April 15, 2015
The future officially started taking shape for Vanderbilt’s cross country and track and field programs on Wednesday, when head coach Steve Keith announced the signing of seven newcomers.
The diversely-talented group — which includes five distance runners — is expected to make a huge impact for the Commodores in the years ahead, and will help the Vanderbilt cross country and track continue their ascend on the national level. Members of the group come from places all across the map, ranging from nearby Franklin to the West Coast, and together they will provide depth, and excitement, for the two programs.
Hometown product Lydia Witty (Harpeth Hall High), who runs the 400 and 800, is among the cast of incoming athletes. The list also includes high jumper Ashlyn Hare (Colorado Springs, Colo.), along with five distance runners: Devon Grisbaum (Ocean City, N.J.), Ginger Hutton (Boulder, Colo.), Rebecca Jacobson (Flower Mound, Tex.), Caroline Pietrzyk (Malibu, Calif.) and Sara Tsai (Eugene, Oregon).
“Our program has shown some real improvement over the last four years in terms of depth and quality and this is a tribute to my assistant coaches and their efforts in recruiting,” said Vanderbilt head coach Steve Keith. “Vanderbilt offers a unique combination of rewarding challenges, both academically and athletically (SEC), and this recruiting class is excited to take on these challenges.” (For more from Keith, along with an interview with assistant coach Rhonda Riley, see videos below).
The newcomers will be looking to extend the Commodores’ recent run of success. The Vanderbilt cross country team has qualified for the nationals in each of the past four years, and captured the team’s first region title last fall. The track and field team, meanwhile, has also been in the national spotlight in recent months.
For a closer look at each of incoming athletes, click below:
