EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana men's cross country/track and field team announced the signing of incoming freshman Tyler Pence (Springfield, Illinois) to a national letter of intent to compete for Head Coach Mike Hillyard's Screaming Eagles in 2011-12.

Pence recently graduated from Springfield High School where he earned varsity letters in cross country, track, and wrestling.

During his prep career, Pence competed on four teams that placed in the top six of the IHSA Class 2A Cross Country Championships. The three-time All-Conference performer finished 43rd at the 2009 state meet and was 73rd in 2008.

On the track, Pence helped guide SHS to a fifth-place finish at the 2011 IHSA Class 2A State Championships by finishing sixth in the 3,200 meters.

“Tyler is a late bloomer with a huge upside,” Hillyard said. “He comes from a very solid, well-coached high school program, so he comes in with a solid foundation. He will be a major contributor here at the University of Southern Indiana.”

Pence joins and incoming recruiting class that includes freshmen Andrew Beiriger (Columbus, Indiana), Will Hogston (Indianapolis, Indiana), and Trent Nolan (Evansville, Indiana). The Eagles, who host the Great Lakes Valley Conference Cross Country Championships in October, are in search of their seventh consecutive league title in 2011.