The University of Toledo women's cross country and track program has signed 17 student-athletes for the upcoming 2009-10 season, Head Coach Kevin Hadsell announced today.

This group of newcomers mark the second-largest signing class in school history, only behind this year's rising junior class. The student-athletes come from as far away as Romania and China - with Ohio, Indiana and Michigan also represented - and fill slots in all event areas for the Rockets.

"We are coming off a year where we redshirted a tremendous amount of talent, and with all those athletes coming back this year, as well as this recruiting class, we are looking better than ever," Hadsell said. "I feel as though cross country is in a position to challenge for our fifth top-2 finish in the MAC in nine years, and track has a chance to be our best team ever."

Here is a breakdown of the new Rockets:

DISTANCE

Holly Baird (Wauseon, OH - Wauseon HS): Baird was a Division II all-state performer in both cross country and track. She finished 11th at the 2008 Division III Cross Country Championships and eighth at this year's Division II track championships in the 3200m. Baird was the district champion in the 1600m and also won regional and district titles in the 3200m. She has run personal-best times of 5:18 (1600m) and 11:26 (3200m).

Lei Bornhorst (Minster, OH - Minster HS): Bornhorst was a Division III all-state performer in both cross country and track. She helped lead Minster to the Division III State Cross Country Championship in 2008. She has run personal-best times of 11:30 (3200m) and 18:41 (XC).

Hannah Brisson (Casco, MI - Richmond HS): Brisson was a Division II state qualifier in both cross country and track. She ran personal-best times of 18:50 for 5k cross country and 11:40 for 3200m.

Lauren Fausey (Minster, OH - Minster HS): Fausey was a Division III all-state cross country runner at Minster. She has run a personal-best time of 19:30 for 5k cross country. Lauren is the sister of current junior distance runner Jenna Fausey.

Devyn Ramsay (Benzonia, MI - Benzie HS): Ramsay was all-state in cross country, 1600m, 4x800m and 3200m. She was the 2006 Division III State Cross Country Champion and finished as runner-up in 2007 and 2008. Ramsay was the Division III State Champion in the 3200m as a junior and the Division III State runner-up as a senior. She has run personal-best times of 2:19 (800m), 5:08 (1600m) and 11:07 (3200m).

Kristal Studer (Brookville, IN - East Central HS): Studer earned all-state honors in cross country, 4x800, 1600m and 3200m, and was a sectional and regional champion in the latter three events. She represented Indiana in the Midwest Meet of Champions in the 1600m, finishing sixth. She also represented Indiana in the Mideast Meet of Champions in cross country. Studer has run personal-best times of 2:16 (800m), 5:01 (1600m) and 11:10 (3200m).

JUMPS

Alexandra Afloari (Romania - Grambling State Univ.): Afloari is a transfer from Grambling State University, where she spent two years. She was the 2008 SWAC Heptathlon Champion and 2009 runner-up in that event. She has personal-best performances of 38-6 (TJ), 5-6 (HJ) and has scored 4,700 points in the heptathlon.

Katie Bollin (Lambertville, MI - Bedford HS): Bollin was a state qualifier in the long jump. Bollin has a personal-best jump of 18-2 and was the school record holder in that event at Bedford HS.

Kiah Douglas (Saginaw, MI - Arthur Hill HS): Douglas was a state qualifier in the long jump and 400-meters. She has a personal-best long jump of 18-5 and has run 58.1 in the 400-meters.

Yuhong Fu (Beijing, China): Fu represented her provincial team at the Chinese Junior Championships. She has personal-best jumps of 19-4 (LJ) and 42-5 (TJ).

Huijun Jing (Beijing, China): Jing represented her provincial team at the Chinese Junior Championships and represented her country in international youth competitions. She has personal-best jumps of 5-9 (HJ) and 40-4 (TJ).  

Sprints

Ashley Phillips (Reynoldsburg, OH - Reynoldsburg HS): Phillips ran the lead off leg of Reynoldsburg's Division I state runner-up 4x100m team that finished with the second fastest time in Ohio history. She was also a regional qualifier in the 100-meters. Phillips represented Ohio at the Midwest Meet of Champions, running a leg on the winning 4x100m team. She has run personal-best times of 7.91 (60m) and 12.28 (100m).

Sarah Woodrum (Marion, OH - Harding HS): Woodrum was an Ohio Division I state qualifier in the 400-meters. She also represented Ohio at the Midwest Meet of Champions in the 400-meters. She has run personal-best times of 12.2 (100m), 25.2 (200m) and 55.91 (400m).

Alecia Zaper (Waterville, OH - Anthony Wayne HS): Zaper was a regional qualifier in the 100-meter hurdles and Division I state qualifier in relays. She ran personal-best times of 14.93 (100mHH) and 5-4 HJ and will be a multi-event athlete at Toledo. 

THROWS

Sarah Garvin (Wauseon, OH - Wauseon HS): Garvin was a regional qualifier in both the shot put and discus. She has personal-best throws of 38-6 (Shot) and 124-0 (Discus).

Emily Nadolny (Toledo, OH - Southern Utah): Nadolny transferred to the University of Toledo from Southern Utah, where she was a three-time letterwinner. The daughter of UT throws coach Chris Nadolny, she has personal-best tosses of 142-0 (Discus), 38-6 (Shot) and 160-0 (Hammer). She graduated from SUU in only three years.

Tanisha Pope (Canton, OH - McKinley HS): Pope was a Division I state qualifier in the discus and regional qualifier in the shot put. She has personal-best throws of 40-0 (Shot) and 126-0 (Discus).