Cross Country Program Adds 13 For 2022

OMAHA, Neb. -- Creighton Cross Country head coach Chris Gannon has signed a talented recruiting class featuring seven men and six women who will enroll this fall on The Hilltop.

Joining the men's cross country program are Matthew Camp, Cole Haith, Brian Hiltebrand, Jonathan Lukas, Eli Moore, Dominic Ricci and Matthew Tolman. The recruiting haul for the Bluejay women features Alexis Huddin, Carly Manchester, Anika Nettekoven, Caroline Rupper, Katherine Soule and Sophia Valentine.

"I couldn't be happier with this year's recruiting class," said assistant coach Matthew Fayers, who also serves as the program's recruiting coordinator. "Each year we have looked at building upon the previous class and this year is no different. These incoming freshmen highlight the improvements the team has made and the trajectory of the program. Not only do we have some women who will be able to make a big impact immediately, but we have an incredibly strong group of middle-distance men coming in! I'm excited that they have chosen Creighton and can't wait to see how they develop as people and Bluejays."

Gannon was also effusive in his praise for the recruiting class.

"I am really excited about the incoming men's and women's class," said Gannon, who enters his fifth season at the helm of both programs next month. "We have a lot of momentum in our program right now and this class will keep that positive energy going. There are some standout performers in the class and some athletes who have the potential to make an immediate impact. For me, the most exciting thing is the depth of adding such a large class with great talent throughout. In addition to being a group of talented runners, we have brought in a group who understands the culture we have built the last few years and will contribute to what it means to be a Bluejay runner, in all areas of life."

Both programs will look to continue their success on-and-off the course this fall. The Bluejays have ranked in the top-three nationally for combined program GPA in three of the last four seasons, and last week the men's cross country program earned the BIG EAST Team Academic Excellence Award.

Creighton starts its 2022 fall schedule on September 2nd in Sioux Falls, S.D., at the Augustana Twilight.

Men's Cross Country Additions
Matthew Camp – Chandler, Ariz. (Perry)
Three-time state qualifier in cross country, two-time state qualifier in track
14^th in state in 2021 cross country
Named Team MVP in both cross country and track as a senior
AP Scholar with distinction

Cole Haith – Omaha, Neb. (Millard West)
Three-time state qualifier in cross country, two-time state qualifier in track
Cross country team finished 25^th in the nation in 2021
An Honors Student, he was named Academic All-State twice

Brian Hiltebrand – Glenview, Ill. (Glenbrook South)
5^th 800m at Illinois State Track Championships, '21 & '22
State qualifier in cross country, two-time state qualifier in track
Three-time all-state pick in track
Two-time Team MVP in cross country
Broke 13 school records in cross country or track and was a team captain in both
Senior Class Vice President earned Norman E. Watson Leadership Award

Jonathan Lukas – Whitefish Bay, Wis. (Whitefish Bay)
Two-time state qualifier in cross country and two-time state qualifier in track also qualified for state as a freshman in tennis
Took 17^th in 2020 Wisconsin Cross Country Championships
Three-time All-Conference choice
AP Scholar

Eli Moore – Olathe, Kan. (St. James Academy)
6^th as a senior at Kansas State Cross Country Championships
7^th 1600 at Kansas State Track Championships (5A)
8^th 3200 at Kansas State Track Championships
Two-time state medalist in cross country, two-time state qualifier in track
A member of the National Honor Society and named Academic All-State in cross country

Dominic Ricci – Portland, Ore. (Jesuit)
3^rd in 800m (1:53) at Oregon State Track Championships
6^th in 4x400m in 2021 at State Track Championships
State qualifier in cross country and track once each
Helped team to state title in cross country as a senior
Four-time Academic All-Metro and a member of National Honors Society

Matthew Tolman – Olathe, Kan. (Olathe South)
4^th 1600 at Kansas State Track Championships (6A)
6^th as a senior at Kansas State Cross Country Championships
8^th 3200 at Kansas State Track Championships
Four-time qualifier for State Cross Country meet
Four-time state qualifier in cross country, two-time state qualifier in track

Women's Cross Country Additions
Alexis Huddin – Overland Park, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Four-time state qualifier in cross country, two-time state qualifier in track
2021 national qualifier in 2000m Steeplechase, finishing 12^th at the Junior Olympics
As a freshman team won state in cross country and she was on first place team in 4x800 relay
Junior team won state in track
Named Academic All-State as a senior, was a member of National Honor Society and graduated summa cum laude

Carly Manchester – Elmhurst, Ill. (IC Catholic Prep)
8^th in 800 at Illinois State Track Championships
5^th in 3200 at Illinois State Track championships, 11:07
8^th as SR at Illinois State Cross Country Championships
Four-time cross country state medalist, six-time all-state performer in track
High Honor Roll all four years of high school, named an Illinois State Scholar and a Monsignor Plunkett Distinguished Scholar

Anika Nettekoven – Appleton, Wis. (Appleton North)
Four-time state qualifier in cross country and track
Four-time first team all-conference in cross country
Paul Engen Female Athlete of the Year
Class Valedictorian, National Honor Society Treasurer, Key Club President and recognized with Rotary Student of Excellence Award

Caroline Rupper – Sandy, Utah (Brighton)
6^th in 3200 (11:02) at Utah State Track Championships
10^th in 1600 (5:08) at Utah State Track Championships
14^th as a senior at Utah State Cross Country Championships
Four-time state qualifier in cross country, three-time state qualifier in track
Three-time Region champion in cross country
Holds school records in the 3200m and 4x800m

Katherine Soule – Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley West)
Four-time state qualifier in cross country and state qualifier in track once
Two-time state medalist and Academic All-State in cross country
State medalist in the 3200m in 2019
Named a 2022 Kansas City Star Scholar Athlete
Graduated summa cum laude
ACT Scholar, National Honor Society and National Merit Commended Scholar

Sophia Valentine – Colorado Springs, Colo. (Classical Academy)
13^th 800m at Colorado State Championships
18^th 1600m at Colorado State Championships
Three-time state qualifier in both cross country and track
Part of a program that won state in cross country all four years she was in high school
Played on a basketball team that made the final 16 at state
National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society

Players Mentioned

Matthew Camp

Cole Haith

Brian Hiltebrand

Alexis Huddin

Jonathan Lukas

Carly Manchester

Eli Moore

Anika Nettekoven

Dominic Ricci

Caroline Rupper

Katherine Soule

Matthew Tolman

Sophia Valentine

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