TF/XC Inks Four During Early Period
Nov 13, 2015 | Cross Country
NEW ORLEANS - Tulane's track and field and cross country programs got a bit stronger on Friday, as director Eric Peterson announced the signing of four athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.
Peterson and his staff have secured the talents of distance runners Devyn Keith (John Curtis High School, New Orleans, Louisiana), Caroline Lampard (Havergal High School, Ontario, Canada) and Sarah Cella (Campolindo High School, Moraga, California) along with hurdler Brandi Hughes (Skyline High School, Sammamish, Washington) for the 2017 season.
"These four kids will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact on our team upon their arrival next fall," stated Peterson. "I've made several comments about how young and inexperienced our cross country teams are, and we made a concerted effort to strengthen those rosters. The additions of Caroline Lampard and Sarah Cella is huge, especially Caroline as she is much more of a longer distance runner. They are both very strong additions to the team."
Keith, the lone male and the only local in the class, helped lead John Curtis Christian High School to their fifth-straight indoor state title this past February, as he captured the top times in the 1,600 meter (4:33.71) and 800 meter (1:57.54) runs, in addition to anchoring the winning 4 x 800 meter relay team. Keith ran a personal-best 9:12.04 in the 3,200 meters during the FSU Relays in Tallahassee, Florida, this past March. In cross country, Keith won the 2014 LHSAA Class 3A State Championship with a 3-mile finish of 15:58.1 while helping lead the Patriots to the team state title.
"I think Devyn is arguably one of the finest distance runners in Louisiana state history," mentioned Peterson. "He gives us great range as he has the ability to run the 800 meters all the way to cross country distances. He also has an interest in learning how to steeplechase, as well. He's very versatile and talented, and we are really excited about picking him up."
Lampard is a long-distance runner, who has competed at the high school level in the 1,500 meters and the 3,000 meters. The Canadian's personal best in the 3,000 meters was a 10:00.53, good for a sixth-place finish in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSSA) Championships this past June in Toronto. Lampard also owns a personal best of 4:38.61 in the 1,500 meters, set during the same meet. During the cross country season, Lampard has set personal-best times of 10:52.86 in the 3,000 meters and 15:10.8 in the 4,000 meters and 17:31 in the 5,000 meters. Lampard placed second amongst 107 runners during last fall's CISAA XC Championships, and just last weekend, she finished eighth in the OFSSA Cross Country Championships out of 279 runners.
Hughes is a hurdler who won the 4A Washington State Championships in the 100-meter hurdles with a personal-best finish of 14.16 this past spring. Hughes also placed third in the 300-meter hurdles (44.27) during the same meet, setting another personal best in the process. While she is known for her hurdling skills, Hughes has also competed in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters. Her personal-best time in the 100 meters is 12.62.
"We already have two solid hurdlers in Skylin Harbin and Jessica Duckett, and we want to continue to grow that group and make it deeper," stated Peterson. "Brandi is an excellent hurdler that has only really been doing the two hurdle events for two years. There is huge upside with her. We have an opportunity to help her realize her potential while she is here."
Cella also specializes in mid-distance running during the track and field season, but has also dabbled in shorter distances. At Campolindo High School, Cella helped lead the Cougars to 2015 Diablo Foothill League Track and Field Championship with a personal-best time of 2:14.52 in the 800 meters. She has also competed in 4 x 100 meter and 4 x 400 meter relays, as well as the distance medley. Her personal-best time in the 1,600 meter run was a 5:24.28. During the cross country campaign, Cella has posted personal-best times of 18:43 in the 3-mile and 19:03 in the 5,000 meter run. Cella has also starred on the soccer field at Campolindo High.
"We aren't done yet," added Peterson. "We think we can get a few more kids in this class and go into next year with a lot of hope and optimism."
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Players Mentioned
