Beavers Add Seven to 2018 Class

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Head Coach Louie Quintana of the Oregon State University track & field and cross country programs announced the addition of seven members to the Beaver family from the 2018 signing class on Thursday.

"We are extremely excited about our early period signing class," began first year head coach Louie Quintana. "Obviously, final evaluation will be on how we develop these athletes over the next four years, but our initial reactions are genuine excitement and enthusiasm over the quality and accomplishments of this tremendous group of future Beaver student-athletes.

"Our staff, Dave Dumble and Pete Herber, worked diligently to help put together a diverse group that will help continue to elevate our program. It's a great first step getting these seven commitments and we are working hard to continue to add more in the spring."

Grace Fetherstonhaugh – Distance/Steeplechase, New Westminster, British Columbia (New Westminster High School)

"I chose Oregon State University because I was really excited to hear about the short and long term goals that coach Quintana has for the cross country and middle distance track team," said Fetherstonhaugh. "I want to be a part of this; I loved the team dynamic and the community outreach programs that the student-athletes are involved in. I'm also looking forward to pursuing my academic goals at Oregon State. Obviously, Corvallis is a beautiful place to live as well."

Once of the best steeplechase/distance runners in Canada, Grace will come to Corvallis and have an immediate impact. Fetherstonhaugh holds personal records of 4:31.49, 1,500-meters; 9:33.71, 3,000-meters; 10:15.32, 3,000-meter Steeplechase; and 17:22, 5,000-meters, cross country.

"I have had some experience working with talented Steeplechase athletes in the past and Grace was someone who stood out immediately in the recruiting process," said Quintana. "She has run 10:15 for 3K Steeplechase and I believe she is just scratching the surface on what she can do. She has tremendous range from the 1500m all the way to cross country and she is committed to putting this program on the map. We are thrilled to welcome Grace to Beaver Nation!"

Haley Wolf – Distance, Mesa, Ariz. (Desert Vista High School)
"I chose Oregon State University because I immediately fell in love with the campus and friendly community there," said 2018 recruit Haley Wolf. "Coach Quintana won me over with this incredible enthusiasm and positive support. He is a proven coach as he develops athletes to their full potential and is well liked by his current and previous athletes.

"I'm also excited to be a part of a growing program with great teammates, under a great coach."

2017 Arizona High School State Cross Country champion Haley Wolf brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Oregon State family. The Mesa, Ariz. native holds personal records of 4:36.06, 1,500-meters; 4:58.30, 1,600-meters; 10:44.06, 3,200-meters; 17:21, 5,000-meters, cross country.

"I have had the chance to watch Haley compete over the years and what has stood out is her natural gate and running movement," said Quintana. "She has clearly had great success in the sport and understands the commitment necessary to elevate a team. I identified Haley quickly as an important piece to our program development. I'm so please to have someone of her talent and character join the Oregon State Track and Field/Cross Country family."

Mari Friedman – Distance, Santa Cruz, Calif. (Santa Cruz High School)

"I chose Oregon State because I want to be a part of the Beaver family, and I believe in the direction of the program," said recruit Mari Friedman about why she chose OSU.

The second place finished at the 2016 California State Cross Country Championships, Friedman brings more than long distance talent to the table. She holds personal records of 2:09.08, 800-meters, 4:55.93, 1,600-meters, 10:53.14, 3,200-meters; 17:38, 5,000-meters, cross country.

"It was important to me to find someone with a diversified track and field skill set within this recruiting class. In Mari, I found so much more," stated Quintana. "Not only has she split 0:55-seconds for the 400-meters, but she was a finalist in the California state meet in the 800-meters (2:09), and she was also 2nd in the California state meet in cross country over the 5,000-meter distance.

"She's enthusiastic about the sport, loves to run, and loves to compete even more. She is a tremendous addition to this program."

Lexy Hayes – Distance, Demascus, Ore. (Clackamas High School"

Lexy Hayes brings her size and talent to Corvallis from just up the road in Demascus, Ore. Hayes holds personal records of 4:43.43, 1,500-meters; 10:36.98, 3,000-meters. Recruiting great athletes from the state of Oregon is a critical part of Quintana's plan.

"It will continue to be important to recruit the state of Oregon well," began Quintana. "What stood out to me about Lexy was her size [5'10"] and her limited training continuity during her high school career. She has grown up loving Oregon State and we are excited to watch her develop over the next several years.

"She is understanding of the process and the commitment to helping this program get to the NCAA Cross Country Championships. I am very pleased to add Lexy to this fine recruiting class."

Darian Hageman – Jumps, Astoria, Ore. (Astoria High School)

"I chose OSU because I loved their team vibe and it was somewhere I could see myself growing," said recruit Darian Hageman. "I also grew up in a Beaver fan household, so it's always been a college I have wanted to go to."

A six-time Oregon state champion, Hageman will have an immediate impact on the Oregon State track and field program. She holds personal records of 5' 8" in the high jump; 18' 3" in the long jump; 38' 6.5: in the triple jump.

Emma Nelson – Jumps, Chugiak, Alaska (Chugiak High School)

"I chose Oregon State University for its excellent kinesiology undergraduate program, plentiful academic resources for student athletes, and finally the women's track team," said recruit Emma Nelson. "The women's track team had an appealing positive atmosphere with coaches who were simply kind, knowledgeable, and eager to guide their athletes to success. I chose OSU for the promising future I believe I can achieve by attending here."

A two-time Alaska state champion in the long jump, and 2017 Oregon Relays High Jump Champion, Nelson brings the talent and character needed to succeed. She holds personal records of 5' 6.5" in the high jump; 18' 0.25" in the long jump; 37' 10" in the triple jump.

Assistant coach Pete Herber had this to say about Nelson and Hageman. "I am very happy to add two jumpers with the versatility of Emma and Darian. Both girls are tremendous competitors, each having won multiple state championships."

"Emma has put up some good numbers in a season that's only 6-8 weeks long," said Herber. "I really feel that she will show some big improvements once she get into our training group. There is a big upside with her which is very exciting for the program.

"Darian is another girl who has a tremendous upside," stated Herber. "She's coming off a season where she dealt with some nagging injuries and still competed very well at the State Championships winning two events. I am expecting to see some big things from her this season and as she moves into the program next fall."

Jordynn Slater – Throws, La Pine, Ore. (La Pine High School)

Slater's thoughts on joining Beaver Nation. "I decided to choose OSU because of the beautiful campus, the nice faculty that really cares for their students, and the positive and exciting energy I felt."

The second highest rated recruit in the country, Slater holds a personal record of 153' 0". She is a two-time Oregon state champion in the javelin, and state champion in the shot put.

"We are very excited about bringing Jordynn on board to our program," said associate head coach David Dumble. "She is the No. 2 returning javelin thrower in the nation.

"Jordynn is very versatile as she is a two-time state champion in the javelin and a state champion in the shot put. Jordynn is a multi-sport athlete at the high school level and we look forward to her development in the throws once she starts training year round. We are building a very strong throwing program at Oregon State University and securing the top javelin thrower in the state speaks volumes to the direction of our track and field program."

Follow Us on Social
For more information on the Oregon State women's cross country team, visit OSUBeavers.com or follow the team's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/BeaverTFXC, on Facebook at Facebook.com/BeaverTFXC, or on Instagram at Instagram.com/BeaverTFXC.

Oregon State Athletics' Everyday Champions Culture
Through the power of sport, we help people discover and pursue their passions, talents and purpose in order to live a life of balance and positive contribution.

Related News

Related Videos