NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame cross country and track and field program has announced the addition of 12 student-athletes to its 2020-21 roster, with four men and eight women signing National Letters of Intent since the signing period opened November 13.
The Irish men’s signing class ranks as one of the top distance classes in the country, featuring three state cross country champions and a national champion in the outdoor 5,000 meters. The women’s class features a mix of sprinters, distance runners and multi-event athletes, including state, regional and national-level performers.
Learn more about the incoming class:
Men’s Signees
Josh Methner | Arlington Heights, Ill. | Hersey | Distance
- Broke a 47-year-old Illinois state cross country record in 2019, recording a time of 13:49.90 for a three-mile course.
- Two-time Illinois State Cross Country Champion
- 2019 Illinois State 3,200 Meter Champion
- 2018 Footlocker National Cross Country Championship, Sixth Place
- 3,200 meter time: 9:02.54; Mile time: 4:13.76
Carter Solomon | Canton, Mich. | Plymouth | Distance
- 2018 Footlocker National Cross Country Championship, Fourth Place
- 2019 Michigan State Cross Country Champion
- 3,200 meter time: 9:08.96
Robbie Cozean | Middletown, Conn. | Xavier | Distance
- 2019 New Balance National Outdoor Champion, 5,000 Meters
- 2019 Connecticut State Outdoor 3,200 Meter Champion
- 2019 New England Cross Country Championships Runner-Up
- 3,200 meter time: 8:54.78; 5,000 meter time: 14:26.18
Lisandro Berry-Gaviria | Bowdowinham, Maine | Mt. Aratat | Distance
- Three-time Maine Cross Country Champion
- Two-time Maine Outdoor Mile Champion
- Maine Indoor Mile Champion
- Two-time Maine Outdoor Two-Mile Champion
- Maine Indoor Two-Mile Champion
- 3,200 meter time: 9:16.51
Men’s Cross Country Head Coach Sean Carlson’s on the men’s signing class:
“We have one of the top men’s distance classes in the country and I could not be more excited about it. This class is an incredible addition to our men’s cross country and distance contingent and will help us continue to grow nationally over the next few years.
Women’s Signees
Jadin O’Brien | Pewaukee, Wis. | Divine Savior Holy Angels | Multi-events
- No. 1-ranked senior heptathlete in the country
- USA U20 Heptathlon Championships, Third Place
- Wisconsin State 100-Meter Hurdles Champion
- Wisconsin State 300-Meter Hurdles Champion
- Heptathlon score: 5,167; 100 meter hurdle time: 13.91; Long jump mark: 19’2”; 300 meter hurdle time: 42.31
Madison Schmidt | Blaine, Minn. | Blaine | Jumps
- No. 2-ranked senior high jumper in the country
- 2019 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year
- 2019 USA U20 Championships High Jump, Third Place
- 2019 Minnesota State High Jump Champion
- High jump mark: 6’0”
Erin Strzelecki | Fort Wayne, Ind. | Bishop Dwenger | Distance
- 2019 Indiana State Cross Country Championship
- Recorded second-fastest cross country time in state championship history on the historic Terre Haute course in 2019 (record held by current Notre Dame graduate student Anna Rohrer)
- 2019 Nike National Qualifier
- 2018 Indiana State Cross Country Runner-Up
- 3,200 meter time: 10:35.63
Alaina Brady | Maple Valley, Wash. | Tahoma | Multi-events
- No. 2-ranked senior heptathlete in the country
- 2019 National Junior Olympic Heptathlon Champion
- 2019 National Junior Olympic Long Jump, Third Place
- 2019 National Junior Olympic 100-Meter Hurdles, Fourth Place
- Heptathlon score: 5,167 points, 100 meter hurdle time: 13.96; Long jump mark: 19’2”; 300 meter hurdles: 42.99
Julia Dvorak | Fort Wayne, Ind. | Homestead | Middle Distance
- 2019 Indiana State 800 Meters, Third Place (All-State)
- 2019 Indiana All-State in cross country
- 800 meter time: 2:08.50; Mile time: 5:03.29
Caroline Isemann | Chester, N.J. | West Morris Central | Distance
- 2019 Morris County 400-Meter Hurdles Champion
- 2019 New Jersey State Finalist, 400-Meter Hurdles
- 400-meter hurdles time:1:03.78
Eve Balseiro | Bronxville, N.Y. | Bronxville | Sprints
- New York State Outdoor 400 Meter Championships, Fifth Place
- Two time State Runner-up, 4×100 Meter & 4×400 Meter
- 400 meter time: 56.64
Ailish Chambers | Rocky River, Ohio | Magnificat | Hurdles
- Ohio State Regional 300-Meter Hurdles Champion
- Ohio State 300-Meter Hurdles Finalist
- 300-meter hurdles time: 43.67
Hatherly-Piane Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Matt Sparks on the women’s signing class:
“Our staff did a great job assembling a complete, well-rounded recruiting class. We filled a lot of holes on our team, especially in the women’s sprints, hurdles and jumps. We have several athletes coming in that will make an immediate impact on a national level.”
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