attitude. We are delighted to welcome her to our UGF cross-country and track teams," said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Andrew Letho, White River High School, Carbonado, Washington

Third male runner added to the Argo cross-country and track team for this fall

GREAT FALLS, MT (Wednesday, February 20, 2008) — The University of Great Falls men’s cross-country team has announced the signing of their third male student-athlete from Carbonado, Washington to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Andrew Letho will be joining the University of Great Falls from White River High School in Carbonado, Washington. He is a two-year letterman in cross-country and track and a four-year letterman on the wrestling team for the White River High School Hornets. During the West Central District Cross-Country Championships in his senior year, Letho ran a personal record with a time of 17:57 and finished 72nd overall. His personal record in the 800 meters for track is 2:05.

Andrew’s favorite hobby is photography and he is currently the assistant editor of his high school yearbook.

“Being that I love photography, one of my highlights during my recruiting visit to the University of Great Falls was a beautiful sunrise outside the dorms. I’m looking forward to being a part of the team and this school. My goal for the 8K in cross-country for my first collegiate season is to run under 28:00,” said UGF’s newest cross-country and track signee Andrew Letho.

He plans on majoring in business and getting a minor in art when he enrolls at the University of Great Falls in the fall.

"Andrew fit in really well with the athletes on our team during his recruiting visit over homecoming weekend. We are confident that he will be a positive influence, a hard worker, and a great addition to our team! He set a good goal for himself as a freshman. He wants to make the top 7 for our men’s team in the fall," said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Kaneesha Benson, Ronan High School, Ronan, Montana

Ronan runner is set to join the UGF Cross Country & Track team

GREAT FALLS, MT (Tuesday, February 19, 2008) — The University of Great Falls women’s cross-country team has announced the signing of a student-athlete from Ronan, Montana to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Kaneesha Benson comes to the University of Great Falls from Ronan High School in Ronan, Montana. During her senior season, she qualified and took home 39th overall out of 142 athletes with a time of 21:13 at the 44th Annual Montana State Cross-Country Championships that took place in Helena, Montana earlier this year. Some of her personal records for cross-country include running the three miles in 19:59 and her personal records for track include 5:34 in the 1,600 meters and 12:19 for the 3,200 meters.

Benson has made the All-Conference Cross-Country Team for three years and she also excels in the classroom. She was named to both the Academic All-State Team for Track and the Academic All-Conference Team for Cross-Country.

Some of her extra-curricular activities include being a Teen Ambassador and Peer Mediator for two years, volunteering with Big Brothers & Big Sisters for four years, a 4-H member for eight years and she was selected to sing and travel with the Show Choir for three years. Benson’s hobbies include running, singing, hunting, fishing, riding horses, reading, and riding her bike.

She plans on studying biology and nursing when she enrolls at the University of Great Falls in the fall.

"Kaneesha will bring a great work ethic, positive attitude, and well-rounded background to our team and to our university. We love recruiting athletes from Montana who not only run fast but who also grew up enjoying pastimes such as hunting, fishing, and riding horses. We are absolutely thrilled to have Kaneesha join our Argo cross-country and track teams," said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Akeem Wynn, Oakland Technical High School, Oakland, California

Argo Cross Country team signs third runner from Oakland Technical High School

GREAT FALLS, MT (Wednesday, February 13, 2008) — The University of Great Falls men’s cross-country team is proud to announce the signing of their third student-athlete from Oakland, California to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Akeem Wynn is from Oakland Technical High School in Oakland, California. During his junior year in track, he won the 300 meter hurdles at the Oakland Athletic League Championships. He excels at both track and cross-country and finished 7th overall in the Oakland Finals for cross-country and qualified for the California State Meet in his senior season. Akeem also ran a 49.5 second split for his team’s third place 4x400 meter relay in the Oakland All-City Meet.

Another accomplishment for the new Argo recruit is that he has qualified for the 2007 Summer U.S. Track & Field Junior Olympic Championships He also won two team awards this season including Team MVP and the Noah Hinkston New Comer of the Year in cross-country. Some of his personal records include running the 300 meter hurdles in 40.51 seconds, 400 meters in 51.20, the 800 meters in 1:56.9 and the 1600 meters in 4:30.69. His personal record in cross-country for 3 miles is 16:20. 

His goal for this senior year in track is to beat his high school coach’s (Noah Hinkston’s) school records in the 800 meters, 1600 meters, and 1000 meters!

While attending the University of Great Falls, he plans on studying Health & Physical Education.

"I expect Akeem to make a significant impact on our men’s team next year. His work ethic and versatility will be great additions. He has competitive times in events from the 100 meters all the way up to three miles. With his athleticism and experience in the hurdle events, he also has the potential to make a great steeple chase runner in college. We’re excited to have him join his teammates, Jamesa and Tiffani from OaklandTechnical High School here at the University of Great Falls next fall," said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Tiffani Phillips, Oakland Technical High School, Oakland, California

Jamesa Wheeler, Oakland Technical High School, Oakland, California

UGF Cross Country signs runner from Oakland, California

GREAT FALLS, MT (Wednesday, February 6, 2008) — The University of Great Falls women’s cross-country team is proud to announce the signing of a student-athlete from California to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Jamesa Wheeler is from Oakland Technical High School in Oakland, California. She captured second place in the Oakland City Championships in the 800 meters in 2007. For two straight years, Jamesa was awarded All City Honors in the 800 meters. The California runner also ran a personal best in the 800 meters with a time of 2:34 in 2007 and so far in 2008 her best time in the 400 meters has been 1:06. In 2005, her high school cross country coach Noah Hinkston presented her with the “Most Improved” award.

Jamesa has been actively involved in the Girls Advocacy Program in Oakland where she mentors and works with middle school girls and she was recommended and honored by one of her high school teachers to participate in a summer internship for students that are interested in the health field at the Center for Health Care Development. While attending the University of Great Falls, she plans on majoring in a health-related or medical-related field.

"We’re delighted to have Jamesa join our program. She demonstrates great resolve and a great attitude that all distance runners need to be successful. She is actually a relatively “young” runner having only started cross-country and track in her sophomore year of high school. Despite her newness to the sport, she has already made great strides as a runner and we look for her to continue to improve throughout college," said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Cullen Cantwell, Everett Community College, Everett, WA

(Lakewood High School, Lakewood, Washington)

UGF Cross Country & Track adds transfer from Everett Community College to men’s team

GREAT FALLS, MT (Monday, January 7, 2008) — The University of Great Falls cross country and track team is proud toannounce the signing of a male athlete from Washington to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Cullen Cantwell will be joining the Argo cross country and track team next fall. He is transferring fromEverett Community College in Everett, Washington where he was a team captain in 2006 and 2007. He was a member of the Trojan’s cross country team that won the Northern Regional Championships for Community Colleges in Bellingham, Washington this past fall.

Cantwell attended Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Washington where he was also a team captain.

Some of his personal running records include running the 5-kilometer (5K) in 16:24 and he ran the 8-kilometer (8K) at this past fall’s Willamette Invitational with a time of 27:06.

Cullen plans to major in History/Sociology while attending the University of Great Falls and he would like to help the men’s cross country team qualify for the NAIA National Cross Country Championships within two years.

"With our young men’s team, we are delighted to sign Cullen on for next year. As a community college transfer, he will add a lot of experience and leadership to our team. His former teammates consistently looked to him for leadership as they elected him team captain three different seasons. I believe Cullen has the desire, the talent and the work ethic to make a considerable contribution to our team next fall. We’re excited to welcome him to the Argo cross-country and track teams," said UGF head cross country and track coach Jim Brewer.

Jenni Hill, Corvallis High School, Corvallis, Montana

UGF Cross Country signs Corvallis runner to their program

GREAT FALLS, MT (Tuesday, December 11, 2007) — The University of Great Falls cross country team is excited to announce the signing of a female runner from Corvallis, Montana to a NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Jenni Hill, who is a senior at Corvallis High School in Corvallis, Montana, will join the Lady Argos Cross Country and Track team next fall. She has a 4.0 GPA and is the top-ranked student in her class. Jenni is the class valedictorian at Corvallis High School and has earned Academic All-State honors for cross country and track. She will be a solid addition to the University of Great Falls Cross Country and Track team in 2008.

Jenni’s personal record in the 800 meters is 2:40 and her best time in the 1,600 meters is 6:26. Earlier this year at the conference championship meet, she placed sixth in the 800 meters.

“I love running and I am excited to be a member of the UGF cross country and track team,” said UGF’s newly signed cross country athlete.

The Corvallis High senior is involved in student council, Interact Club, and AIM Higher and some of her interests include horseback riding, skiing and snowboarding.

"I am confident that Jenni will be an outstanding addition to our cross country and track team as well as the entire UGF community. She has an excellent attitude and work ethic out on the course and in the classroom," said UGF cross country and track coach Jim Brewer.