The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Esche Announces 2016 Cross Country Signees
7/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB head cross country coach Matt Esche announced the addition of seven new runners to the team on Wednesday.
Joining the Blazers this fall will be Abigail Davis, Emily Drouin, Jenna Hinds, Marielle Lewis, Serena Martinez, Celestial Moon and Angela Moore.
"Coach (Matt) Esche has done a tremendous job of bringing in some very talented distance athletes to the cross country and track program," Director of Track and Field Kurt Thomas said. "Cele Moon is a big talent who had an amazing senior year at Wilson here in Alabama. Along with Marielle Lewis and Serena Martinez, they bring some big time 800-meter and mile/1500-meter PR's to UAB."
"Abigail, Jenna and Angela are going to be key components to the cross country program striving for C-USA titles," Thomas added. "We look forward to transfer Emily Drouin, who can step in and contribute in cross country and track immediately. Overall, we couldn't be happier with who we have coming in. Their talents and character are exactly what we want to add to our program."
UAB begins its season on September 3 at the Memphis Twilight.
2016 UAB Cross Country Signees
Abigail Davis - Hartselle, Ala. - Hartselle HS
Davis, a three year letterwinner from Hartselle, Ala., was named to the all-state cross country team all three years. She garnered all-state indoor track accolades in 2015 and 2016 and earned all-state outdoor track in 2015. Davis holds the Hartselle school records in the 3,200 meters (11:29), 1,600 meters (5:21), 800 meters (2:26) and 5K (19:06). As a junior she placed fourth at state in cross country meet, sixth in the 1,600-meter and fourth in the 3,200-meter race. As a senior, Davis finished third in the state in the 3,200, fifth in the 1,600 and seventh in cross country.
"Abigail is driven both in and out of the classroom to be the best," Esche said. "Having a talent such as her speaks volumes to the direction we are headed here at UAB and will only help to attract more talent from around the State."
Davis' Personal Bests:
1600 - 5:21
3200 - 11:29
5K XC - 19:06
Emily Drouin - Verona, Ontario, Canada - UT Chattanooga
Drouin, a transfer from UT Chattanooga, comes to UAB with two years of eligibility. In 2016, she placed 65th at the NCAA South Regional and also finished seventh at the Southern Conference Cross Country Championships. As a freshman in 2014, she placed second in both the steeplechase and 5,000-meter race at the conference championship for the Mocs.
"Emily has a very talented skill set that I am very excited to tap into when she arrives in the fall," Esche said. "Emily will fit right into our top 3 in cross country and help us not miss a beat in Conference as we look to climb the ladder very quickly in C-USA and the NCAA South Region."
Drouin's Personal Bests:
1500 - 4:42*
3000 - 10:08*
Steeplechase - 11:03*
5K XC - 17:44*
6K XC - 21:47*
*at UTC
Jenna Hinds - Sandusky, Ohio - Sandusky Catholic Central
Hinds, who ran at Sandusky Catholic Central for Ron Leech, holds the school's 5K record with a time of 18:53. In 2013, she was named to the Milesplit Elite Second Team. The two-time Sandusky Central Catholic MVP placed 26th in the state cross country meet in 2014. In 2015, Hinds finished 11th in the state 3,200-meter race.
"Jenna brings some much needed depth to our cross country team," Esche said. "She has a lot of motivation for her freshman year and big things will be expected from Jenna."
Hinds' Personal Bests:
1600 - 5:24
3200 - 11:28
5K XC - 18:53
Marielle Lewis - Smyrna, Ga. - Campbell HS
A three year letterwinner from Smyrna, Ga., Lewis placed second at the state 800-meter run back-to-back years as a junior and senior. As a junior in 2014, Lewis placed ninth in the state cross country meet. In 2015, Lewis took home a first place finish in the state mile race. As a senior, she placed ninth in the state mile and finished third in the state 800-meter.
"Marielle is a pure runner with a great stride and incredible turnover," Esche said. "Her knowledge of the sport and ability to compete at National Championships will be an immediate boost to the program. Marielle's talent will truly shine come this indoor season."
Lewis' Personal Bests:
400 - 57.00
800 - 2:12.18
Mile - 5:06
5K XC - 19:04
Serena Martinez - Hackensack, N.J. - Hackensack HS
Martinez ran for Jim Levitzke at Hackensack. She led the Comets to the Brett Taylor Cross Country Championship in 2014. In 2016, she was named to the All-County Second Team in the 1,600 and 800-meter race. Martinez was also named to the All-County Second Cross Country Team in 2015. In the spring medley relay, she helped break the school record running the 800-meter leg.
"Serena's talents are still untapped as she is learning how to run," Esche said. "Her natural speed is dangerous and will be put to great use this year. We look for Serena to make an immediate impact in our program both in cross country and on the track.
Martinez' Personal Bests:
800 - 2:17
Mile - 4:58
5K XC - 19:06
Celestial Moon - Muscle Shoals, Ala. - Wilson HS
Moon, the state record holder in the 4x800-meter relay, also holds Alabama's state record in the 800-meter and has earned four state titles in cross country. While at Wilson, Moon helped lead her team to three state titles in the 4x800-meter relay while also earning an individual state championship in 2013. Moon was named Times Daily Athlete of the Year in 2013 and also garnered Tennessee Valley Girls Runner of the Year back-to-back years. Moon led Wilson to the 4A girls title following a second place finish in the state meet with a personal-best 18:23.08 mark in 2014.
"To get an Alabama talent like Cele is a big boost for our program," Esche said. "She has help lead her cross country team to numerous state titles and capped off her Senior year with an individual state runner up finish in cross country and a state record in the 800-meter. Cele brings the whole package to UAB, with an expectation to be the best."
Moon's Personal Bests:
800 - 2:13.45
1600 - 5:12
3200 - 11:23
Angela Moore - Oshkosh, Wis. - Lourdes Academy
Moore, a three-time cross country state champion, hails from Oshkosh, Wis. She claimed the WIAA Division III championship in 2013 and 2014 for Lourdes Academy. Moore holds the school record in the 4x800 and led the Knights to the 4x800 championship in 2016. She was the state runner up in 2013 before earning a first place finished at state the following year in the 4x800-meter race.
"Angela is a very fluid runner that will only get stronger here at UAB," Esche said. "Her passion for her education and running will only fuel the competitiveness on our squad. Angela comes from a very dominant program in Wisconsin that knows what is takes to win state titles."
Moore's Personal Bests:
800 - 2:23
1600 - 5:20
