Cross Country/Track and Field Inks Three Prep Standouts
Feb. 15, 2008
ST. LOUIS • Saint Louis cross country/track and field head coach Jon Bell announced today that Maria Drzcymski (Fort Dodge, Iowa / St. Edmund), Hilary Orf (Ballwin, Mo. / Marquette) and Jenna Romano (Omaha, Neb. / Millard North) have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University and run for the Billikens. The trio will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2008-09 academic year. "This is without a doubt the best cross country/track and field class ever signed at SLU," Bell said. "This group will help us take a huge step toward our goal of winning the Atlantic 10 Conference team title while also performing well at the NCAA Regionals." Drzcymski was an All-State performer in three events in 2007: the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters. She has posted personal-best times of 12.58 in the 100, 25.66 in the 200 and 58.74 in the 400. She will be a welcome addition to the track and field sprint squad that is comprised of just one competitor this indoor season. "The addition of Maria instantly gives credibility to the women's sprint corps," Bell said. "With the proper training and work ethic, I can see her becoming a major factor in the Atlantic 10 as she continues to develop." Orf is the first state champion to sign with Saint Louis cross country/track and field. As a junior, she claimed the Missouri Class 4 State Cross Country individual championship and was the runner-up her senior year. The four-time cross country state qualifier will also contribute on the track for the Billikens in distance events. Her brother, Greg, is a member of the men's cross country/track and field squads. "Hilary will come into the program and make an immediate impact as a freshman," Bell said. "In addition to her competitiveness, I'm happy that we were able to ink one of the top prep runners in the St. Louis area. That is important to us as we continue to build a competitive cross country and track and field program at Saint Louis University."
Romano was an All-State Class A performer in Nebraska running for Millard North High School. She posted a personal-best time of 2:21 in the 800 meters on the track. In cross country, she finished 31st out of nearly 100 participants at the Metro Conference Cross Country Championships. "Jenna will add depth to the 800-meter group in addition to battling for a place on the cross country squad," Bell said. "She will also be able to contribute relay legs during both the indoor and outdoor seasons." The Billikens are in their second season of participating in indoor track and field, and they begin their third year of outdoor competition in April. |
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