Photo by: UCR Athletics Media Relations
UC Riverside Cross Country/Track & Field Announces Signings
8/12/2010 12:12:02 PM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track and Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field
UC Riverside Director of Cross Country And Track & Field Irv Ray announced today the signing of 12 student-athletes who will begin competing for the Highlanders in 2010-11.
Women
Alisha Brown
Madera South High School, Madera, CA – Alisha comes from Central California where she was the 2009 Division 3 Central Section Champion in XC. This was her 3rd appearance at the CIF State XC meet of her high school career. She also qualified for the 2010 California State Meet in both the 800m and 1600m. Her lifetime best are 2:11.92 for the 800m and 4:56.77 for the 1600m, while in XC she has run 17:43 for 3 miles and 18:32 at the Woodward Park 5k XC course.
“Alisha comes to us with impressive credentials in all her races. She will be strong addition to the front end our women’s XC team and contribute on the track in the middle distances. Look for her at the top of the Big West Conference in either the 800m or 1500m races.”
Raquel Hefflin
Beverly Hills High School, Compton, CA – Raquel or “Rockie” hails from Beverly Hills HS were she just completed a stellar senior season. She rode her 800m racing success all the way to the California State Meet Finals where she finished 6th in 2:11.12 which is her lifetime best. After the state meet she was the Golden West Invitational 800m Champion. She also has some XC experience with an 18:48 clocking at the famed Mt. Sac XC course.
“Raquel comes to us as the fastest 800m runner out of high school we have ever signed. Look for her to be a Big West Champion in the near future. She has an electrifying finish to her races that will be fun to watch. Her family upbringing has prepared her well for this next step.”
Michelle Hernandez
Vista Murrieta High School, Murrieta, CA – Michelle joins the UCR program from nearby powerhouse Vista Murrieta where she ran for Karen Candeale. Her team finished 8th at the State Meet in Fresno this past fall. Her best XC race is 18:28 for 3 miles and in track 5:24 for 1600m.
“Michelle comes to us having run the 1600m and 3200m in high school but a move to the 5k/10k is likely. Her team in high school was very large so our individualized approach will enable her to succeed at the collegiate level. She comes to us ready and excited to train and compete for UCR.”
Danielle Littleton
Vista High School, Oceanside, CA – This 3 time San Diego section champion qualified for state in each of the last 2 years. Danielle comes from Trevor Sybert’s Vista HS team in North San Diego County. She qualified in both the long jump and 100m hurdles each year and the 300m hurdles as well her junior season. She was a State Meet finalist in the short hurdle event each season finishing 8th at this year’s meet. Her best mark in the 100m hurdles - 14.13, 300m hurdles - 44.30, and a long jump of 18-07.75.
“Danielle is one of the finest talents I have had the pleasure of signing. She has performed at a very high level already. The sky is the limit for her in the hurdle events and the long jump. Coach Basler is thrilled for the opportunity to coach someone of her caliber. She comes from a fantastic family and has wonderful support from her parents. She will step in right away and contribute points to our team in the hurdles and long jump.”
Angela Liou
Arcadia High School, Arcadia, CA – Angela is from the great program at Arcadia HS and joins former Arcadia teammates Karen Han and Ted Hooper in attending UCR after high school. She is primarily a 100m/200m runner but also ran on their 4x400m relay team. She ran 12.30 in the 100m at the Pacific League Finals and 12.25w at CIF Prelims. She also has a 25.80 200m time to her credit.
“Angela is a true student of her sport. She loves to compete in track & field having did club track for several years. She already has some great leg strength which we look to transfer to the track in the form of faster times and strong performances.”
Pauline Olsen
Live Oak High School, Morgan Hill, CA - Pauline has primarily run the 400m during her high school career. She finished 10th in the Central Coast Section in the 400m this past spring. She has run 58.30 for the 400m this year which is her best.
“Pauline has expressed a desire to move up to the 800m race distance during her college career. Her previous experience at the 400m should transfer to some solid 800m times with appropriate training.”
Men
Uchenna Anyadiegwu
Buchanan High School, Clovis, CA – Uchenna comes to us from Central Section and Fresno area power Buchanan HS. He primarily ran the 400m and both relays for the Bears. His 400m time of 49.38 was ranked in the top 10 in the Central section this year.
“Uchenna adds to our depth at the 400m race distance. With 2 guys returning that scored at the conference meet last year, he will have a great training group to learn from. Coming from a great program like Buchanan will have him prepared to make the jump to Division 1 level training.”
Hernell Dyer
El Camino College, Gardena, CA – 100m/200m
“Hernell returns to competitive track & field after a brief hiatus. He has some natural speed instincts and has kept himself strong and fit while he wasn’t competing. We look forward to the contributions that he can make to our program.”
Justin Harris
Upland High School, Upland, CA – Justin hails from Mike Wilson’s squad at Upland HS. He is one the premier short sprint talents in the Inland Empire. His times are 10.63 for 100m and 21.44 for the 200m; the 200m time was the 12th best time in the State of California this year. He was also the USATF Junior Olympic Region 15 100m champion during July of this year.
“Justin is the best short sprint recruit I have ever signed. He has tremendous natural speed and will improve our men’s team with his presence. He turned down some other well known programs to become a Highlander. He will help us immediately in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.”
Benjamin Heck
Carlmont High School, Belmont, CA – This Central Coast section distance athlete finished 2nd at the Central Coast Section Finals this past fall, qualifying for the State XC Meet in the process. His 3 mile time of 15:26 is his XC best. Later ran 9:35 for a two-mile race during the track season.
“Ben is excited about the opportunity to make our men’s XC team. He has run at the California State Meet and has a respectable 3 mile PR. With our training and his commitment he will improve as a Highlander.”
Seth Totten
Golden Valley High School, Santa Clarita, CA – This Santa Clarita area star comes our way from the up and coming program at Golden Valley HS where he was mentored by the Evans brothers. Seth is a 2 time State XC qualifier where he finished 5th as a junior and 7th this past year as a senior – which was his 5k XC best at 15:24. Early in his XC season he ran his 3 mile best of 14:34 at the Woodbridge Invitational. During track season he advanced to the CIF Southern Section Finals in the 3200m, along the way he lowered his 3200m best to 9:20 and 1600m to 4:24.
“Seth has been well prepared by his high school coaches (Rob & Chris Evans) for this level. He comes from a fantastic family environment and is one of the most mature high school seniors I have ever met. He wants to run fast, period. Coach Ray and I are thrilled to start working with him and he will be a major player for us in XC and in the longer distances (5k/10k) on the track.”
Demetri Wilright
Franklin High School, Elk Grove, CA – Demetri is primarily an 800m runner that also ran on Franklin’s 4x400m relay team. He’s a bright student that got accepted into the Bournes College of Engineering. Has an older brother, Alex that runs hurdles for Big West foe UC Davis.
“We are excited about the potential that Demetri has for improvement in the 800m race distance. He comes from a track family and is eager to learn and train at a higher level so he can be a difference maker for us. We are excited that he chose our Engineering program and our track program as well.”
Women
Alisha Brown
Madera South High School, Madera, CA – Alisha comes from Central California where she was the 2009 Division 3 Central Section Champion in XC. This was her 3rd appearance at the CIF State XC meet of her high school career. She also qualified for the 2010 California State Meet in both the 800m and 1600m. Her lifetime best are 2:11.92 for the 800m and 4:56.77 for the 1600m, while in XC she has run 17:43 for 3 miles and 18:32 at the Woodward Park 5k XC course.
“Alisha comes to us with impressive credentials in all her races. She will be strong addition to the front end our women’s XC team and contribute on the track in the middle distances. Look for her at the top of the Big West Conference in either the 800m or 1500m races.”
Raquel Hefflin
Beverly Hills High School, Compton, CA – Raquel or “Rockie” hails from Beverly Hills HS were she just completed a stellar senior season. She rode her 800m racing success all the way to the California State Meet Finals where she finished 6th in 2:11.12 which is her lifetime best. After the state meet she was the Golden West Invitational 800m Champion. She also has some XC experience with an 18:48 clocking at the famed Mt. Sac XC course.
“Raquel comes to us as the fastest 800m runner out of high school we have ever signed. Look for her to be a Big West Champion in the near future. She has an electrifying finish to her races that will be fun to watch. Her family upbringing has prepared her well for this next step.”
Michelle Hernandez
Vista Murrieta High School, Murrieta, CA – Michelle joins the UCR program from nearby powerhouse Vista Murrieta where she ran for Karen Candeale. Her team finished 8th at the State Meet in Fresno this past fall. Her best XC race is 18:28 for 3 miles and in track 5:24 for 1600m.
“Michelle comes to us having run the 1600m and 3200m in high school but a move to the 5k/10k is likely. Her team in high school was very large so our individualized approach will enable her to succeed at the collegiate level. She comes to us ready and excited to train and compete for UCR.”
Danielle Littleton
Vista High School, Oceanside, CA – This 3 time San Diego section champion qualified for state in each of the last 2 years. Danielle comes from Trevor Sybert’s Vista HS team in North San Diego County. She qualified in both the long jump and 100m hurdles each year and the 300m hurdles as well her junior season. She was a State Meet finalist in the short hurdle event each season finishing 8th at this year’s meet. Her best mark in the 100m hurdles - 14.13, 300m hurdles - 44.30, and a long jump of 18-07.75.
“Danielle is one of the finest talents I have had the pleasure of signing. She has performed at a very high level already. The sky is the limit for her in the hurdle events and the long jump. Coach Basler is thrilled for the opportunity to coach someone of her caliber. She comes from a fantastic family and has wonderful support from her parents. She will step in right away and contribute points to our team in the hurdles and long jump.”
Angela Liou
Arcadia High School, Arcadia, CA – Angela is from the great program at Arcadia HS and joins former Arcadia teammates Karen Han and Ted Hooper in attending UCR after high school. She is primarily a 100m/200m runner but also ran on their 4x400m relay team. She ran 12.30 in the 100m at the Pacific League Finals and 12.25w at CIF Prelims. She also has a 25.80 200m time to her credit.
“Angela is a true student of her sport. She loves to compete in track & field having did club track for several years. She already has some great leg strength which we look to transfer to the track in the form of faster times and strong performances.”
Pauline Olsen
Live Oak High School, Morgan Hill, CA - Pauline has primarily run the 400m during her high school career. She finished 10th in the Central Coast Section in the 400m this past spring. She has run 58.30 for the 400m this year which is her best.
“Pauline has expressed a desire to move up to the 800m race distance during her college career. Her previous experience at the 400m should transfer to some solid 800m times with appropriate training.”
Men
Uchenna Anyadiegwu
Buchanan High School, Clovis, CA – Uchenna comes to us from Central Section and Fresno area power Buchanan HS. He primarily ran the 400m and both relays for the Bears. His 400m time of 49.38 was ranked in the top 10 in the Central section this year.
“Uchenna adds to our depth at the 400m race distance. With 2 guys returning that scored at the conference meet last year, he will have a great training group to learn from. Coming from a great program like Buchanan will have him prepared to make the jump to Division 1 level training.”
Hernell Dyer
El Camino College, Gardena, CA – 100m/200m
“Hernell returns to competitive track & field after a brief hiatus. He has some natural speed instincts and has kept himself strong and fit while he wasn’t competing. We look forward to the contributions that he can make to our program.”
Justin Harris
Upland High School, Upland, CA – Justin hails from Mike Wilson’s squad at Upland HS. He is one the premier short sprint talents in the Inland Empire. His times are 10.63 for 100m and 21.44 for the 200m; the 200m time was the 12th best time in the State of California this year. He was also the USATF Junior Olympic Region 15 100m champion during July of this year.
“Justin is the best short sprint recruit I have ever signed. He has tremendous natural speed and will improve our men’s team with his presence. He turned down some other well known programs to become a Highlander. He will help us immediately in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.”
Benjamin Heck
Carlmont High School, Belmont, CA – This Central Coast section distance athlete finished 2nd at the Central Coast Section Finals this past fall, qualifying for the State XC Meet in the process. His 3 mile time of 15:26 is his XC best. Later ran 9:35 for a two-mile race during the track season.
“Ben is excited about the opportunity to make our men’s XC team. He has run at the California State Meet and has a respectable 3 mile PR. With our training and his commitment he will improve as a Highlander.”
Seth Totten
Golden Valley High School, Santa Clarita, CA – This Santa Clarita area star comes our way from the up and coming program at Golden Valley HS where he was mentored by the Evans brothers. Seth is a 2 time State XC qualifier where he finished 5th as a junior and 7th this past year as a senior – which was his 5k XC best at 15:24. Early in his XC season he ran his 3 mile best of 14:34 at the Woodbridge Invitational. During track season he advanced to the CIF Southern Section Finals in the 3200m, along the way he lowered his 3200m best to 9:20 and 1600m to 4:24.
“Seth has been well prepared by his high school coaches (Rob & Chris Evans) for this level. He comes from a fantastic family environment and is one of the most mature high school seniors I have ever met. He wants to run fast, period. Coach Ray and I are thrilled to start working with him and he will be a major player for us in XC and in the longer distances (5k/10k) on the track.”
Demetri Wilright
Franklin High School, Elk Grove, CA – Demetri is primarily an 800m runner that also ran on Franklin’s 4x400m relay team. He’s a bright student that got accepted into the Bournes College of Engineering. Has an older brother, Alex that runs hurdles for Big West foe UC Davis.
“We are excited about the potential that Demetri has for improvement in the 800m race distance. He comes from a track family and is eager to learn and train at a higher level so he can be a difference maker for us. We are excited that he chose our Engineering program and our track program as well.”
Thursday, May 21
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Friday, May 01
Tuesday, March 24
