Des Moines, Iowa all-state runner Andrew Barrett (Theodore Roosevelt H.S.) and Frankfort, Indiana running standout Kelby Jenkins (Frankfort H.S.) have both signed National Letters of Intent to run cross country at the University of Evansville, head coach Don Walters announced on Thursday. Barrett and Jenkins will join the UE men’s and women’s cross country teams this fall.
“Both Andrew and Kelby will definitely have an impact on our program, not only on the course, but also off,” said Walters. “On the course, they are exceptional runners who will only get better at the college level. Off of the course, they are both outstanding students and they come from great families and they do things the right way. I am really looking forward to seeing both of them on campus here in the fall.”
Barrett was named to Iowa’s “Elite All-State Team” as a senior, after placing third in the state meet for the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Riders. The “Elite All-State Team” is comprised of the top 10 runners in the state from the various classes in the Iowa High School system. Barrett qualified for the Iowa state meet three times in cross country and twice more in track, including placing third in the 2009 cross country state meet and 12th in the 2007 meet as a sophomore, when he helped the Rough Riders to a runner-up team finish in Iowa. In track, Barrett qualified for the 1,600-meter final as a junior, while being part of a 4x800-meter relay team which advanced to the state finals in 2007. In the classroom, Barrett is a member of the National Honor Society and was a National Merit Scholar Letter of Commendation recipient.
“Andrew is one of the top runners in the state of Iowa, and I feel as though he will only get better with the longer distances in college,” said Walters. “He is a very smart runner and has a great runner’s frame, and I think that he will add a lot to our men’s program over the next four years.”
Jenkins excelled mainly in track and soccer, before running cross country for the first time last fall as a senior. While playing both soccer and cross country last fall, Jenkins excelled on the cross country course, including posting a personal-best time of 19:56 in the 5-K event while helping the Frankfort Hot Dogs to the 2009 semi-state meet as conference champions. On the track, Jenkins is a two-time team MVP as a first team all-conference selection. This spring, she has already set a new school record in the 800-meter event with a time of 2:26.62, while also rewriting the Frankfort record book in the 1,600-meter (5:14) and 3,200-meter (11:35) events as well. Jenkins also excels in the classroom, as she will serve as Frankfort’s valedictorian at graduation next month.
“Kelby is someone who I think can really make an impact on our women’s program,” said Walters. “She is having an outstanding spring season in track, and really has untapped potential on the cross country course with her speed and athleticism. Her times have really dropped this spring, and hopefully, that will continue to be the case when she arrives on campus this fall.”
Barrett and Jenkins join three-time all-Indiana runner Jake Schwartz (English, Ind./Perry Central) as the first three recruits to sign with the UE cross country program this spring. Evansville will open the 2010 cross country season this September by hosting the annual Mid-America Opener at the UE Cross Country Course on Labor Day weekend.
