JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida men’s and women’s cross country/track and field teams have added several new signees to their 2008-09 rosters, UNF coaches Julie Stackhouse and Mark VanAlstyne announced this week.
Morgan McCorkle is a Florida native from Boone High School. She is the 4A state runner-up, region champion, and district champion in the pole vault. Her personal best in the pole vault is 11-06.
Mike Strasser is the first of five new signees for the men’s teams. Strasser comes to the Ospreys all the way from St. Charles, Ill. While at St. Charles North, his high school, he placed ninth at the Illinois Indoor Classic and 14th at the Illinois State XC Meet. His times of 9:34 in the indoor 3,200m and 14:49 in the 5,000m mark his personal bests.
While competing at Robert E. Lee High School, Johnathan Esteban was the 3A 1,600m region and state champion. He also won seventh place at the cross country state finals. Esteban has personal bests of 4:22.00 in the 1,600m, 9:46.75 in the 3,200m, and 15:43 in the 5,000m.
Christian Homme was third place at region championships and district champion while at Seminole High School. The Florida native’s personal bests include his time of 10:02.34 in the 3,200m and 16:04 in the 5,000m.
During his time at Chiles High School, Josh Brown finished third in the 3,200m at the district championships. His times of 4:40.43 in the 1,600m and 10:06.79 in the 3,200m are some of his personal-best times.
Last but no least is Richie Kamaka. The Florida native was fourth place at the district championships while at Winter Springs High School. He has personal bests of 4:42.32 in the 1,600m and 10:17.37 in the 3,200m.