They’ve set the standard of work ethic, classroom representation, and team pride.  Our small girls’ team had the highest GPA of all athletic teams and their 3rd place conference placing was a great feat for them,” said Head Coach Jose Larios.  “These new recruits will be expected to follow the lead of this year’s team.  They will add much desperately needed depth, and experience to our team as well.”

The current 2008 Lady Cavalier recruits are led by two-time 1A state Track & Field 3200m champion, Elisabeth Elliot.  Elliot comes to Montreat out of Polk County High School where she led her Lady Wolverines in the 2008 cross country season, before deciding to take a break from competing in track in efforts of logging the miles she will need to impact the Lady Cavs in her freshman campaign

“Elisabeth brings great experience and a solid history of success at the high school level.  We are excited to see her continue to flourish at Montreat,” added Larios, “She’s really fun to be around and will contribute much leadership as well.”

Also joining the cross country team with great high school success is Lindsay Mizok.  Mizok hails from Weddington High School where she was a multiple state cross country qualifier.  Mizok will also contribute to the Lady Cavalier basketball team in the spring.

“We’re super excited about Lindsay.  She’s an all-round student-athlete, excelling in running, basketball, and art.  I believe she can be an immediate impact at the conference level as a freshman.”

Homeschooler Sara Lima (Pembroke Pines, FL) will bring much needed speed to the Lady Cavaliers.  Lima qualified this year for the Florida 1A State Championships in the 800m.  She’s also seen great improvements this year in the 1600m.

“Sara brings great enthusiasm to our program.  She has the exuberance to continue to develop.  She too will be a two-sport athlete, splitting time between soccer and being a mid-distance runner,” added Larios, “I think she may have a great level of range, as she’s demonstrated with her soccer background and personal bests in the 1600m this year.”

Kayla Suitor also joins the Lady Cavalier distance programs from nearby McDowell High School where she ran under Coach Amy Harter.

“I think Kayla has great potential at the collegiate level.  She was plagued with sickness this year in cross and track.  I think with a consistent training regimen, she will add much depth to our program.  She has such a positive vibe… I think she will add so much to our team,” bragged Larios.

On the men’s side, the 2008 recruits are led by Catawba College transfer Andrew Hege.  Hege will enter the 2008 season as a sophomore.    

“I’m expecting tremendous leadership from Andrew, both athletically and spiritually.  I think he will grow exponentially here at Montreat.  He has such a desire to succeed and contribute… I think he will make a great statement in the AAC,” said Larios. 

Freshman-to-be Will Musto, from Chattanooga Christian High School, will also add great leadership and depth to the Cavalier distance program.  Musto sat out during this year’s cross country season in order to focus primarily on his academics, though he was a sectional qualifier in the 1600m; a foot injury kept Musto from properly preparing for the latter part of the season, Coach Larios believes however that his potential is far greater than what he’s accomplished.

“Will is a ball of energy.  When I look for recruits, I look for student-athletes that have a strong desire to continue to develop, and his desire is second to none.  He wants to contribute and help us be a contender in the AAC.  I’m really excited about this young man,” said Coach Larios. “Another thing I really like about Musto is his eagerness to add to a team-centered program.”

Luke Copeland is another solid high school recruit from West Johnston High, outside of Raleigh, NC.  Copeland will be a great leader academically and is considered to be a top five runner on the team this coming season.

“Like Musto, Luke had an unfortunate ending to his senior track season, catching an early stress fracture.  He will look to pick up where he ended his cross country season,” said Larios, “Luke has the possibility of being a great collegiate runner.  During the recruiting process, he asked many great questions, which leads me to believe he knew exactly what he was looking for in a team-oriented program.”

Rounding out the current 2008 recruiting class, in order of their date of commitment, are Travis Yoder, Jared Nielson, Travis Eiler, and Alan King. 

Travis Yoder also hails from Polk County High School in Columbus, NC.  He was a state qualifier this year in the 3200m at the 1A level.

“There’s so much to like about Travis.  He’s has great family support and is willing to commit to a higher level of mileage.  I’m excited to track his progress in the years to come,” said Coach Larios.

Jared Nielson is another homeschooled runner who comes from the Charlotte area.  His father was also a cross country runner in college and Coach Larios believes his 6’ 3” frame can be developed into a solid runner at the collegiate level.  “Jared comes from a tightly bonded family.  His family is rather active in Christ and is currently seeking mission work this summer.  He wil bring great spiritual leadership to our program.  Once he gets into a nice training group, and takes a progress approach to his training, Jared may turn out to be a top five contender.”

Travis Eiler comes from Spartanburg Methodist College where he comes from a successful distance program.  He’s participated at the junior college half-marathon championships for two consecutive years.  “Travis has the character that Montreat seeks out desperately.  He’s a quality person all the way around and recent results show that he can contribute to our team in the two years he has remaining,” added Larios, “I believe he will not only make a solid impact on our team, but on our campus as a whole.”

Alan King will bring the necessary middle distance (400m/800m) presence that the Cavaliers need in order to string together a successful Distance Medley Relay.  “He brings great 4x400m success from Crest High School.  I’m excited about him.  He looks to have the range that we will look for in the development of our future relays.  With a soccer background, I think Alan will have a greater deal of range than he thinks,” boasted Larios.

As June and July approach rapidly, the Cavalier track and cross country staff will continue to recruit a few more additions to the 2008 rosters.