Cross Country/Track & Field Programs Announce Class Of 2023

RICHMOND, Va. -- The University of Richmond cross country and track & field teams welcome a decorated class of 13 student-athletes to campus this fall to continue their academic and athletic careers. The women's class of 10 student-athletes has a combined for 19 individual state championships to their credit and features standout performers in the sprints, jumps, hurdles, middle-distance and distance events; while the men will welcome three distance runners to their roster. The incoming class includes five Richmond-area recruits as well as others from Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

"Once again, we are pleased to welcome a talented group of athletes to our program," director of track & field and cross country Lori Taylor said. "These student-athletes cover several event areas within our track & field and cross country teams and given our large graduating class we expect many of these athletes to impact our team immediately. There is no question talent is one of the key factors in success at the NCAA level, but it will also require leadership combined with hard work and dedication on the part of these women and men in order for our teams to achieve the goals we've set. These student-athletes recognize the combination of the quality education offered and the NCAA Division I athletics opportunities and experiences offered here at Richmond. We embrace our uniqueness among schools offering NCAA Division I athletics and the amazing opportunities offered, including the Richmond Guarantee and Richmond's Promise to Virginia. There really is no place like the University of Richmond and these student-athletes were able to see how much our university has to offer."

"As a program, our goal is always to produce winning teams and individuals each and every year," men's cross country head coach Steve Taylor said. "This includes men's cross country and women's track & field and cross country All-Americans in addition to achieving success in the classroom. Each year our teams look to the Atlantic 10 Conference Championships, ECAC/IC4A Championships and the NCAA Championships as their benchmark. Specifically for our men, it's important for coaches and recruits to understand and recognize that we have year-around racing opportunities through the combination of NCAA, USATF and Collegiate Running Association events. These championship opportunities attract athletes who want the experiences Richmond offers. We believe this group of recruits realize all the benefits of attending the University of Richmond to further both their academic and athletic careers and we are excited to see where their career's lead them and our programs."

Kate Dickow Lititz, Pa. • Warwick HS Standout distance runner from Warwick HS in Pennsylvania. Enjoyed a breakout year in 2019 that included winning the 3000m at the PTFCA State Championship indoors, placing seventh at the Penn Relays 3000m, and breaking the previous Pennsylvania State Meet Record in the 3200m in her third place finish at the Outdoor State Championships. Ended her high school career with a 6^th place All-American finish at the New Balance Outdoor National Championships. Played Field Hockey during the fall. *Personal Bests:* 1600m: 4:57.62 3000m: 9:41.91 3200m: 10:20.08
	Lily Snow Richmond, Va. • Deep Run HS One of Virginia's top distance runners throughout her high school career. Won the 2018 VHSL Class 5 State Cross Country Championships after placing seventh in 2017 and sixth in 2016. Went undefeated in the 1000m, 1600m, and 3200m indoors in 2019 until the National Championships, where she finished 11^th in the Mile, running 4:53.16. Four-time individual State Champion including winning the 1000m and 1600m indoors in 2019. *Personal Bests:* Mile: 4:53.16 3200m: 10:56.76
Kate McAndrew Denville, N.J. • Morris Catholic HS Among the most decorated student-athletes in New Jersey's Non-Public B Group history, amassing 13 individual state championships during her career across six different events (400m, 400h, 800m, 1600m, 3200m, Cross Country). Went six-for-six in winning the 800m state championship indoors and outdoors in her career. Finished third in the NJ Meet of Champions 800m in 2018 and 2019 outdoors. Finished her career as an All-American after splitting 2:10 on her team's Sprint Medley Relay, bringing them to a 6^th-place finish. *Personal Bests:* 400h: 1:03.62 800m: 2:10.29 1600m: 5:01.91
	Kamryn Ross Richmond, Va. • Highland Springs Sprinter and long hurdle specialist from Richmond, Va. Placed fourth at the 2019 VHSL Class 5 State Championships in the 300m hurdles, running a PR of 44.22 Finished in the top-3 at the Region 5B Indoor & Outdoor Championships seven different times, including individual victories in the 100m and 300m hurdles in 2018. Was also part of Highland Springs relay teams throughout her career. Personal Bests: 55m: 7.26 100m: 12.19 200m: 24.54 300mh: 44.22
Anna George Montville, N.J. • Montville Twp. HS Distance runner from Montville, N.J. Bounced back after missing her junior year with injury to complete a strong senior season, highlighted by winning the NJ Group 3 State Championship in the 1600m outdoors. Qualified for the NJ Meet of Champions three times in Cross Country and five times on the track, with a best finish of 7^th in the 1600m. *Personal Bests:* 800m: 2:15.38 1600m: 4:59.54
	Gabrielle Beneducci Hampton, N.J. • North Hunterdon HS Hurdle specialist from New Jersey. Qualified for the Group 4 State Championships six times and the Meet of Champions once in the 400m hurdles. *Personal Bests:* 55mh: 8.84 400mh: 1:04.83
Morgan Crocker Richmond, Va. • Hanover HS Jump specialist from Richmond, Va. Finished her high school career strong, placing second in the Long Jump and eighth in the Triple Jump at the VHSL Class 4 State Championships. Won both the Long and Triple Jump Region B 4A Championships outdoors. Personal Bests: Long Jump: 18'1.5 Triple Jump: 37'3.75
	Jake Schindel Richmond, Va. • Deep Run HS Versatile distance runner from Richmond, VA with success from 400m up to Cross Country. Anchored his team's 4x800m relay to victory at the 2019 VHSL Outdoor Class 5 State Championship, diving across the finish line in a photo finish. Multiple-time State Championship qualifier in the 800m outdoors and 1000m indoors. Finished second at the 2019 Indoor VHSL Class 5 State Championships in the 1000m, running 2:31.99. Also placed 11^th at the 2018 State Cross Country Championships. *Personal Bests:* 400m: 51.13 800m: 1:57.08 1600m: 4:21.09 3200m: 9:40.83
Tanner Crochet Monmouth Beach, N.J. • Christian Brothers Academy Distance runner from CBA high school in New Jersey. Competed for his team at the 2018 Nike Cross National Championships and at the 2017 Meet of Champions, where his team took first place. Specialized in the 1600m and 3200m on the track, with a best finish of eighth place at the State Championships in the 1600m indoors in 2018. *Personal Bests:* 1600m: 4:29.93 3200m: 9:35.40
	Riley Fletcher East Northport, Va. • Woodberry Forest School Distance runner from Woodberry Forest School in Virginia. Placed multiple times at the Virginia Independent Schools State Championships in Cross Country and Track & Field. Had two top-4 finishes at the State Cross Country Championship, finishing third in 2016 and fourth in 2018. Notched five top-5 finishes at the Outdoor State Championships between the 1600m and 3200m. *Personal Bests:* 1600m: 4:26.39 5k XC: 16:30.50

The Spiders will also welcome middle-distance runner Kayla O'Connell (Marshfield HS, Mass.), sprinter Oona Elovaara (JR Tucker HS, Va.) and sprinter Maddie Orr (Rumson-Fair Haven HS, N.J.) to the 2019 – 2020 Track & Field teams.

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