LORETTO, Pa. (July 29, 2008) – Saint Francis University head men's and women's track & field and cross country coach, Felix Moreno, has announced that 24 graduating high school seniors will join his teams for the 2008-09 academic school year.

Calley Bridges (Slippery Rock, Pa./Slippery Rock) (Prospect, Pa. / Slippery Rock), Nicole Brownyard (Carlisle, Pa./Trinity) (Carlisle, Pa. / Trinity), Brittany Busse (North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted) (North Olmsted, Ohio / North Olmsted), Katie Cianci (Greenville, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) (Greenville, Pa. / Kennedy Catholic), Kate Kendrick (United), Kayla Kline (Ebensburgh, Pa./Cambria Heights) (Cambria Heights), Lauren Krug (Ashville, Pa./Penn Cambria) (Ashville, Pa. / Penn Cambria), Julia Morey (Johnstown, Pa. / Bishop McCort), Skye Sankey (Butler, Pa./Butler) (Butler, Pa. / Butler), and Christy Staily (Martinsburg, Pa. / Central) will all join the Red Flash women's teams.

Tony Armstead (Harrisburg), Wesley Buehler (Fredonia, N.Y. / Fredonia), Zachary Burns (Milford, Pa. / Delaware Valley), Ryan DuBois (DePaul Catholic), Lloyd Foster (Bowie, Md. / DeMatha Catholic), Kyle Gibson (Canonsburg, Pa. / Canon-McMillan), Pat Himes (Bishop Guilfoyle), Brian Kealey (Southampton, Pa. / Archbishop Wood), Adam Mengel (Monaca, Pa. / Center), Chris Mills (Western Tech), Taylor Moore (Jamestown, N.Y. / Maple Grove), Shane Sigler (Sharpsville, Pa. / Sharpsville), Dustin Smith (New Castle, Pa. / Ellwood City-Lincoln), and Michael Steffenino (Arpara, Pa. / Norwin) will compete for the men's teams.

“I am very pleased to welcome this young and talented group of student-athletes to our program,” Moreno said. “They are intrinsically motivated athletes, and I do anticipate an immediate contribution to both our cross country and track & field teams.”

Four of the 10 women to join Saint Francis will compete beginning in the fall with the Red Flash cross country team. Bridges, Busse, Cianci and Krug look to help the Red Flash improve upon their five Northeast Conference Championships in the last 11 years.

Bridges competed under head coach Tony Consbruck at Slippery Rock High School, where she received all-district and all-region honors. She was also a Butler County All-Star First Team honoree, and an individual state qualifier. In track & field, Bridges was a two-time district qualifier in the 1600-meter run. She helped the Rockets win the 2005 District and Regional titles. Bridges plans to study Marketing at Saint Francis.

Busse was a standout gymnast and runner at North Olmstead High School, where she was a four-time regional qualifier under head coach Lisa Pochatek. During her senior cross country season, Busse recorded the sixth-fastest time in school history while serving as a team captain. She received the Eagle Pride Award for cross country and was a National Wendy's High School Heisman Award nominee. As a junior in 2006-07, Busse recorded the fifth-fastest time in school history and was a Junior Olympic Cross Country National Championships District champion to qualify for regionals. Busse is highly active in school activities and is her senior class treasurer. She has also been a member of the White Renaissance for academic accomplishments her first three years of high school. Busse plans to study Psychology and Exercise Physiology at Saint Francis.

Cianci ran for head coach Chris Houck at Kennedy Catholic High School, where she was a four-time regional all-star and a state qualifier as a freshman. In 2007, she was first-team all-region in the 800-meter run and second team all-region in the 4x400-meter relay. During her senior season in cross country, she was individual champion of the Hornet Harrier Invitational. Cianci, who was Kennedy Catholic's yearbook editor this year, has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. She will be an Exploratory major when she enters classes at Saint Francis in the fall.

Krug competed at nearby Penn Cambria High School while under the direction of head coaches Mike Soyka and Todd Niebauer. She was a three-time state qualifier, a two-time Altoona Mirror All-Star and its Runner-of-the-Year, and was a second-team all-star. Krug also competed for the Panthers in Track & Field and basketball. She plans to study Occupational Therapy at Saint Francis.

Brownyard will join the Saint Francis track & field team out of Trinity High School, where she ran for head coach Sam Turpin. She was a three-time district qualifier heading into her senior season, and gained momentum for her senior season by winning the District III 4x100-meter relay title as a junior. She also took third in the 300-meter hurdles, sixth in the 4x400 and seventh in the 100 hurdles. She went to the Pennsylvania State Championships and took fourth in the 4x100. Brownyard was rewarded for her strong third-year campaign by being named to the All-Sentinel Girls' Track & Field Second Team. She was also a three-time Keystone Games participant heading into her senior season. She took first in the 400 hurdles at the games in 2007 and won the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles as a sophomore. Brownyard is a member of the National Honor Society and the Key Club. She plans to study Physical Therapy at Saint Francis.

Kendrick joins the Red Flash out of United High School, where she ran track, played volleyball and was a cheerleader. While competing under head coach Chris Matava, Kendrick won several events, including the Heritage Conference and District 6 titles in the Discus. She took third at the PIAA Championships, and won individual titles at the Igloo Meet and the Indiana County Championships. She also received the Bellwood-Antis Invitational Most Outstanding Field Athlete award. A member of the United High Honor Roll and the National Honors Society, she had the best hitting percentage and most aces for the Lions' volleyball team. Kendrick will enter the Saint Francis Physician Assistant program in the fall.

Kline is a 2008 graduate of nearby Cambria Heights High School, where she was a four-year letterwinner in both volleyball and track & field. She will participate in both volleyball and track & field at SFU. She was a four-year District 6 championship qualifier, and an 18th-place finisher in the 300-meter hurdles at the PIAA Championships. She qualified for the PIAA Championships by winning the District 6 title in the 300-meter hurdles after previously winning the Laurel Highlands Athletics Conference championship. During her freshman season, she set the school record in the event, which was set at Bishop Carroll. Kline was the 2006 Cambria Heights team MVP, while also receiving the co-Coaches award. In 2007, she received the High Jump and 100-meter hurdle awards. As a senior, Kline was a team captain while winning the conference and District 6 300-meter hurdle titles. She is a two-time honorable mention Altoona Mirror Track & Field all-star. In volleyball, Kline was a two-time team captain, as well as a two-time honoree as team MVP and LHAC all-conference accolades. Outside the athletic field of competition, she has served as volunteer with functions for Holy Name Catholic Church, Carrolltown Volunteer Fire Company, Saint Benedict Catholic Church and the American Red Cross blood drives. While at Cambria Heights, Kline was vice president of the Highlander Yearbook Club, vice president of the Quill & Scribe Club, and a member of student council. She will enter Saint Francis as an Elementary-Special Education major.
                
Morey is a multiple-sport athlete out of Bishop McCort High School where she ran for head coach Greg Bixel. She was two-time all-conference and competed at the state championships on four occasions. She also holds the District 6 4x100-meter relay record. Morey is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She was two-time all-conference and an all-district honoree in volleyball, and helped the Crimson Crusher's girls' basketball team reach the PIAA western final. Morey's uncle Dennis J. Leck graduated from Saint Francis in 1974. Morey plans to major in accounting at Saint Francis.

Sankey joins the Red Flash out of Butler High School where she ran for head coaches Rod Harris and Paul Schwab. She was a 2008 Pennsylvania state finalist in the Pole Vault, and was undefeated in dual meets during the 2007 and 2008 track seasons. In 2007, Sankey took fifth at the USATF National Track Championships. Sankey is an honor student and plans to major in Physical Therapy at Saint Francis.

Staily is from nearby Central High School, where she ran sprints and hurdles under head coach Jerome Conlan. She received a total of 11 letters in high school in track & field and cheerleading. Staily set the school record in the 100-meter hurdles in 15.08 seconds, and also holds the school record in the 4x100-meter relay with a time of 49.99. She was a Mountain League All-Star, a Laurel Highlands All-Star and an Altoona Mirror Track All-Star. She also received the Coach's Achievement Award. Staily is also an outstanding student as a member of the National Honor Society. She was a Heisman nominee, a member of Who's Who Among American High School students, and a senior student ambassador. Staily will enter Saint Francis as an Exploratory major.

Moreno is bringing in a class of 12 student-athletes who will run for the traditionally strong Red Flash cross country team.

Buehler ran for three county championship teams and a section champion at Fredonia High School in New York. He helped guide the Hillbillie's to a 32-0 overall record. He received the school's most improved cross country award his junior season, and the most improved track athlete his sophomore and junior years. His top time in the 3,200-meter run has been clocked at 10:10, and he ran the 800 meters in 2:07. Buehler was a New York State finalist in cross country in his junior and senior seasons, and was a co-MVP of his squad during his senior year. A three-sport athlete in cross country, swimming and track & field, he was a Business Quarterly Star, and a member of the Merit Roll. Buehler plans to study Business at Saint Francis.

Burns ran cross country and track & field at Delaware Valley High School under the guidance of head coaches Sean Giblin and Gary Dennis. A three-time Lackawanna League First Team cross country all-star, he has been timed at 4:35 in the 1600 meters, and 9:55 in the 3200 meters. Burns, who was a two-time cross country captain, was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Society, for which he was the secretary. Burns plans to study English-Secondary Education at Saint Francis.

Foster won three conference titles while running for head coach Anthony Bryant at DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland. He was an all-state honoree in the 800 meters, and was ranked fourth in the event as a junior. Foster holds the school record in the 1,000 meters. He took third place in the 10th grade Science Fair. Foster plans to study Computer Science at SFU.

Kyle Gibson won county and section championships while running for head coaches Jeff Gibson and Mark Galley at Canon-McMillan High School. Kyle Gibson was the Almanac Track & Field Athlete-of-the-Year, and received the Observor Reporter Athlete-of-the-Week award. He holds the school's cross country course record, and helped the Big Mac's to a 12-0 record. Gibson is a member of the National Honors Society, as well as the German Honors Society. He plans to study Education at Saint Francis. Gibson's mother, Diane, and sister, Taryn, both graduated from Saint Francis. Diane was an assistant track coach at SFU.

Kealey competed for head coach Betty Doyle at Archbishop Wood High School, where he helped the Vikings to the 2006 4x400 title at the PCL Penn Relays. A team captain, he was first team all-Catholic League in cross country, and a three-time all-PCL selection in wrestling. He is a member of the wrestling squad's 100-win club, finished sixth at state preps, was a two-time team captain, and qualified for national preps on the mats. Kealey was a two-time all-Catholic honoree in track, and set the freshman record in cross country. He received first academic honors throughout high school. Kealey plans to study Business at SFU.

Mengel attended Center High School, where he ran cross country and track for head coach Allison Churovia. Mengel was a two-year team captain and a two-year PIAA state qualifier in cross country, as well as a two-year PIAA state qualifier in the 1600 meters. He set the school's One Mile record at 4:36.95, and helped the Trojans to a WPIAL runner up in track in 2006. Mengel was the first Central male to medal at WPIALs, and he is a member of Who's Who Among American High School Students. Mengel will enter Saint Francis as an Exploratory major.

Mills attended Western School of Technology, where he won county, regional and state titles under head coach Shedrick Elliot III. Mills was a four-time cross country team MVP, a two-time indoor track & field team MVP, and the 2007 outdoor MVP, as well as a recipient of the 2004-05 Sportsmanship Award. He was the 2008 Maryland state champion in the outdoor 2-mile run, and a regional champion in cross country, as well as the indoor and outdoor 1600- and 3200-meter runs. Mills owns the Western School of Technology school records for the outdoor 1600 (4:28.98) and 3200 runs (9:43.69). He was the Treasurer of the National Honors Society, and was the first student-athlete from Western School of Technology to participate in the Boston Marathon. He won the 15- to 19-year-old age group at the Philadelphia Marathon. He ran both marathons in under three hours. Mills is planning to receive his degree in Accounting from SFU.

Moore graduated from Maple Grove High School, where he competed in cross country, wrestling and track & field. Under the guidance of head coach Doc Rappole, he received the Coach's Award, team MVP honors, and Scholar-Athlete of the Week accolades for cross country and track & field. He competed in the 800-meter run, the 4x400 meter relay and the 4x800 meter relay for the Red Dragons. Moore plans to study Secondary Education at SFU.

Sigler joins the Red Flash out of Sharpsville High School where he was a standout cross country and track & field athlete under head coach Pete Vilasi. Sigler was a two-year team captain for the cross country team, and was a first team all-county selection all four years. He took fourth in Region I as a freshman and junior, second as a sophomore and fifth as a senior. He was a three-time PIAA state qualifier in cross country. In track & field, Sigler took first at the MCAC meet in the 800 meters in both 2006 and 2007, and took second at the District 10 meet as part of the 1600-meter relay team to qualify for states. He received the 2004 American Legion School Award for courage, leadership, honor, scholarship and service, and was his senior class homecoming king. He was also voted the most athletic male in the class of 2008. Sigler plans to study Business Administration at Saint Francis.

Smith was a member of the Ellwood City-Lincoln High School District VII championship team in 2005. He ran cross country and track & field for head coaches Mark Hall and Al Campman. Smith was a team captain, and ran the 5,000 meters in 16:50. He plans to study Physical Therapy at SFU.

Armstead and Steffenino will join the Red Flash as a member of the track & field team. Armstead will run sprints, while Steffenino will be a pole vaulter.

Armstead, who will also be a defensive back on the Red Flash football team, competed at Harrisburg High School where he won the 2008 PIAA state title in the 4x100-meter relay. He also helped the Cougar football team to conference and district championships as a quarterback and kick returner. Armstead plans to study Psychology at Saint Francis.

Steffenino competed for head coach Trinity Morgan at Norwin High School, where he finished fourth in the pole vault at the 2007 WPIAL finals and eight at the PIAA Championships. At the 2008 PTFCA Indoor Championships, he took second place, and also took first at the Latrobe Invitational. Steffenino's personal record in the pole vault is 15-feet, 6-inches, which is the indoor school record. He is also tied for the outdoor record at 15'0”, and set the Latrobe Invite record at 14'7”. Steffenino plans to study Environmental Science at Saint Francis.

Ryan DuBois and Pat Himes are two other student-athletes who will enter their first season at Saint Francis University in the fall. Their bio information was not available.