NAMPA, Idaho - Northwest Nazarene University head track & field coach John Spatz has announced that Matt Rankin, Jesse Baggenstos, Rebecca Holding and Connor Kirkpatrick have all chosen to attend NNU and compete for the Crusader track & field program next year.

 

Rankin, a senior from Ontario High School (OR), has signed to run for both the cross country and track programs. In cross country Matt finished seventh at the Oregon 4A state championships this past fall in a time of 16:27. He won the Greater Oregon League (GOL) district meet in 16:40, with the district victory marking his third straight district title in cross country.

 

In his junior season on the track, Matt finished 10th at the state meet in the 1500-meters in a time of 4:10.77 and 10th in the 3000-meters with a time of 9:14.18. He won both events at the GOL district meet, the 3,000-meters for the third-straight year and the 1500-meters for the second-straight year.

“We are very excited about Matt deciding to join our team here at NNU next fall," Spatz commented.  "He is a very hard working athlete and will help to provide depth to our cross country and track teams over his career.”

 

Jesse Baggenstos joins the Crusaders from Renton, Washington.  “Jesse has only ran for the past two cross country seasons, but has already posted some good times," Spatz added.  "He has a bright future ahead of him and we are very excited that he will be a part of our team next year.” 

 

Not only a great athlete, Jesse brings many other qualities to NNU. He is the first National Merit Scholarship award winner NNU cross country and track has signed and carries a 4.00 GPA, looking to major in Engineering at NNU.  "Jesse has great leadership skills and will fit right in with the team dynamics," Spatz commented.  "He brings with him tremendous work ethic and determination which is evident in his school work and running."

 

Rebecca Holding from Damascus Christian High School (OR) is a welcome addition to the hurdle corps and combined events groups at NNU. "Rebecca will have a very positive impact on the program and should be able to compete at the GNAC conference level right away," Spatz adds.  "Rebecca missed all of 2008 due to injury, but has come back strong for her senior year posting a 300-meter Hurdles time of 47.64."

 

As a sophomore at the Oregon 1A state championships, Rebecca placed second in the 100-Hurdles, fifth in the 300-Hurdles, ran a leg on the 4 x 100 relay that finished third, and a leg on the 4 x 400 relay team that finished fourth.  Having also competed in a number of heptathlon's, beginning with the Junior Olympics and continuing on through the USATF Regional and National Championships, she has a best mark of just under 4,000 points in the combined events.

 

"We are very excited that Rebecca has chosen to become a part of the team here at NNU," Spatz noted.  "Rebecca is exactly the type of student-athlete that we are looking for. Her desire to compete and to continually improve should take her to the top during her time here."
 
Connor Kirkpatrick, from Cascade Christian High School in Oregon, will join a very solid group of returners and new recruits on the NNU sprint squad.

"Connor is a hard working and dedicated student-athlete that is sure to see success at the next level," Spatz adds. "His great attitude and commitment to being the best should see him play an important role in both the relays and his individual events.  Connor is a great addition to the team and we are very excited about what the future holds for Connor."

 

Connor had a very successful junior year at both his district championship and the Oregon 3A state championship meets. He was runner-up at the district meet in both the 100 and 200-meters and at the state meet he advanced to the finals in the 100 and 200, where he finished seventh and sixth, respectively. He also ran legs on the second-place 4 x 100 relay and the second-place 4 x 400 relay.

 

His 2008 top marks were 11.40 (100m), 23.30 (200m) and 52.33 (400m).  "Connor has set some high goals for 2009 which should find him at the top the state in each of his events," Spatz continued.