USF Cross Country/Track Announces 2006 Signings :: Byron Williams (Ridgewood, NJ), Laurel Kleiber (Plymouth, WI) and Christine Jowaiszas (Portland, OR) Sign with the Dons

Byron Williams (Ridgewood, NJ), Laurel Kleiber (Plymouth, WI) and Christine Jowaiszas (Portland, OR) Sign with the Dons

Nov. 22, 2005

(San Francisco) - USF head cross country/track coach Helen Lehman-Winters announced the signings of three of student-athletes to compete for the University of San Francisco during the 2006-2007 cross country and track season. Byron Williams (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood High School) signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) with the men's program, while Laurel Kleiber (Plymouth, WI/Plymouth High School) and Christine Jowaiszas (Portland, OR/Cleveland High School) signed with the women's squad.

After winning the 2005 New Jersey Group 4 Championships in the 1600 under the direction of Ridgewood head coach Mike Glynn, Williams posted a runner-up finish at the 2005 New Jersey Meet of Champions. Williams owns personal track bests of 4:12.71 (1600), 9:28 (3200) and 1:54.7 (800) to go along with a top cross country time of 15:43.

USF head coach Helen Lehman-Winters believes the signing of Williams, probably the highest touted incoming freshman in program history will continue to bolster the USF men's program, fresh off a runner-up finish at the 2005 West Coast Conference Championships.

"Byron is a tremendous talent. We are very excited to have one of the top returning milers in the country to help kick off our first official year of men's track. He has the ability to immediately elevate the level of distance running in our men's program," Lehman-Winters said.

Kleiber posted a fourth place finish in the 3200 at the 2005 Wisconsin State Track Championships under the tutelage of Plymouth head coach Jay Grosshuesch. Kleiber owns personal bests of 5:12 (1600), 11:09 (3200) and 14:38 (4000).

"We are thrilled to have Laurel in our program," Lehman-Winters said. "She is an aerobic talent and is extremely hardworking and highly motivated. She has the ability to step into our program and be an immediate frontrunner."

Jowaiszas is an accomplished track athlete, with outstanding potential in cross country demonstrated by a 13th place finish in the 2005 Oregon 3A State Championships. A 2005 State Meet qualifier in the 800, Jowaiszas owns personal track bests of 2:19.23 (800) and 4:55 (1500).

"Christine has improved dramatically this past fall. In only her second season of cross country, she finished 13th in the Oregon State Meet. I believe she will make tremendous improvements on the track in the spring," Lehman-Winters said.