van Lierop brings in talented runners

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 17, 2010 11:06 PM

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MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive College has signed 32 recruits -- 18 men and 14 women -- to national letters-of-intent in men's and women's cross country, and men's and women's track and field.

Trojan head coach Matt van Lierop said nine men and 10 women will compete in both sports. Cross country runs in the fall, while track and field is contested in the spring.

On the men's side, three Princeton High graduates -- T.J. Wilson, Cameron Braswell and Decardo Cole -- will compete in just track and field. The Bulldog trio enjoyed tremendous success during their respective prep careers, and each advanced to regional and state competition on the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A scene.

Wilson won four individual state championships.

Joining them on the track will be Nick MacAdam, Brandon Mitchell, Nieto Andry, Jose Miguel Palenzuela, Rashad Powell and Jonathan Tedder.

The cross country/track performers are Southern Wayne graduate Trevor Morgan, Michael Cherry, Trey Darby, Jamar Davis, Ryan Henderson, Erasmo Ordonez, Dalton Souza, Nicholas Springston and Jordan Willett.

"I'm very excited about the group we're bringing in," said van Lierop. "I feel like we have a talented and well-rounded group coming in this year. Combined with strong returning rosters, I think we'll have some good team and individual results in both cross country and track and field."

The Trojans finished fourth in the 2009 Conference Carolinas men's cross country championships and placed 10th at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional. MOC ended up third in the season-ending conference track and field championship meet, and enjoyed a No. 7 ranking in the Southeast Region cross country and track and field polls.

On the women's side, Terri Bluebird, Alaytra Carswell, Christina Jordan, Chelsea Long, Jenessa Martinez, Chelyn McCain, Jessica McKinnis, Clarissa Petro, Courtney Siefert and Amber Thompson will compete in both cross country and track and field.

Sisters Cierra and Kierra Butler, Yushondria Jackson and Jasmine Taylor will compete in track and field only.

MOC finished 10th in the 2009 Conference Carolinas women's cross country championships, and fifth at the season-ending track and field meet. The Trojans cracked the Southeast Region poll during track season.