Cross Country/Track Announce New Recruits
6/13/2018 12:00:00 AM | Track
MALIBU, California – The Pepperdine men's and women's cross country and track program, led by 13th-year coach Robert Radnoti, will add 19 freshmen to the squads' ranks this fall.
The recruits hail from all across the country, with California (five) and Texas (five) leading the way, plus those from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
"Our 2018 recruiting class promises to be one of our best ever," Radnoti said. "It will continue to move us in a direction toward ‘Competing with Purpose' for championships."
Here's a rundown of each new member of the Waves:
Men's Cross Country and Track
Chandon Chhikara
Austin, Texas (Saint Andrew's Episcopal School)
Three years of varsity cross country and two in track ... Earned All-SPC conference cross country honors after an eighth-place finish as a senior ... Part of the school-record 4x800 relay team ... Had third-place finishes in the 1,600 and 3,200 at the SPC Championships as a senior ... Chose Pepperdine because "I love the school, campus and the overall environment in Malibu. When I met with Coach Radnoti and spoke with him in person for the first time, I could tell immediately he had a plan to make Pepperdine one of the top running programs in the country, and I knew I wanted to be part of the culture and team he is building here."
Jackson Felkins
Southlake, Texas (Carroll Senior HS)
Ran one year of varsity cross country and track ... Placed 19th at the Texas 6A state meet in cross country ... Was on the third team Nike South Cross Regionals ... Posted the 10th-best 5K in school history in track ... Chose Pepperdine because "I know that Pepperdine is a place where I can grow both as a follower of Christ and as an athlete."
Kyle McCabe
Westminster, Colo. (Holy Family HS)
Ran four years of varsity cross country and three of track ... Earned all-state 3A first team in cross country in 2017 and was the 3A Region 3 individual champion ... In track, was a state qualifier in the 1,600, 3,200 and 4x800 in 2018 ... Earned Academic All-State first team honors in both sports ... Chose Pepperdine because the "faith-centered approach to academics, athletics and student life make it the perfect school for me."
Karl Winter
Stockton, Calif. (St. Mary's HS)
Ran four years of varsity cross country and three of track ... Finished 10th at the 2017 CIF D4 state cross country meet, and also qualified in 2016 ... In track, was a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section finalist in the 1,600 meters ... Father, an aunt and a cousin also attended Pepperdine ... Chose Pepperdine because "I was drawn by the quality of people that I met during my time visiting the school, especially the coaches and runners in the cross country and track program. I was also drawn by the communications/journalism program and its Christian roots, and of course the campus and location were an added bonus."
Women's Cross Country and Track
Quinn Martinelli
Alpine, N.J. (Academy of the Holy Angels)
Two years of varsity cross country and track ... Primary event is the 5K .... Chose Pepperdine because "as a New Yorker, I was taken aback by Pepperdine's spiritual embrace and California's charming residents."
Annelies Ondersma
Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. (University Liggett School)
Ran four years of varsity cross country and two of track ... Earned all-region all four years in cross country and was a three-time team MVP ... Earned all-region and team MVP honors both seasons of track, focusing on the 1,600 and 3,200 meters ... Chose Pepperdine because "it combined everything I wanted in a school in the best way possible: strong academics, balanced athletics and an amazing location."
Key Pearson
Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Vistamar School)
Ran one year of varsity cross country ... Played second at her league championship and was first at three other Coastal League meets in 2017 ... Won her age group in the Manhattan Beach 10K ... Chose Pepperdine because "not only does it have an amazing cross country team and that it's an amazing place to run, but also because of its leadership focus and renowned academics, particularly in both the sports medicine and business administration programs where I plan to focus my studies."
Olivia Vasey
Lehman, Pa. (Lake-Lehman HS)
Four years of varsity cross country and track ... Twice named to the Wyoming Valley Conference All-Star Team in cross country ... An eight-time district medalist, three-time district champion and two-time state medalist in track ... Part of a school-record 4x800 relay team ... School's valedictorian ... Chose Pepperdine because of "the amazing biology program and the many exciting opportunities offered academically, athletically and spiritually."
Kaytlynn Welsch
Alvin, Texas (Alvin HS)
Four years of varsity cross country and track ... Twice qualified for the 6A state meet in cross country ... A 6A regional qualifier in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters in track ... A top junior duathlete in the USA ... Chose Pepperdine because "thankfully I stumbled across Pepperdine while looking at universities with good study-abroad programs, and as I did more research, I realized Pepperdine was the school for me. I'm so excited to move out of state and study my major in beautiful Malibu."
Shelby White
San Antonio, Texas (Winston Churchill HS)
Ran four years of varsity cross country and two of track ... Was runner-up at the 2017 District 26-6A cross country championships ... A three-time regional qualifier ... In track, was an area qualifier in the 1,600 and 3,200 as a senior ... Named academic all-district ... Chose Pepperdine because of "its beautiful campus, stellar reputation and welcoming team. I felt right at home when I walked on campus and I knew that I would thrive in that environment."
Riley Wright
Tempe, Ariz. (Corona del Sol HS)
Four years of varsity cross country and track (seven each including middle school) ... A two-time Division I state qualifier in cross country ... Ran at multiple D1 state track championships, with a pair of fourth-place finishes in the 4x800 relay ... Earned Scholar-Athlete awards all four years ... Chose Pepperdine because "I was excited to accept the amazing opportunity of attending Pepperdine because I love the coaches and family atmosphere of the cross country/track program, its prestigious academic reputation and its ideal location on the beach."
Women's Track
Ashtyn Adams
Fresno, Calif. (Clovis North HS)
Three years of varsity track ... Part of school records in the 4x200 and 4x400 relays and set the junior school record in the 100 meters ... Among the school's top three all-time in the 400 and the top 10 in the 100 and 200 ... Member of the National Honors Society and a Scholar of Distinction ... Chose Pepperdine because it "is the only place where my character, athletic ability and intellect will be challenged collectively. I know that when I leave Pepperdine, because of the amazing resources available, I will be the best version of myself."
Mahala Bayless
Mabank, Texas (Mabank HS)
Four years of varsity track, featuring in the 100 and 300 hurdles ... Placed first in the district in the 300 hurdles and second in the 100 hurdles as a senior ... Earned academic all-state honors as a senior ... Chose Pepperdine because "of everything that the school is. Every program they offer is amazing and well put together. I knew I wanted to have a small student-to-teacher ratio. I've prayed about my future for years and every time I've felt nothing but peace when it comes to Pepperdine."
Tiffany Egbo
Gilbert, Ariz. (Highland HS)
Ran four years of varsity track ... Came in fourth place in the state in the 300 hurdles ... Earned coaches' and team MVP award ... Her brothers also attended Pepperdine ... Chose Pepperdine because "it felt as if I belong there. The kindness and beauty of it all and the view of the ocean were heart-warming. I've heard so many great things and am so excited to experience them for myself as well as advance in my career choice, academics and faith."
Keeley Maloney
Fayette City, Pa. (Greensburg Central Catholic Senior HS)
Ran four years of varsity track ... A two-time state qualifier and finisher in the WPIAL ... Set school records in the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay ... Father played in the NFL ... Graduated with honors and was a member of the National Honor Society ... Chose Pepperdine because of "the location, academics and the ability to compete in DI track."
Saangphet "Christina" McCaffery
Norwich, Conn. (Saint Bernard School)
Ran four years of varsity cross country and track ... Set a school indoor record in the 300 meters and outdoor in the 200 and 400 ... Earned All-Eastern Connecticut Conference in the 200 ... Chose Pepperdine because "I felt at home when I walked on campus. The students and track team were so welcoming, the academics are challenging, and not to mention the possibility of meeting a celebrity. I knew I would thrive over the next four years."
Alexa Ortega
Chatsworth, Calif. (St. Genevieve HS)
Ran three years of varsity track ... A two-time CIF competitor in the 300 hurdles and 4x100 relay ... Won the Santa Fe League's 300 hurdles title in 2018 ... Part of eight individual or relay school records ... Chose Pepperdine because "I really wanted both the intensity of the level of education offered at such a prestigious school paired with the high level of competition on the track that can only be found at the Division I level. I wanted a school that would leave no room for me to stay in my comfort zone both on the track and in the classroom and this is the place that I feel will make me great."
Alicia Oumsang
Rochester, N.H. (Spaulding HS)
Ran four years of indoor and outdoor track ... Focused on the 55, 100 and 200 meters ... A three-time state qualifier ... A scholar-athlete ... Chose Pepperdine because "Pepperdine was my dream school even before I knew I could continue my track career here. My official visit made me feel right at home and solidified my decision to attend. Between the excellent coaching staff, welcoming team, challenging academics, faith-based core values and oceanfront view, I wouldn't want to belong anywhere else."
Chloe Sharp
Fresno, Calif. (Clovis North HS)
Ran three years of track and two of cross country ... Earned All-Central Section and All-League honors in 2017 and 2018 in track ... Part of school-record 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams ... Won the 2015 Central Coast Section team title in cross country ... A three-year scholar-athlete ... Chose Pepperdine because "Pepperdine offers the prestigious academic atmosphere I'm looking for along with top-tier Division I athletics. It is the perfect fit for me and it is all in beautiful Malibu."
