Aug. 8, 2006

OREM, Utah - Utah Valley State track and cross country coach Scott Houle has announced the signings 32 athletes for the upcoming season in the two sports.

"This is definitely the strongest recruiting class we have had with the men and women," Houle said. "We have athletes coming in that can help us in every event. We were able to recruit some kids out of the region who will come in and give us some immediate help."

The two athletes that Houle is particularly excited about are the signings of Clifton Simien and Mary Nothum.

"These two are one of the leading recruits we have brought in," Houle said.

Simien, a graduate of Hardin-Jefferson High School in Beaumont, Texas, was the 2005 3A state champion in the 400m (48.20 seconds). His personal bests times are 47.97 (400m), 21.41 (200m) and 10.77 (100m). Simien was also an All-District performer in football and basketball. He rushed for over 1500 years his senior year in football and averaged a double-double in basketball.

Nothum, who graduated from Washington High School in Missouri, was one of the top distance runners in the state. She was the 2005 4A runner-up during the cross country season with a time of 19:05. In the spring she was the 4A runner-up in the 1600 and 3200m races. She just recently finished sixth at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in the steeplechase.

Other signings include, Kim Scott (Mountain View), Jami Daniels (Bear River), Chelsi Peterson (Dixie High), Mandi Barnes (Hillcrest), Sylvia Bently (Grand County High School), Brooke Bunderson (Grantsville), Natalie Garrett (Grand County), Alise Lindsey (Snow Canyon), Tori Merrill (Logan), Monique Torres (Murray), Jessica Wortley (Skyline), Trisha Wright (Woods Cross), Brenda Giles (Normandale Community College), Erin Albee (El Toro High School, Lake Forest, CA) and Jasmine Wadsworth (Wendover High School).

Joining the team on the men's side is, Shawn Carlson (Orem), Mike Felix (American Fork), Matt Revelli (Lone Peak), Steve Smith (Pleasant Grove), Matt Williams (Lone Peak), Zach Cook (Bingham), Marshall Milligan (Viewmont), Derek Woolsey (Escalante), Kyle Callaway (Juab), Drew Clarke (Riverton), Eric Goldhardt (Riverton), James Monsen (Richfield), Skyler Penrod (Grand County), Trevor Baker (Mattawan High School, Mattawan, Michigan) and Alex Smith (Skyline High School, Boise, Idaho).