Feb. 6, 2008

OXFORD, Ohio -

Miami University head women's track and field/cross country coach Richard Ceronie announced today that the RedHawks have signed six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent.

Ceronie's 2008 class includes two nationally-ranked throwers, the Illinois state cross country champion, a two-time regional 400-meter champion, a four-time All-Indiana cross country runner, and a two-time All-Missouri sprinter.

The incoming track and field/cross country class includes Alexandra Roberts (Throws/Hilliard, Ohio), Samantha Gable (Throws/Greenfield, Ind.), Rachael Clay (Middle Distance/Rossford, Ohio), Olivia Klaus (Cross Country/Distance/Eureka, Ill.), Maggie Bingham (Cross Country/Distance/Westfield, Ind.), Diona Graves (Sprints/Kirkwood, Mo.)

THE 2008 WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY & TRACK AND FIELD RECRUITING CLASS

Alexandra Roberts
Throws - Hilliard, Ohio Columbus School for Girls
In the shot put, Roberts ranked ninth in the national outdoor performance list and 11th in the nation in indoor competition. She won the state championship in the shot put as a junior and was runner-up as a sophomore. She also placed fourth in the discus at the state competition as a junior and sophomore. Roberts has set personal best of 46-4 in the shot put and 135-0 in the discus. A four-time All-Ohio selection, earning the honor twice in both the shot put and discus, Roberts also won four regional titles and was named all-district twice as a student-athlete at Columbus School for Girls. She was coached by former Kansas All-American Rebekah Green. Roberts was equally as impressive in the classroom and in community service. Roberts was named Academic All-Ohio three times and spent time volunteering for numerous charities. She is the daughter of Hugh and Bonnie Roberts.

 

 

 

Samantha Gable
Throws - Greenfield, Ind. Greenfield Central High School
Gable is ranked 17th in the nation by Dyestat in the outdoor shot put. She placed fourth in the shot put at the state competition as a junior. A second-team All-Indiana selection and three-time all-conference honoree at Greenfield Central High School, Gable had personal bests of 128-8 in the discus and a school-record 44-3 in the shot put. She was named academic all-conference in 2006 and 2007. Gable earned the Celebrate Excellence Award four times and the Academic Achievement Award three times at GCHS, while volunteering for the Free Lunch Program at the Boys and Girls Club and Hope House. She is the daughter of Carol and Kip Gable.

 

 

 

Rachael Clay
Middle distance - Rossford, Ohio Rossford, Ohio A two-time regional champion in the 400 meters, Clay ran personal bests of 57.82 in the 400 and 26.55 in the 200-meter dash at Rossford High School. She was named the team's Most Valuable Runner four times at RHS, and was named All-Ohio twice. She was named second-team All-Northern Lakes League in 2005 and 2007. Clay was named Academic All-Ohio and qualifed for the regional competition in four events, the 200 dash, 400 dash, 4 X 800 relay and 4 X 400 relay. Along with lettering four times on the track, she was a four-year letterwinner in tennis. She has volunteered for Meals on Wheels and D.A.R.E., while earning the Lucas County Educational Service Center Outstanding Achievement Award. She is the daughter of Julie and James Clay.

 

 

 

Olivia Klaus
CC/Distance - Eureka, Ill. Eureka High School
The 2007 Illinois State Individual Champion in cross country, Klaus finished in the Top-15 in each of her four years at Eureka High School, also earning four-straight all-conference nods in both track and cross country. She has run a personal best of 17:27 in the three-mile, and has bests of 5:05 in the 1600 meters, 2:16 in the 800 meters and 11:10 in the 3200 meters. She was a part of a state champion 4 X 800 meter relay team in 2006. Klaus has been a part of three-straight sectional track and field championships as the Hornets have taken 10-straight sectional crowns. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has earned the geometry award, pre-calculus award, and recognition on the honor roll. She is the daughter of Debbie and Patrick Klaus.

 

 

 

Maggie Bingham
CC/Distance - Westfield, Ind. Westfield High School
Maggie Bingham was a four-time all-state, all-region, and all-conference cross country runner at Westfield High School and was named all-state in track three times as well. As a senior, she was named a track and field All-American. Bingham led WHS to three state championships and one runner-up finish in cross country and a fifth place finish at the state championships in 2007. She set personal records of 18:31 in the 5K and 14:17 in the 4K. On the track she ran best times of 11:10 in the 3200 meters and 5:05 in the 1600 meters. She was a member of the Indiana All-Star Cross Country Team and participated in the Nike Team Nationals in cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. She is the daughter of Nancy and Gary Bingham.

 

 

 

Diona Graves
Sprints - Kirkwood, Mo. Kirkwood High School
A two-time All-Missouri performer on the track, Graves ran personal bests of 11.9 in the 100-meters and 25.0 in the 200-meter dash at Kirkwood High School. She led the KHS squad to a fourth-place finish in the 2007 State Championship Meet. While at KHS, Graves earned the Humanitarian Award, appeared on the honor roll all four years, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She comes from a track and field legacy. Her mother, Deborah Graves-Manns, was an All-American at Truman State University.