University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Cross Country Announces its Recruiting Class
08.15.2023 | Cross Country
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville Head Cross Country Coach Adam Puett announced the programs' recruiting class on Tuesday. Overall, there will be 16 (seven women, nine men) new runners for Asheville this season.
"I'm very excited about the class we have signed this year," said Puett. "I feel that these seven women will help us improve within the Big South Conference. We needed to add depth to our cross country/distance roster and we did that, plus we added quality. Everyone in this incoming class brings in great character, work ethic and the ability to mesh with our current team. I feel confident that with the addition of this class, we will be moving up within the Big South Conference rankings."
Zoe Bos – Wilmington, N.C. (Coastal Christian HS)
400m: 58.49 800m: 2:24.13 5k(xc): 19:18
About Zoe - Zoe spent the last year focusing on the long sprints and middle-distance events, but she has also been a solid cross country runner in the state of North Carolina. She will add good depth to our middle-distance program but will also help out in her ability to run the longer distances during cross country season.
Hanna Guyton – Charlottesville, Va. (Albemarle HS)
1600m: 5:28 3200m: 11:16 5k(xc): 19:39
About Hannah - Hanna comes from a great high school program that has been at the top of the state of Virginia for years. This helps Hanna know what it takes to be successful in multiple event areas. She bonded well with our team, and we all knew that she was going to be a wonderful addition to our team.
Alison Graf – Berlin, Germany (Nevada / Schul-und Leistungssportzentrum Berlin)
800m: 2:11.61 1500m: 4:36.02 6k(xc): 22:01
About Alison - Alison will be coming to UNC Asheville from the University of Nevada, where she had the opportunity to race against some of the best competition in the country in the middle-distance events as well as cross country. She will bring a wealth of knowledge and competitiveness, which will help her be a top runner in the Big South Conference.
Emily Leo – Lillington, N.C. (Point Park University / Fairport HS)
800m: 2:27.34 1500m: 5:13 5k(xc): 20:07
About Emily - Emily comes to UNC Asheville as a transfer, so she will already be bringing in knowledge on what it takes to be successful at the collegiate level, especially seeing how she had the opportunity to compete at the NAIA Cross Country Championships as a freshman. Emily will focus primarily in the middle-distance event areas but will help us in cross country as well.
Ella Moore – Mooresville, N.C. (Mooresville HS)
800m: 2:26.31 1600m: 5:21 3200m: 11:21 5k(xc): 19:13
About Ella - Ella really flourished in her senior year at Mooresville High School, so it will be fun to watch her grow during her time in Asheville. During Ella's visit to Asheville, she bonded with our team and was able to make a great connection to Asheville. I think that Ella will be able to help us not only in cross country, but in everything from the 1500m to cross country.
Isabel Richardson – Huddersfield, England (The Crossley Heath School)
800m: 2:13.0 1500m: 4:30 3000m: 10:12
About Isabel - Isabel is bringing in a wealth of experience from her time running as part of the Great Britain National Mountain Running Team and running in national cross country and track and field meets. This summer she placed fourth in the 1500m at the English Schools National Championships. Isabel has the ability to be a great cross country runner within our conference while also being able run any distance event on the track.
Lauren Sochia – Mills River, N.C. (West Henderson HS)
5k(xc): 19:19
About Lauren - Lauren made some big improvements during her senior cross country season and helped West Henderson High School be one of the top teams not only in Western North Carolina, but the state of North Carolina. Lauren is bringing in a great attitude and work ethic to our program and I am excited to see her improvements during her time as a Bulldog.
"This class of nine men will not only add depth to our already solid cross country and distance program, but add talent as well," Puett said. "Our staff did an excellent job of finding these men and ensuring that they would be a good fit within our program and university. I believe this class will help lift our program to be one of the top programs within the Big South Conference for the years to come."
Sam Hulsey – Dawsonville, Ga. (Georgia College / Dawson County HS)
1600m: 4:29 3200m: 9:47 5k(xc): 15:55
About Sam - Sam is transferring from Georgia College, where he was one of their top runners for the past two years. Sam has a great work ethic and will bring some depth into our junior class. Sam will be able to help in the middle-distance events all the way to the cross country.
Brandon Kalasnik – Flagler, Fla. (Palm Coast HS)
400m: 50.78 800m: 1:54.96 5k(xc): 16:57
About Brandon - Brandon had a great senior season in the middle-distance events, so he will be fun to watch over the years to come. Brandon comes from a multi-sport background, mostly playing football, so I believe he has a high ceiling and will be able to help in multiple events areas in the Big South Conference.
Jan Malek – Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech Republic (Technicka Univerzita v Liberci)
800m: 1:54.02 1500m: 3:52.49 3000m: 8:23 3000mSC: 9:06 5000m: 14:48
About Jan - Jan is a great addition to our program as he comes to Asheville as one of the best U23 runners in the Czech Republic. He's had the opportunity to race as part of his national team on multiple occasions in both cross country and track and field. Jan has a wonderful attitude and work ethic, so he will be a great fit with our team culture. Recently, Jan won the 5,000m at the U23 National Championships. He will help our program from the 800m to the 5,000m in addition to being a top cross country runner.
Tyler Niloff – Wilmington, N.C. (Coastal Christian HS)
800m: 2:01.01 1600m: 4:24 3200m: 9:56 5k(xc): 16:10
About Tyler - Tyler attended Coastal Christian Academy and has been one of the top runners in the private school division of North Carolina for the past two years. He fit in so well with our team and has a great work ethic and attitude. Tyler will be able to help our program in both the middle-distance events all the way to cross country.
Jaheem O'Hara – Swannanoa, N.C. (Owen HS)
400m: 51.12 800m: 1:54.81 1600m: 4:29 5k(xc): 16:20
About Jaheem - Jaheem is a local runner from Owen High School and he helped his team to both a state championship in cross country and a runner-up finish at the state meet in track and field. Jaheem knows how to be a team player and that he can help our program in multiple events. Jaheem will primarily focus on the middle-distance events, but he will be able to help our cross county program as he matures as an athlete.
John Ramirez – Asheville, N.C. (North Buncombe HS)
800m: 1:59.17 1600m: 4:39 5k(xc): 17:40
About John - John is another local athlete from North Buncombe High School. He came to our sport from soccer, so I feel that John has a lot of room to grow and learn from our program. John will primarily run the middle-distance events.
Jonas Roach – Blacksburg, Va. (Blacksburg HS)
1600m: 4:26 3200m: 9:36 5k(xc): 15:54
About Jonas - Jonas had a great senior season even after dealing with some injuries in his senior season. He comes to Asheville from Blacksburg High School, which has been a perennial cross country powerhouse in the state of Virginia. Jonas will primarily be a long-distance runner, but he will be able to help add depth to our program anywhere from the 1500m to cross country.
Nate Sullivan – Free Union, Va. (Western Albemarle HS)
1600m: 4:28 3200m: 9:29 5k(xc): 15:51
About Nate - Nate is another Virginia addition to our program. Nate had a great senior season that saw him improve in every event from the 1600m to the 5000m in cross country. Nate has a great work ethic and attitude towards our sport, so I know he will be a consistent member of our cross country program, while also helping in the distance events in track.
Lance Surles – Benson, N.C. (West Johnston HS)
1600m: 4:34 3200m: 9:53 5k(xc): 16:47
About Lance - Lance is another solid runner from North Carolina that comes from West Johnston High School. Lance has a great worth ethic and is a student of the sport, so I feel like he will flourish in our program as he matures and adapts to collegiate coaching and training.
"I'm very excited about the class we have signed this year," said Puett. "I feel that these seven women will help us improve within the Big South Conference. We needed to add depth to our cross country/distance roster and we did that, plus we added quality. Everyone in this incoming class brings in great character, work ethic and the ability to mesh with our current team. I feel confident that with the addition of this class, we will be moving up within the Big South Conference rankings."
Zoe Bos – Wilmington, N.C. (Coastal Christian HS)
400m: 58.49 800m: 2:24.13 5k(xc): 19:18
About Zoe - Zoe spent the last year focusing on the long sprints and middle-distance events, but she has also been a solid cross country runner in the state of North Carolina. She will add good depth to our middle-distance program but will also help out in her ability to run the longer distances during cross country season.
Hanna Guyton – Charlottesville, Va. (Albemarle HS)
1600m: 5:28 3200m: 11:16 5k(xc): 19:39
About Hannah - Hanna comes from a great high school program that has been at the top of the state of Virginia for years. This helps Hanna know what it takes to be successful in multiple event areas. She bonded well with our team, and we all knew that she was going to be a wonderful addition to our team.
Alison Graf – Berlin, Germany (Nevada / Schul-und Leistungssportzentrum Berlin)
800m: 2:11.61 1500m: 4:36.02 6k(xc): 22:01
About Alison - Alison will be coming to UNC Asheville from the University of Nevada, where she had the opportunity to race against some of the best competition in the country in the middle-distance events as well as cross country. She will bring a wealth of knowledge and competitiveness, which will help her be a top runner in the Big South Conference.
Emily Leo – Lillington, N.C. (Point Park University / Fairport HS)
800m: 2:27.34 1500m: 5:13 5k(xc): 20:07
About Emily - Emily comes to UNC Asheville as a transfer, so she will already be bringing in knowledge on what it takes to be successful at the collegiate level, especially seeing how she had the opportunity to compete at the NAIA Cross Country Championships as a freshman. Emily will focus primarily in the middle-distance event areas but will help us in cross country as well.
Ella Moore – Mooresville, N.C. (Mooresville HS)
800m: 2:26.31 1600m: 5:21 3200m: 11:21 5k(xc): 19:13
About Ella - Ella really flourished in her senior year at Mooresville High School, so it will be fun to watch her grow during her time in Asheville. During Ella's visit to Asheville, she bonded with our team and was able to make a great connection to Asheville. I think that Ella will be able to help us not only in cross country, but in everything from the 1500m to cross country.
Isabel Richardson – Huddersfield, England (The Crossley Heath School)
800m: 2:13.0 1500m: 4:30 3000m: 10:12
About Isabel - Isabel is bringing in a wealth of experience from her time running as part of the Great Britain National Mountain Running Team and running in national cross country and track and field meets. This summer she placed fourth in the 1500m at the English Schools National Championships. Isabel has the ability to be a great cross country runner within our conference while also being able run any distance event on the track.
Lauren Sochia – Mills River, N.C. (West Henderson HS)
5k(xc): 19:19
About Lauren - Lauren made some big improvements during her senior cross country season and helped West Henderson High School be one of the top teams not only in Western North Carolina, but the state of North Carolina. Lauren is bringing in a great attitude and work ethic to our program and I am excited to see her improvements during her time as a Bulldog.
"This class of nine men will not only add depth to our already solid cross country and distance program, but add talent as well," Puett said. "Our staff did an excellent job of finding these men and ensuring that they would be a good fit within our program and university. I believe this class will help lift our program to be one of the top programs within the Big South Conference for the years to come."
Sam Hulsey – Dawsonville, Ga. (Georgia College / Dawson County HS)
1600m: 4:29 3200m: 9:47 5k(xc): 15:55
About Sam - Sam is transferring from Georgia College, where he was one of their top runners for the past two years. Sam has a great work ethic and will bring some depth into our junior class. Sam will be able to help in the middle-distance events all the way to the cross country.
Brandon Kalasnik – Flagler, Fla. (Palm Coast HS)
400m: 50.78 800m: 1:54.96 5k(xc): 16:57
About Brandon - Brandon had a great senior season in the middle-distance events, so he will be fun to watch over the years to come. Brandon comes from a multi-sport background, mostly playing football, so I believe he has a high ceiling and will be able to help in multiple events areas in the Big South Conference.
Jan Malek – Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech Republic (Technicka Univerzita v Liberci)
800m: 1:54.02 1500m: 3:52.49 3000m: 8:23 3000mSC: 9:06 5000m: 14:48
About Jan - Jan is a great addition to our program as he comes to Asheville as one of the best U23 runners in the Czech Republic. He's had the opportunity to race as part of his national team on multiple occasions in both cross country and track and field. Jan has a wonderful attitude and work ethic, so he will be a great fit with our team culture. Recently, Jan won the 5,000m at the U23 National Championships. He will help our program from the 800m to the 5,000m in addition to being a top cross country runner.
Tyler Niloff – Wilmington, N.C. (Coastal Christian HS)
800m: 2:01.01 1600m: 4:24 3200m: 9:56 5k(xc): 16:10
About Tyler - Tyler attended Coastal Christian Academy and has been one of the top runners in the private school division of North Carolina for the past two years. He fit in so well with our team and has a great work ethic and attitude. Tyler will be able to help our program in both the middle-distance events all the way to cross country.
Jaheem O'Hara – Swannanoa, N.C. (Owen HS)
400m: 51.12 800m: 1:54.81 1600m: 4:29 5k(xc): 16:20
About Jaheem - Jaheem is a local runner from Owen High School and he helped his team to both a state championship in cross country and a runner-up finish at the state meet in track and field. Jaheem knows how to be a team player and that he can help our program in multiple events. Jaheem will primarily focus on the middle-distance events, but he will be able to help our cross county program as he matures as an athlete.
John Ramirez – Asheville, N.C. (North Buncombe HS)
800m: 1:59.17 1600m: 4:39 5k(xc): 17:40
About John - John is another local athlete from North Buncombe High School. He came to our sport from soccer, so I feel that John has a lot of room to grow and learn from our program. John will primarily run the middle-distance events.
Jonas Roach – Blacksburg, Va. (Blacksburg HS)
1600m: 4:26 3200m: 9:36 5k(xc): 15:54
About Jonas - Jonas had a great senior season even after dealing with some injuries in his senior season. He comes to Asheville from Blacksburg High School, which has been a perennial cross country powerhouse in the state of Virginia. Jonas will primarily be a long-distance runner, but he will be able to help add depth to our program anywhere from the 1500m to cross country.
Nate Sullivan – Free Union, Va. (Western Albemarle HS)
1600m: 4:28 3200m: 9:29 5k(xc): 15:51
About Nate - Nate is another Virginia addition to our program. Nate had a great senior season that saw him improve in every event from the 1600m to the 5000m in cross country. Nate has a great work ethic and attitude towards our sport, so I know he will be a consistent member of our cross country program, while also helping in the distance events in track.
Lance Surles – Benson, N.C. (West Johnston HS)
1600m: 4:34 3200m: 9:53 5k(xc): 16:47
About Lance - Lance is another solid runner from North Carolina that comes from West Johnston High School. Lance has a great worth ethic and is a student of the sport, so I feel like he will flourish in our program as he matures and adapts to collegiate coaching and training.
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