NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene University head cross country and track & field coach John Spatz has announced that Christine Harwood, Shanna Rippy, Chelsea Layne, Laura Pridgen, Cameron Colby and Joe Lovell have each signed National Letters of Intent to attend NNU and compete for the Crusaders next fall.

 

Harwood will join the Crusaders from Pendleton High School in Pendleton, Oregon.  “We are very excited about Christine choosing NNU to pursue her academic and athletic future,” Spatz commented.  “She will bring a level of leadership not easily found in a freshman. Christine is an athlete with great range and the ability to help the team in everything from cross country in the fall to the middle distances and long sprints in the indoor and outdoor seasons.”

 

Harwood placed fifth at the 5A Oregon State Championship Meet in the 800m (2:19.33) and first as part of the 4x100m relay (49.50).  In Cross Country she was 18th as an individual and third with her team at the 5A Oregon Cross Country Championship meet her senior year (20:01) and holds a cross country PR of 19:37.

 

Shanna Rippy will graduate from Timberline High School in Boise this spring and will compete in the sprint and relay events for the Crusaders.  “Shanna brings a range of running skills to the sprint crew at NNU,” Spatz added.  “During high school Shanna ran everything from the 100m to 800m, including most of the relays.  At the Idaho State 4A/5A Championships, Shanna placed seventh in the 400m finals and also ran a leg on the 4 x 400 relay that captured the state championship in 2008, successfully defending their title from 2007. 

 

“Shanna will bring to NNU the talent and depth we need to continue to perform well at the GNAC championships in the 400m and 4 x 400m relay. We are very excited to sign a quality person like Shanna, who will help our teams reach some pretty high goals.”

 

Chelsea Layne will join the Crusaders following graduation from Jerome High School in Jerome, Idaho.  “Chelsey is a versatile athlete that will make a very solid impact on the sprint team here at NNU,” Spatz continued.  “At the 2008 Idaho State 4A Championships Chelsey finished seventh in the 400m final and her best time in the 400m last season was 1:01.84.” 

 

“With relay splits consistently in the 60-flat range, Chelsey will add strength to the NNU 400m and 4 x 400m relays teams. Chelsey is a hard worker, and one that should be able to develop into one of the top performers on the team here at NNU.”

 

Laura Pridgen will graduate from Nampa Christian High School this spring and compete in the hurdle and jump events from the Crusaders.

 

“Laura has had an outstanding high school career,” said Spatz.  “She enters her senior year as one of the most decorated track athletes in Idaho state history, having captured the 300-Hurdle title twice (2007, 2008), the 4 x 200m relay twice (2007, 2008), the triple jump once (2008), and in 2008 was runner up in the 100-Hurdles.”

 

“Laura will play a key role in helping NNU track & field as it seeks its first ever GNAC women's championship. We are very pleased that Laura has chosen to be a part of the team here at NNU and we are sure she will have a very positive impact, both on and off the track. She is a quality individual that leads through example.”

 

Joe Lovell will graduate from Bishop Kelly High School in Boise this spring and compete for the Crusader cross country team in the fall and run distance events on the track.

 

“Joe is an athlete who brings the experience of being on a championship team with him to NNU as Joe was the captain of Bishop Kelly's cross country state champion team at the Idaho 4A state cross country championships in 2008,” commented assistant coach Ben Gall. 

 

“We are very excited about Joe, as he has the determination and work ethic that we are looking for to help bring our team to the next level.  Joe has only run for two years and has shown the ability to adapt and improve each of those years.  He will be an excellent addition to the freshman class of 2009 and posted his cross country PR of 17:36 at the Boise City Meet in October of 2008.”

 

Cameron Colby will graduate from Westside Christian High School in Tualitin, Oregon this spring and compete in the sprint and relay events for the Crusader track & field team.

 

“Cameron brings a wealth of state meet sprint experience to the squad at NNU,” Spatz comments.  “Cameron has had an outstanding career at Westside Christian.  A member of the defending 4 x 100m relay state champion team, his team posted a time of 43.57 in 2008.”  

 

“Cameron is the defending district champion in both the 100 and 200 meters, and in addition to his state title in the relay, Cameron finished third in the 100m final, and then fifth in the 200m final at state in 2008,” Spatz continued.  “He is excited about what this year has to offer and is looking forward to joining the team here at NNU in the fall. Cameron will help to bridge one of the gaps on our sprint squad and will play an important role in running a quality 4 x 100m relay.  Signing a quality individual like Cameron will greatly help our team move ahead with its goal to compete for a conference title on the men's side.”