May 14, 2007

FAIRBANKS, Alaska -Alaska Nanooks head cross country coach Scott Jerome announced that Michael Dunahoe of Anchorage, Alaska has signed a National Letter of Intent to run for the men's team this fall.

"I anticipate that Michael will make an immediate impact on our team," Jerome said. "He will likely be on of our top five men and will set the standard for this squad."

A senior at Robert Service High School, Dunahoe has excelled as one of the top Region IV prep runners in the state. A two-year captain, he was the fastest runner in both his junior and senior seasons and two-time Most Valuable Player for the Cougars cross country team.

He achieved his career best time in cross country at the 2006 Region IV State Championships, finishing the 5K race in a time of 16:55. Dunahoe recorded back-to-back top-10 finishes at the State Championships in Soldotna in 2005 and 2006, finishing eighth and seventh, respectively.

Dunahoe also participated for the Cougars Track team, competing in the 800m and 1600m events. He ran his personal record in the 1600m with a time of 4:55 at the 2005 Bartlett Invite. A year later at the same meet, Dunahoe clocked a 2:01 in the 800m for his career record.

In addition to being an outstanding runner for Service, Dunahoe also participated on three other varsity sports for the Cougars throughout his four-year career. He was a three-year defenseman for the Service hockey team, a three-year midfielder for the soccer team, and also raced for one year with the cross county skiing team during his junior year.

His love for sports extends beyond the high school venues, having been active in club hockey, soccer and swimming. He played six seasons of competitive hockey in the Eagle River Glacier Hockey Association, being named the most improved player three seasons running (2004-07) and the most valuable player during the 2005-06 season.

"We are basically creating a new program," said Jerome. "Though the team has been running for years, we have largely relied on the skiers to fill the roster. By signing Michael the university has committed itself to a new way of doing things. Cross country is becoming a more legitimate program."

Dunahoe plans to study civil engineering at UAF. He is the first men's cross country running recruit to sign for the Nanooks and the 2007-08 season.

"This is the first year in recent memory, perhaps ever, that we have had any scholarship money for men's cross country," said Jerome. "Michael is the first runner we have signed for men's cross country. This is a huge step forward for our team and our future recruiting efforts."