The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Track And Field Adds Three
5/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
May 8, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB head track and field coach Ray Stanfield announced the signing of three athletes on Monday. The Blazers received letters of intent from Kelsey Devereaux, Kendel Hood and Amber Walker.
"These three women added to the five that we signed early, makes this one of the best classes that I have brought in," said UAB head coach Ray Stanfield. "They all have tremendous talent and have already competed against some of the best high school competition. I expect great things from these three student-athletes."
Devereaux, of Jackson Northwest High School in Jackson, Mich., is middle distance runner. Devereaux posted a time of 20:13.85 in the 2005 Michigan High School Cross Country Championship in November. She holds a personal best of 5:17.35 in the 1600 meters.
Hood from Klein Collins High School in Spring, Texas, is a multiple state qualifier in both cross country and track. During the track season, Hood set a personal best with a time of 5:03.20 in the 1600 meters, which is the 13th best time in the state this season. Her time of 2:14.08 in the 800 meters at the District 14-5A meet ranks sixth in the state during the 2006 campaign.
"Kendel and Kelsey add to the already strong group of distance runners here at UAB," said Stanfield. "With early signees, Kristina Olsen and Thela Woodring, this class has even more potential than my first class of distance runners, and that class has been extremely successful. Kendel is a very talented middle distance runner that has competed in one of the most competitive areas of the nation. She has the talent to impact C-USA early in her career. Kelsey puts even more punch in the area of 1500 and 3000. I am very excited that these young women have chosen UAB to continue their athletic and academic careers.
Walker signed with UAB out of Lewisville High School in Lewisville Texas. Walker was second in the 400 meters in the 2006 District 8-5A meet with a time of 57.98. Additionally, she finished third in the 2005 District 8-5A meet, posting a time of 25.75 and helped Lewisville to a seventh-place finish in the 4x100-meter relay at the Texas Relays this season.
"Amber Walker gives us that `other' 200/400 runner we were looking for," Stanfield said. "She has competed at the Texas State Meet numerous times and that is the competitive nature I like to bring to the team."
The Blazers next compete at the Conference USA Championship beginning May 11 in El Paso, Texas.
