Cross Country / Track Announces Recruiting Class

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

Joining the men's cross country and track program are Blair Ptacek, Ryan Hendrickson, Evan Kraus, Tommy Murray and Logan Piper. The recruiting haul for the Bluejay women includes Scarlett Pearlman, Claire Pyne and Taylor Rorick.

"This class is something special," said Matthew Fayers, Creighton's assistant coach who serves as the program's recruiting coordinator. "From top to bottom they have hit some incredible times and will be able to contribute immediately. Not only have they achieved big things athletically, but they will fit right in with our team culture as fantastic students who will be great teammates. We can't wait to have them join the Bluejay family this upcoming semester!"

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

"We are super excited to have this next group of Bluejays join our program and continue to write Creighton history in cross country and track," said Gannon. "This was the first full recruiting cycle for Coach Fayers in his role as recruiting coordinator and he brought in some incredible young men and women who will further elevate our program. It is probably beginning to sound a bit redundant because we have been able to say it so many times over the last five years, but this is the fastest incoming class in school history. Beyond their times on the track and course, they are fantastic students and great people who will fit into the culture we have built."

Both programs will look to continue their success on-and-off the course in the school year ahead. The Bluejays have ranked in the top-three nationally for combined program GPA in four of the last five seasons, and in May rising junior Tommy Ward became the first Bluejay to qualify for the NCAA Track Regionals.

Creighton starts its 2023 fall cross country schedule on Friday, Sept. 1st in Iowa City, Iowa, at the Hawkeye Invitational.

Ryan Hendrickson, St. Thomas Moore HS, Champaign, Ill.
Was a four sport athlete in high school, receiving accolades in soccer, basketball, baseball and track. Placed 4^th at the IHSA State Track Championships 800m as a junior and 5^th as a senior with a lifetime best of 1:55.01.

Evan Kraus, Erie HS, Erie, Colo.
Kraus showed incredible range as a senior, running the 11^th fastest cross country time in state history at 14:58 in the fall and running sub50 in the 400 as a member of his school's 4x4 relay. Kraus placed 4^th in the 800, 5^th in the 3200 and 7^th in the 1600 with the 4x4 relay taking 5^th. His PR's of 1:54.45, 4:16.66 and 9:19.60 were all run at altitude. Kraus was also named the MileSplit National Athlete of the Week as a senior.

Tommy Murray, Riverdale HS, Port Byron, Ill.
As a senior Murray was the IHSA State Champ on the track over 1600 and 3200, while placing 3^rd at the cross country state championships. A small school product, Murray often ran a full load at meets and lost only one race during his senior track season. He recorded best times of 4:16.02 and 9:14.72 during his final season.

Scarlett Pearlman, Shawnee Mission East HS, Roeland Park, Kan.
As a senior, was 7^th in the Kansas 6A Cross Country State Championships and 6^th in the Kansas 3200 6A State Track Championships, running 11:01.91. She also ran 5:14.78 for the 1600. Pearlman also competed at Nike Outdoor Nationals following her senior season.

Logan Piper, Indianola HS, Indianola, Iowa
Piper comes to the Bluejays from Indianola, Iowa, where he was a 400m hurdle standout. Piper placed 3^rd in the event at the Iowa state track championships as a senior and 2^nd as a junior. His time of 53.33 for the 400 hurdles ranked 23^rd nationally for the class of '23. Piper also competed in basketball and cross country during his high school career.

Blair Ptacek, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan.
As a senior, was 6^th in the Kansas 6A Cross Country State Championships, was the KU Relays Steeple Chase Champion with a time of 6:24.04, ran 4:21.77 for 1600 and 9:19.60 for 3200. Ptacek also competed at Nike Outdoor Nationals following his senior season.

Claire Pyne, Downers Grove North HS, Downers Grove, Ill.
Pyne finished 45^th at the IHSA state cross country championship, as a senior, and was 67^th during her junior season. As a junior she notched an 11:05.95 performance at the IHSA Regional in the 3200 and placed 27^th at the state meet. Pyne missed most of her senior track season due to injury.

Taylor Rorick, Valor Christian HS, Castle Pines, Colo.
Rorick joins the Bluejay program from the powerhouse program of Valor Christian. As a senior, she placed 13^th at the Colorado state championships for cross country and 17^th in the 3200 at the state track meet. She also placed 16^th in the 3200 as a junior and 27^th in cross country that same year. During her time at Valor she was a member of multiple podium teams at state meets. She ran PRs of 17:51.60 5k cross country, 11.00.77 and 5:13.81 at altitude as a senior.

Players Mentioned

Ryan Hendrickson

Evan Kraus

Tommy Murray

Scarlett Pearlman

Logan Piper

Blair Ptacek

Claire Pyne

Taylor Rorick

Tommy Ward

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