Cross Country Program Adds Four Men; Four Women

OMAHA, Neb. -- Four men and four women who combined to win 13 state titles in high school comprise head coach Chris Gannon's 2019 recruiting class for the Creighton Cross Country program.

"Assistant coach Matthew Fayers and I are excited about the 2019 class on both the men's and women's side," said Gannon. "We were able to bring in a great group of runners who will have a positive impact on our program as students and athletes. The entire class is riddled with state champions. These are kids who know how to compete and are ready to work hard. We feel there is a great opportunity for these men and women to develop and be great contributors to the rising success of our program."

Danny Bohnemann was a four-time qualifier for state in both cross country and track at Leavenworth (Kan.) High School, winning a pair of medals. He was recognized as the Leavenworth Times 2017 Select Boy Runner of the Year after finishing ninth in the state cross country meet, and earlier this spring placed fourth in the state in the 1,600 on the track. Bohnemann owns personal bests of 4:22 in the 1,600 and 15:42 over three miles.

Michael Buckley is an Omaha product who starred on the local scene at Creighton Prep. Buckley was part of the Junior Jays' 4x800 state champion relay team and last fall won the 2018 Creighton Prep Invitational. Creighton Prep took second as a team in the 2018 state cross country meet, with Buckley finishing 24th individually.

Micah Navarro comes to Creighton from Orange, Calif., where he starred at Servite High School. Navarro earned three letters, was named all-league, and owns PR's of 4:25 (1,600) and 15:42 (3 miles). He was also involved in Servite's ambassador program, activities committee and the Spanish Club.

John Quigley returns to Omaha after spending his freshman year of college at Army, USMA West Point. Quigley won six medals in track and three in cross country at Millard West, including an eighth-place showing in the 2017 state cross country meet. He ran a 26:21 8K race last year for Army.

On the women's side, Kate Cox was part of two team state titles at prep powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kan. Cox was on a 4x800 state champion relay team and placed 34th in the state cross country meet as a senior.

Jordan Harmon was the 2019 Class 2A state champion in the 3,200 meters for Unity High School in Tolono, Ill. Harmon helped lead her squad to team cross country titles at state as a freshman and junior, and was a three-time all-state performer in cross country. She owns the Rockets' school-record at 1600, 3200 and 3 miles, and was also honored with the Illinois Prairie Conference Scholar-Athlete Award. She was named All-Conference and All-Area four times in cross country in addition to All-Conference accolades in track three times.

Elizabeth Kettler was a two-time Kansas state champ in track who also finished runner-up in a pair of other races. The Hiawatha (Kan.) HS phenom finished second individually to help the Red Hawks to a title at the 2017 state cross country meet. Kettler also was runner-up in the 3200 in 2018 at the state track meet.

Last but not least on the women's side is Maryville (Mo.) product Ashley Riley, who won three state titles as a prep at Platte Valley HS. She went undefeated as a junior in cross country, winning the state meet by more than a minute, and also brought home track titles in the 1600 and 3200. She finished second in state in the 3200 and was sixth in both the 1600 and the 4x800 relay. Riley, who also participated in basketball and softball, was recognized as the 2017-18 Maryville Forum Female Athlete of the Year.

Creighton wrapped up Gannon's first year with eighth-place finishes in the BIG EAST on both the men's and women's side, despite not entering a senior in the league meet.

Creighton opens its fall season on Aug. 31 when it hosts a dual meet against Drake.

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