Feb. 12, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three standout distance runners, including a 2007 Gatorade Cross Country Athlete of the Year from Maryland, have signed national letters-of-intent with the Vanderbilt women’s cross country program, Commodore head coach Steve Keith announced today.
The 2008 signing class includes Alexa Rogers of Dakota Ridge High School in Littleton, Colo.; Jordan White, of Academy of the Holy Names in Albany, N.Y.; and Louise Hannallah of Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Md.
“We are extremely pleased to have three very high quality student-athletes commit to our women’s cross country program,” said Keith. “These young ladies will add tremendous talent and depth to an already young team that plans on running for championships in the very near future.”
“Alexa, Jordan and Louise can cover a broad range of events, from 800 meters through 5000 meters, and will be a great complement to our current squad. I believe that these three student-athletes will be a vital part of our success in the coming seasons.”
Below is a brief bio on and quotes from each runner along with remarks from Keith.
Alexa Rogers
Dakota Ridge High School, Littleton, Colo.
Rogers won the 2007 Colorado 5A State Cross Country Championship with a time of 18:41 for five kilometers. She also led Dakota Ridge to the team championship.
She posted the fastest time of the championship day of any classification and improved on her fifth place finish (19:26) as a junior in 2006. Rogers also finished fourth in both the 1600 and 3200 meters at the 5A State Track Championships as a junior, and has personal bests of 5:02 (1600) and 11:00 (3200).
Quote from Alexa:
“After all of my college research and visits, I chose Vanderbilt because it just felt right and I knew it was the school for me. The main reasons that pulled me (toward Vanderbilt) were the awesome academics, campus, and team.”
“Vanderbilt is such a good school in every aspect. Everything about Vanderbilt from the cafeteria to the dorms was beautiful! Also, the people were so friendly to me. I hope that when I come to Vanderbilt, I will be a positive influence on and off the track.”
Remarks from Coach Keith:
“With individual and team titles to her credit from this past fall in Colorado, Alexa knows what it takes to win championships and we welcome that attitude into our program. Distance running in Colorado is very competitive and challenging, especially at a 6,000-foot altitude, but Alexa has proven herself to be one of the best and I see her making an immediate contribution. We will be very young next year, but with exciting runners such as Alexa, the future looks very bright.”
Jordan White
Academy of the Holy Names, Albany, N.Y.
As recently as last month, White was fourth and sixth nationally indoors in the 800 and 1,000 meters, with personal best of 2:13.72 (800) and 2:55.09 (1,000), respectively. She has also anchored Holy Names’ 4×1500-meter team to a second place ranking on the United States all-time High School list (19:16) with her 4:38.6 split.
Last fall, competing in her first cross country season, White ran well. She finished eighth at the Section II Championships, running 18:05 for three miles. During the 2007 outdoor track season, White finished third in the 800 (2:14.54) at the New York State Meet, then ran eighth overall in the all-classification New York Federation 800 meters.
Quote from Jordan:
“I chose Vanderbilt because of the combination of academics and athletics. At Vanderbilt, I have a chance to be part of an excellent track and field/cross country program while at the same time earning a top education.”
“After visiting Vanderbilt I knew I wanted to be a part of both the team and the campus. I believe that with the support of the coaching staff and the backing of such welcoming team members, I will improve as an athlete and be able to contribute for the team at the collegiate level.”
Remarks from Coach Keith:
“Jordan will fill a vital role in the 800-1,200 meters within our young middle distance group. A former soccer player, Jordan has not experienced as many seasons running as most but her times are truly national class. She is very focused on her academics (pre-med) and running. We are extremely excited to welcome such a quality recruit as Jordan to our program.”
Louise Hannallah
Churchill High School, Potomac, Md.
Hannallah was Maryland’s most honored prep cross country runner last year, earning the state’s Gatorade Cross Country Athlete of the Year recognition. Hannallah also earned First Team All-Metro Cross Country honors from the Washington Post last year.
She placed third at the Maryland 4A state meet and broke 18 minutes at the Meade Autumn Classic, placing second in a personal best time of 17:57 for five kilometers. On the track, Hannallah was the Maryland 4A runner-up in the 3200 last spring, setting a personal best of 11:06.
Quote from Louise:
“I chose Vanderbilt because of its outstanding academic reputation. The biggest reason I finally chose Vanderbilt had to do with my reaction to meeting the team and the coaches for the first time. During both visits, especially after the official in October, I left thinking, `I can definitely see myself here.’ I know that sounds kind of cliché but I could not get that idea out of my head. Vanderbilt just felt right.'”
“When I asked Rita Jorgensen why she chose Vanderbilt, she responded, `because I wanted to help build a team.’ Rita’s response inspired me. I also want to build a program.”
Remarks from Coach Keith:
“Louise has had an awesome fall, finishing no worse than fourth in any cross country race, and we look forward to her contribution to our team. She has improved greatly from last year and I anticipate further progression during the track season. Louise will add quality depth to a squad that will be dominated by freshmen and sophomores next fall. I see her jumping into our top seven right away.”
