Cross Country and Track & Field Sign Four New Student-Athletes
5/13/2020 2:10:00 PM | Cross Country, Track and Field
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo cross country/track and field head coach Vicki Mitchell announced the signings of four outstanding student-athletes that will be joining the incoming class. Joining the UB cross country and track and field family this fall are Quinn Smith, Scilla Benussi, Zaria Fuller and Emmy van den Berg. Each student-athlete brings an exciting set values and talent to the program.
"This group of student-athletes brings excitement and incredible potential to the UB Bulls to help us continue to move our way up in the MAC and the NCAA," stated Mitchell.
Quinn Smith, Hampton Bays High School, Hampton N.Y.
Smith is the 2020 New York State Indoor Shot Put Champion. During the 2020 indoor season, Smith won 11 of his 12 competitions in the shot put, with a personal best distance of 60'0" while winning the New York State Championship. He also brings experience and strength in the discus, where he earned second place at the 2019 Outdoor New York State Championships.
"With Quinn's size and athleticism, he will continue the tradition of our UB Throws Program in the MAC and NCAA," states throws coach Jim Garnham Sr. "Quinn is extremely coachable and ready to dive into the UB throws culture of excellence."
The Bulls also signed two outstanding additions joining their combined events squad.
Scilla Benussi, Gagigleo Galilei School, Venezia, Italy
Benussi is an outstanding heptathlete who is very young to the sport. She began competing in the combined events three years ago and has shown outstanding performance and room for growth. Her commitment to her academics and athletics is outstanding. During the 2020 indoor track & field season, Benussi scored an impressive 3,524 points in the pentathlon. She plans on majoring in computer science at UB.
Zaria Fuller, Uniondale HS/University of South Florida, Hempstead, N.Y.
Fuller, the 2019 New York State Outdoor Track & Field Pentathlon Champion, will be transferring from the University of South Florida to UB in the fall. Her pentathlon score of 3,544 points ranked fourth in the United State among high school student-athletes in 2019. Fuller's future with the Bulls will be extremely bright. She will be majoring in occupational therapy and noted her excitement about the strength of UB's academics in helping her make this decision.
"I couldn't be more excited to bring in such talented athletes in Zaria Fuller and Scilla Benussi," assistant coach Nick Collins said. "Both were great personalities in the recruiting process and each showed their own unique desire to better themselves as student-athletes. I see each of them as immediate impact recruits who will push each other and their teammates. I look forward to seeing them compete for the Bulls."
Emmy van den Berg, Maurick College, The Netherlands
Van den Berg will join the women's distance team this fall. She is an exciting young middle distance runner with a very bright future. She has had experience competing internationally representing The Netherlands. Her personal-best marks of 2:12.94 in the 800-meter run and 4:35.11 in the 1,500-meter run will make an immediate impact with the Bulls and in the Mid-American Conference. She brings a great work ethic and desire to be her best every day. She plans on majoring in biomedical sciences and looking forward to an outstanding career.
"Emmy is an exciting and dynamic young runner with a great focus on her academics and athletics," stated Mitchell. "She will be joining Jade Dennis and distance team where she will have an immediate impact with the program. I can't wait to work with her and help her achieve her goals."
To stay up to date with all the UB cross country and track & field news, follow the team on Twitter (@UB_XCTF) and like us on Facebook.
"This group of student-athletes brings excitement and incredible potential to the UB Bulls to help us continue to move our way up in the MAC and the NCAA," stated Mitchell.
Quinn Smith, Hampton Bays High School, Hampton N.Y.
Smith is the 2020 New York State Indoor Shot Put Champion. During the 2020 indoor season, Smith won 11 of his 12 competitions in the shot put, with a personal best distance of 60'0" while winning the New York State Championship. He also brings experience and strength in the discus, where he earned second place at the 2019 Outdoor New York State Championships.
"With Quinn's size and athleticism, he will continue the tradition of our UB Throws Program in the MAC and NCAA," states throws coach Jim Garnham Sr. "Quinn is extremely coachable and ready to dive into the UB throws culture of excellence."
The Bulls also signed two outstanding additions joining their combined events squad.
Scilla Benussi, Gagigleo Galilei School, Venezia, Italy
Benussi is an outstanding heptathlete who is very young to the sport. She began competing in the combined events three years ago and has shown outstanding performance and room for growth. Her commitment to her academics and athletics is outstanding. During the 2020 indoor track & field season, Benussi scored an impressive 3,524 points in the pentathlon. She plans on majoring in computer science at UB.
Zaria Fuller, Uniondale HS/University of South Florida, Hempstead, N.Y.
Fuller, the 2019 New York State Outdoor Track & Field Pentathlon Champion, will be transferring from the University of South Florida to UB in the fall. Her pentathlon score of 3,544 points ranked fourth in the United State among high school student-athletes in 2019. Fuller's future with the Bulls will be extremely bright. She will be majoring in occupational therapy and noted her excitement about the strength of UB's academics in helping her make this decision.
"I couldn't be more excited to bring in such talented athletes in Zaria Fuller and Scilla Benussi," assistant coach Nick Collins said. "Both were great personalities in the recruiting process and each showed their own unique desire to better themselves as student-athletes. I see each of them as immediate impact recruits who will push each other and their teammates. I look forward to seeing them compete for the Bulls."
Emmy van den Berg, Maurick College, The Netherlands
Van den Berg will join the women's distance team this fall. She is an exciting young middle distance runner with a very bright future. She has had experience competing internationally representing The Netherlands. Her personal-best marks of 2:12.94 in the 800-meter run and 4:35.11 in the 1,500-meter run will make an immediate impact with the Bulls and in the Mid-American Conference. She brings a great work ethic and desire to be her best every day. She plans on majoring in biomedical sciences and looking forward to an outstanding career.
"Emmy is an exciting and dynamic young runner with a great focus on her academics and athletics," stated Mitchell. "She will be joining Jade Dennis and distance team where she will have an immediate impact with the program. I can't wait to work with her and help her achieve her goals."
To stay up to date with all the UB cross country and track & field news, follow the team on Twitter (@UB_XCTF) and like us on Facebook.
2025 MAC Cross Country Championships
Thursday, October 23
Brittany Murchie Mulla Sports Performance Center Grand Opening
Tuesday, October 15
Coaches vs. Players: Track & Field
Friday, June 14
Take a look back at the UB Alumni Invite!
Thursday, April 25
