Bulls Sign Six for Cross Country and Track Teams
2/7/2013 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo cross country and women's track and field head coach Vicki Mitchell announced the signings of six athletes to National Letters of Intent.to attend UB starting in the fall of 2013.
Joining the Bulls will be distance specialists Caroline Brown (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity), James Dickinson (East Northport, NY/Northport) andAlec Peinkofer (Baldwinsville, NY/Baldwinsville) while sprinter Sara Flores (Kingston, NY/Kingston), multi-event athlete Isabella Borini (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) and pole vaulter Jenn Thill (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) will join the UB track and field team.
Brown won the 2012 New York State Catholic cross country title and also participated in the State Federation meet. On the track, her dominance has shined boosting personal best marks of 10:20.60 for 3000-meters and 5:07.55 for the mile. Coach Mitchell comments, "Caroline brings versatility and strength, along with her overall athletic prowess to our team. We know she is going to have a tremendous impact in all season seasons for the Bulls."
Dickinson won the Section XI title in the 3,200-meter run. Most recently, he has shown his range by helping his team to qualify for the prestigious Millrose Games in the 4x800-meter relay. He was also a major contributor to his team's sectional championship in cross country and helped the squad to a third-place team finish in the state championship meet. "James is a recruit that we are very excited about because of his immense talent and determination to be successful. His signing pushes our program closer to the goal of winning MAC championships," said assistant coach Todd Witzleben.
Peinkofer placed third at the 2012 New York State Federation Championships after winning his section of the Manhattan Invite. On the track, he has focused his attention on shorter events including the 800- and 1,000-meters runs. "After watching Alec race this cross country season, I was determined to add him to our roster at UB," said Witzleben. "I think he will make an immediate impact on our program. I'm looking forward to seeing him race in our jersey."
Flores joins the Bulls women's sprint squad and will enhance the team's strength in the 200- and, 400-meter races as well as the relays. She won 2012 Section IX titles in the 200- and 400-meters and competed in the state championships. "Sara is standout 200-meter/400-meter runner who will excel in our program. She has the ability and motivation to be a dominating force," said Mitchell.
Borini will give the Bulls a strong presence in several events. She finished fifth in the pentathlon at the 2012 state outdoor championships and was the highest underclassman finisher. Mitchell states, "Isabella has a broad range of abilities from the high jump to the hurdles and long jump to throwing events. She is going to add great depth to our tradition of strong combined eventers at Buffalo."
Thill rounds out the early commitments for the Bulls..She cleared 11-0 at the state indoor and outdoor championships in 2012 and currently is the top indoor vaulter in Western New York at 12-0. She comes from a strong vaulting program with the likes of Mary Saxer from Lancaster and has great speed. "We are extremely excited to have the best local student-athlete sign with the University at Buffalo," said Mitchell. "Our pole vault program has history and Jenn is going to make her own mark on our program."
