Rogers Announces Pair of Women's Cross Country Recruits

OMAHA, Neb. -- Head coach Matt Rogers announced today that Michaela Brands and Haley Fye have signed with the Creighton women's cross country program and will enroll in the fall.

Brands starred at Totino Grace High School in Fridley, Minn., while Fye hails from East Marshall High School in Le Grand, Iowa. Both newcomers qualified for state every year of their high school careers, and both were captains of their cross country and track teams.

"Last year our women set a new tone for the culture and competitiveness of the program. Heading into 2016, we were much more confident in the recruiting process," Rogers said. "Keeping the incoming freshman class smaller this year was important to us to solidify the current culture. Haley and Michaela are both rare finds that show characteristics of successful Division I student-athletes."

Brands is the school record holder Totino Grace High School in the 4K and 5K races, and garnered all-Conference recognition all four years of her high school career. During her career at Totino Grace she also received the Eagle award for cross country, F.A.I.T.H. Award (friendship, adaptability, integrity, teamwork, humility) for track, and rookie of the year for both cross country and track. She excelled in the classroom as well, receiving the Brother William Koutsky award for outstanding leadership and service, the Academic Recognition Award for a GPA of at least 3.8, and was a member of the National Honor Society. The transition to the Bluejays is an opportunity Brands is excited about.

"I chose Creighton because it wasn't my 'safe option'," said Brands. "I wanted to go somewhere new to be challenged socially, academically and athletically. I felt a sense of community in all aspects of Creighton. I knew the cross-country program would challenge me to become a better runner, teammate and student. The girls are all so dedicated to reaching their own potential and support each other. I wanted to be a part of very personal, yet competitive team."

Fye arrives at Creighton after setting five records in high school, and earned three conference titles and a pair of top-10 finishes at the state meet. She was named a Wendy's High School Heisman state finalist and owns the school record for most track points in a season and a career. She combined athletic and academic excellence as well, finishing high school with a 4.0 GPA and was named valedictorian of her graduating class. Fye was honored with the Governor's Scholar Recognition Award, the Des Moines Register's Academic All-State team and the Times Republican Leader of Tomorrow Award. She chose to attend Creighton, "because I know it is a place where I will be challenged both academically and athletically," and she "can't wait to gain knowledge that will help me in the future to become a better runner."

The Bluejay women will look to build upon a breakthrough season where they finished regionally ranked and set school records in both the 5K and 6K races. The fall schedule for 2016 starts on September 2 at the Hawkeye Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa. The complete 2016 schedule can be seen at http://gocreighton.com/schedule.aspx?path=wxc&.

Rogers Announces Pair of Women's Cross Country Recruits

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