May 22, 2003

VILLANOVA, PA. - Villanova University head men's track & field coach Marcus O'Sullivan recently announced the signing of seven athletes to national letters of intent. These seven athletes - Bobby Curtis, Mark Korich, Kippy Keino, David Van Orsdel, Michael Kerrigan, Drew Eckman, and Jon Zacharkiw - will arrive on the Main Line in August 2003, and make up an outstanding freshmen class for O'Sullivan and the Wildcats.

"On an overall level, I am very happy with the whole recruiting class," said O'Sullivan. "On behalf of assistant coaches Antony Williams (who will get the chance to work with a fine athlete in Drew Eckman) and George Reynolds (who is bringing in a tremendous thrower in Jon Zacharkiw) and myself with the entire distance group, it is just a really good class that we are bringing in. We are all excited to have the chance to work with these kids over the next few years."

"On a direct level with the distance guys, I am more than excited," added O'Sullivan. "This is an eclectic bunch of kids in a sense that we have them from Minnesota, Kentucky, Kenya and from locally with Kerrigan and Korich. Collectively as a staff and individually as a coach (for the distance group), we are tremendously excited in the anticipation of working with these fine young individuals over the next four years."

Bobby Curtis
St. Xavier H.S.
Louisville, KY
Major: Undecided
3 Time National Champion - Mile
800 - 1:52.85
mile- 4:07.61
3200- 8:48.70
parents - Barbara Jean & Mark


Mark Korich
Springfield Twp. H.S.
Major: Engineering
PA State Champion - mile; National Indoor runner-up 800m
400 - 49.5
800 - 1:53.32
mile- 4:17.88
3200- 9:30.55
parents - Elijah and Truphena


Kippy Keino
Fork Union Military Academy, Fork Union,VA
Eldoret, Kenya
Major: undecided
800 - 1:54
mile- 4:10
2mile- 9:06
5kXC- 15:01
Parents:  Phyllis and Kip (Olympic Gold Medalist)


David Van Orsdel
Hopkins H.S.
Minnetonka, MN
Major: Undecided
Footlocker National Finalist Cross Country
400 - 51.8
800 - 1:57.4
1600- 4:16.5
3200- 9:34
5kXC- 15:39
Parents - Scott Van Orsdel and Lil Lundeen


Michael Kerrigan
Blair Academy, NJ
Stroudsburg, PA
Major: Business
Led off Penn Relays DMR, handed off in 1st.  split 3:05
1200m- 3:05
1600m- 4:17
Parents: James and Vivianne


Drew Eckman
Oxford H.S.
Oxford, PA
Major: Biology
Pennsylvania State Champion and Indoor Record Holder 400m
US Indoor All-American
300M IH - 37.39
400m    - 47.49
Parents:  Cheryl & Greg (father was a member of Nova's track team,
running the 400m and 400H)


Jon Zacharkiw
Unionville H.S.
West Chester, PA
Shot put - 55'  7-1/2"
Discus - 153' 9"
two time - Southern Chester County League Champion, Shot and Discus
Parents: George and Susan