SFA Track and Field Inks Four
12/5/2001 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Dec. 5, 2001
NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin track and field teams signed Julian Acuna (Agua Dulce, Texas), Chance Edwards (San Saba, Texas), Teneal Manley (Brownwood, Texas) and Anna Westhoff (Edna, Texas) to National Letters of Intent announced SFA track and field head coach Phil Olson Wednesday.
"Alex Gibby has done a terrific job during the early signing period," said Olson. "He has brought in some of the state's top distance and middle-distance talent. We believe these four will help lead us to another Southland Conference title in men's cross country as well as help reach our goal of winning the conference title in women's cross country, as well as in track and field."
Acuna is a four-time class 1A state champion, having won two cross county titles in addition to his one-mile and two-mile titles. He is currently the class 1A state meet record holder in the two mile (9:22) run.
"Acuna is arguably one of the best class 1A runners in state history," said Gibby. "We are counting on him to make an immediate impact with on our cross country team."
Edwards finished third in the state in the one mile and fourth in the 800 meters as a junior and has a personal record of 1:54 in the 800m. He was the state runner-up in cross country as a junior and finished fifth this past season at the 2A meet for San Saba High.
"Edwards is a versatile runner who we think will have a more immediate impact on the track in the middle distance events," said Gibby. "I believe that he will also have a positive impact with the varsity cross country team in his first season."
Manley has recorded personal records of 5:25 in the one mile and 11:37 in the two-mile runs. As a junior, she finished third in region in both events, just missing a berth to the state meet.
"We feel fortunate to have signed Teneal," said Gibby. "She is a versatile runner who has competed in the short and long hurdles, triple jump, long jump and the mile relay at the high school level. We expect her to come in and immediately contribute to our distance teams."
Westhoff has recorded a personal record of 11:50 in the two-mile run. She finished fifth at the state cross-country meet for Vanderbilt Industrial High School.
"Anna is a solid runner and will continue to develop here in Nacogdoches," said Gibby. "I think she will surprise some people in this league next year. She is really starting to come into her own and will compete for a spot on our varsity squad."
