Track And Field Adds Eight For 2021-22 Season

BUFFALO, NY - Director and Head Coach Vicki Mitchell and Associate Head Coach Todd Witzleben are excited to announce the commitment of eight new XC/T&F freshman for the Fall 2021 recruiting class.

In the words of Mitchell, "This group represents the heart of our program: hard work, commitment to teammates, and outstanding academics."

The men's XC and distance program welcomes in Matt Persampieri and Nick Scheiner.

Matt Persampieri (Skaneateles Senior High, Skaneateles, NY). Matt is coming off a great senior cross country season having placed third at the East Coast Cross Country Championships and 49^th at the Northeast Club Championships. Coach Witzleben said of Matt, "he fits the culture of our program and will develop into a great distance runner. With his XC season and new personal best 5k XC of 16:34, he's showing the signs that he's ready for the collegiate level." Matt will be majoring in Biomedical Sciences.
Nick Scheiner (Longwood High School, Medford, NY). Nick qualified for the Indoor New York State Championships in the 1000m as a junior and was just beginning to have breakthroughs when COVID halted his season. Nick will add to the tradition of strong middle distance runners under Coach Witzleben's guidance. Coach Witzleben says, "Nick has the full package – physical ability and mental strength – to excel in our program and I'm excited to have him continue in our middle distance program's success." His stats include 1:55.76/800m and 2:36.24/1000m. Nick will be majoring in Criminology.

The Women's XC and distance program welcomes in six new freshman for the fall 2021 class.

Alex Cowley (Notre Dame Academy, Elmira NY). Alex has been a consistent top runner for Notre Dame Academy. She has been a Sectional Qualifier all three seasons of XC, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field and will add depth to the UB Women's distance squad. Alex will be majoring in Accounting. Coach Mitchell states, "Alex's enthusiasm for training and racing will be the foundation of her success."
Heidi Eberhardt (Beverly High School, Beverly, MA). Heidi's junior indoor T&F season was a breakthrough season for her as she set personal bests in the 1000m (3:00.86) and mile (5:24.53) and qualified for the Massachusetts Indoor State Track & Field Championships. Heidi will add great strength to the middle and distance team at Buffalo. Majoring in Civil Engineering, Heidi has been accepted into the University at Buffalo Honor's College. Coach Mitchell said of Heidi, "she embodies what our program is about: excellence in the classroom and on the track/grass."
Ilsa Kloiber (Victor Central, Victor NY). Ilsa has been a consistent Sectional qualifier in both cross country and track and field. During the 2020 indoor season, Ilsa set personal bests marks in the 1500m (5:04.74) and 3000m (11:16.19) – both were big jumps over the previous season. She's been a top member of her high school's cross country team and has great potential for her career at Buffalo. Coach Mitchell says of Ilsa, "she is bringing a work ethic and commitment level that is in line with our team culture of expecting excellence each day." Ilsa will be majoring in Neuroscience and has been accepted to the University at Buffalo Honor's College.
Allison Newton (Cicero North Syracuse, Cicero, NY). Allison will bring in excitement and energy to the UB Bulls program. In the indoor 2020 season, she had several first place performances including wins at the Fred Kirschenheiter Memorial Meet and Jack Morse Kickoff Meet. Coach Mitchell states of Allison, "her forward growth curve is exciting and with personal best marks of 4:56.96/1500m and 10:33.52/3000m, she will be making an impact with the Bulls." Allison will be majoring in Business Administration.
Kelly O'Conner (Valley Central High School, Walden, NY). Kelly's junior year was very strong setting a personal best mark of 4:56.03/1500m and qualifying for the Sectional championships in both cross country and indoor track and field. Coach Mitchell says, "Kelly has great drive and passion for the sport, and that will feed perfectly into the culture of the UB program." Kelly will be majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
Anna Recktenwalt (Arlington High School, Poughquag, NY). Anna's approach to her training and racing is excellent. She's coming from a strong program at Arlington High School and understands the commitment needed for continued success. With personal best marks of 5:05.62/1500m and 10:31.62/3000m, she will have a nice impact for the Bulls. Coach Mitchell states, "Anna is an exciting young runner with a bright future ahead." Anna will be majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences.

"We are excited to welcome these outstanding student-athletes to the program," Mitchell said about the class overall. "Each one has already had great success in the sport, but has even greater potential for growth and contributing to the UB Bulls program."

University at Buffalo Athletics

Track And Field Adds Eight For 2021-22 Season

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