Lee cross country and track coach Don Jayroe recently announced the signing of five impressive runners. The new recruits hope to be a part of the squad that opens the 2011 season by hosting the annual Lee Invitational at Fletcher Park on Aug. 27.

The latest signees include Ashley Matthews, who ran in high for Grace Christian School (Sanford, N.C.,). She is a transfer from Central Carolina Community College and Carson Newman. Shelby Hartline was a cross country and track runner at Hudson High School (Hudson, Ohio). Emily Carden is a local runner from nearby Walker Valley High School. Kayleigh Baker comes to Lee from Northview High School in Grand Rapids, Mich. and Grace Weisenburg was a part of the powerful athletic programs at Oakland High School (Murfeesboro, Tenn.).

This year has been a record setting recruiting year for our cross-country distance program here at Lee,” said Jayroe. “With the women's team, having lost five of the top six runners, our freshmen runners will have to mature quickly to repeat as conference champions, and to retain the 19th national ranking of last season. I expect to see some surprises after the third meet.”

Added Jayroe, “Our top returning runners returning for the women's team are Maggie Opelt and Emily Arneson. Maggie could very well be the front runner in the conference this year, since Shorter's Justyna Mudy, a two-time national champion has graduated. Emily has just started back running after a 3-month bout with tendonitis in the foot.”