
Zack Janulewicz, Owen Marett and Atlee Wallman
Cross Country/Track Announces Fastest Recruiting Class Yet
8/8/2025 10:55:00 AM | Men's Cross Country / Track, Women's Cross Country / Track
OMAHA, Neb. -- The Creighton men's and women's cross country and track programs continued their upward trend with the signing of its fastest class in program history.
"I think we have said it every year and I will say it once again, this is the best recruiting class in program history. Being able to say that each year, speaks volumes to the trajectory of our program and the incredible job Coach Fayers has done as our recruiting coordinator. This class is highlighted by multiple state champions and nationally-recognized athletes, including four of the fastest incoming high school recruits in school history. The most impressive part of this class is the depth of talent. In-line with our culture of excellence, this group is fantastic in the classroom and align with the Jesuit values that have drawn them to Creighton."
Assistant Coach Matthew Fayers echoed much of the same sentiment as Gannon.
"After an incredibly successful year on the track and in the classroom, it was important that this freshman class reflected the upward trajectory of our program and built on the legacy of some great student-athletes who just graduated and had a profound impact on our team. I believe that this class does that and more. I couldn't be happier that they have chosen to continue their collegiate careers at Creighton. Across the board this group had great senior years, which included multiple state championships and great improvements. One of the most exciting parts of this class showcases our continued investment on the track side of our program, especially in the hurdles and javelin!"
Men's Recruits
Michael Bianco (Lenexa, Kan. / St. James Academy) - The school record holder in the 4x800 and mile, Bianco holds the second-fastest 3,200 meter time in St. James Academy history, trailing only current Creighton senior Eli Moore. Michael also was part of the third-place 4x800 meter relay team at AAU Nationals.
Jackson Daniel (Wichita, Kan. /Â Kapaun Mount Carmel HS) - The Kansas state champion in the javelin, Daniel holds the school record in the event and finished the season ranked as the 13th-best senior nationally in the event.
Women's Recruits
"I think we have said it every year and I will say it once again, this is the best recruiting class in program history. Being able to say that each year, speaks volumes to the trajectory of our program and the incredible job Coach Fayers has done as our recruiting coordinator. This class is highlighted by multiple state champions and nationally-recognized athletes, including four of the fastest incoming high school recruits in school history. The most impressive part of this class is the depth of talent. In-line with our culture of excellence, this group is fantastic in the classroom and align with the Jesuit values that have drawn them to Creighton."
Assistant Coach Matthew Fayers echoed much of the same sentiment as Gannon.
"After an incredibly successful year on the track and in the classroom, it was important that this freshman class reflected the upward trajectory of our program and built on the legacy of some great student-athletes who just graduated and had a profound impact on our team. I believe that this class does that and more. I couldn't be happier that they have chosen to continue their collegiate careers at Creighton. Across the board this group had great senior years, which included multiple state championships and great improvements. One of the most exciting parts of this class showcases our continued investment on the track side of our program, especially in the hurdles and javelin!"
Men's Recruits
Michael Bianco (Lenexa, Kan. / St. James Academy) - The school record holder in the 4x800 and mile, Bianco holds the second-fastest 3,200 meter time in St. James Academy history, trailing only current Creighton senior Eli Moore. Michael also was part of the third-place 4x800 meter relay team at AAU Nationals.
Jackson Daniel (Wichita, Kan. /Â Kapaun Mount Carmel HS) - The Kansas state champion in the javelin, Daniel holds the school record in the event and finished the season ranked as the 13th-best senior nationally in the event.
Conor Gross (Omaha, Neb. / Westside HS) - An Omaha native, Gross finished second in the mile at the Nebraska State meet and finished third at the Nebraska State Cross Country Championship. He also holds school records at the 800 meter and 5,000 meter distances.
Gabriel Hamilton (Columbus, Ohio / Upper Arlington HS) - Hamilton finished 16th at Nike Outdoor Nationals in the 400 meter hurdles. He also owns the school record in the 400 meter hurdles.
Zack Janulewicz (Waukee, Iowa / Northwest HS) - Placed sixth in the 3,200 meters and eighth in the 1,600 at the Iowa High School State Track & Field Championships. Janulewicz owns school records in the 1,600, 3,200 and 5K in cross country.
Matthew Lindgren (Fridley, Minn. / Totino-Grace HS) - Finished sixth in the 800 at the MSHSL State Track & Field Championships, and fourth in the 1,600. Lindgren owns school records in the 800 and 1600. He was also the fastest high school miler in Minnesota in 2025.
Owen Marett (Des Moines, Iowa / Roosevelt HS) - The state champion in the 3,200 and a third-place finisher in the 1,600 at the Iowa HS State Track & Field Championships, Marett also owns school records in both events.
Kyle Nelson (Timnath, Colo. / Timnath HS) - Nelson was part of the third-place 4x400 relay team at the state meet and finished eighth in the 400 meters as well. He owns school records in the 400, 800, 4x400 and 4x800.
Connor Nicholson (Liberty, Mo / Liberty HS)Â - Was part of the fourth place 4x800 relay at the 2024 MSHSAA State Track & Field Championships.
Gabriel Hamilton (Columbus, Ohio / Upper Arlington HS) - Hamilton finished 16th at Nike Outdoor Nationals in the 400 meter hurdles. He also owns the school record in the 400 meter hurdles.
Zack Janulewicz (Waukee, Iowa / Northwest HS) - Placed sixth in the 3,200 meters and eighth in the 1,600 at the Iowa High School State Track & Field Championships. Janulewicz owns school records in the 1,600, 3,200 and 5K in cross country.
Matthew Lindgren (Fridley, Minn. / Totino-Grace HS) - Finished sixth in the 800 at the MSHSL State Track & Field Championships, and fourth in the 1,600. Lindgren owns school records in the 800 and 1600. He was also the fastest high school miler in Minnesota in 2025.
Owen Marett (Des Moines, Iowa / Roosevelt HS) - The state champion in the 3,200 and a third-place finisher in the 1,600 at the Iowa HS State Track & Field Championships, Marett also owns school records in both events.
Kyle Nelson (Timnath, Colo. / Timnath HS) - Nelson was part of the third-place 4x400 relay team at the state meet and finished eighth in the 400 meters as well. He owns school records in the 400, 800, 4x400 and 4x800.
Connor Nicholson (Liberty, Mo / Liberty HS)Â - Was part of the fourth place 4x800 relay at the 2024 MSHSAA State Track & Field Championships.
Women's Recruits
Quinn Hays (Lenexa, Kan. / St. James Academy)Â - Part of the St James track team that has won three Kansas State Championship team titles in track, Hays won the State Championship in the 4x800 relay all four years.
Reyna Heisserer (Trophy Club, Texas / Northwest Nelson HS)Â - Finished eighth at the Texas UIL State Championships in the 800, she owns the school record for 5,000 meters in cross country with a time of 17:36.
Cienna Mazotti (Albuquerque, N.M. / La Cueva HS)Â - Placed second in the high jump at the NMAA State Track and Field Championships. Also registered fourth and fifth place finishes in the100 and 300 meter hurdles, respectively, at the state meet.
Sophia Redler (North Sioux City, S.D. / Dakota Valley HS) - State Champion at the SDHSAA State Track & Field Meet in the 800 and third in the 4x800, she also placed third at the South Dakota Cross Country Championships.
Sarah Vaske (Woodbury, Minn. / Woodbury HS) - Owns the school record in the 1,600 meters. She finished 14th in her section at the NXR Heartland Regional Championships.Â
Atlee Wallman (Firth, Neb. / Norris HS) - Placed second in the 3,200 at the NSAA State Championships and fifth in the 1,600. She also placed third at the Nebraska State Cross Country Championships and won the Platte River Rumble high school title.
Reyna Heisserer (Trophy Club, Texas / Northwest Nelson HS)Â - Finished eighth at the Texas UIL State Championships in the 800, she owns the school record for 5,000 meters in cross country with a time of 17:36.
Cienna Mazotti (Albuquerque, N.M. / La Cueva HS)Â - Placed second in the high jump at the NMAA State Track and Field Championships. Also registered fourth and fifth place finishes in the100 and 300 meter hurdles, respectively, at the state meet.
Sophia Redler (North Sioux City, S.D. / Dakota Valley HS) - State Champion at the SDHSAA State Track & Field Meet in the 800 and third in the 4x800, she also placed third at the South Dakota Cross Country Championships.
Sarah Vaske (Woodbury, Minn. / Woodbury HS) - Owns the school record in the 1,600 meters. She finished 14th in her section at the NXR Heartland Regional Championships.Â
Atlee Wallman (Firth, Neb. / Norris HS) - Placed second in the 3,200 at the NSAA State Championships and fifth in the 1,600. She also placed third at the Nebraska State Cross Country Championships and won the Platte River Rumble high school title.
Players Mentioned
Creighton Cross Country Media Availability - 9/24/25
Wednesday, September 24
Creighton Cross Country Media Availability - 9/17/25
Wednesday, September 17
Creighton Cross Country Media Availability September 9
Tuesday, September 09
Creighton Cross Country's Matthew Fayers Media Availability - 9/3/25
Wednesday, September 03