MA alum McIntyre added to UWA cross country team

LIVINGSTON – Decorated Florida high school distance runner Karissa Solorzano has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete in cross country at the University of West Alabama beginning with the 2014 season.

From St. Cloud (Fla.) High School, Solorzano was named the Osceola County runner of the year, as well as the Bright House Sports Network cross country and track athlete of the year.

The district champion in both the 1600 and 3200 meter runs, Solorzano finished third in the region and was a state qualifier in the 3200 and has recorded a personal best of 11:42.29 in that event. Other PRs include a 5:29.03 in the 1600m and a 19:28.34 in the 5000m.

Stanfield also said that Ciara McIntyre from Dixons Mills, Ala., will compete for the squad during the upcoming season. Entering her senior year at UWA, McIntyre came to West Alabama from Marengo Academy and is a member of Blue Key, Cardinal Key and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies.

“Karissa had a tremendous and decorated high school career in Florida. I’m anxious to watch her compete at this level,” Stanfield said. “Ciara gives us added depth needed to compete for a Gulf South Conference championship.”

The UWA women’s cross country team opens the 2014 season Sept. 5 at the University of Montevallo Season Opener. For a complete Tiger women’s cross country schedule go here.

Victor Sam Onyango has also signed a National Letter of Intent to compete in cross country and track and field at the University of West Alabama.

From Kapsabet, Kenya, Onyango has posted personal best times of 14:42.53 for the 5K, 25:37.20 in the 8K and 30:56.09 in the 10K.

Onyango is the fifth Kenyan distance runner to sign with West Alabama since Stanfield assumed the reins of the program, further bolstering a team that finished third in the Gulf South Conference a year ago.

The 2014 Tiger cross country schedule begins Sept. 5 when UWA travels to the Montevallo Season Opener.