Women's XC Adds Five for 2021 Season
The Brescia University women's cross country team added five new Bearcats for the 2021 season, continuing to build on a string of strong recruit classes.
The incoming class is led by transfers Breanna Alderton (JR/Owensboro, KY) and Hailey Vitolo (JR/Perry, OH). Alderton, a graduate of in-town Owensboro High School, has been running locally for years and is transferring to Brescia from Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Vitolo, a JUCO transfer from Cuyahoga Community College, will bring experience to the program and add another student-athlete who has ran sub-20 minutes in the 5,000m.
The Bearcats' trio of freshmen -- Carmela Shorkey (FR/Macomb, MI) (Austin Catholic HS), Katlyn Varnadore (FR/Brighton, TN) (Brighton HS), and Jessica Bickett (FR/Shepherdsville, KY) (North Bullitt HS) -- bring significant potential to the team and have the opportunity to contribute immediately.
"I'm very excited to see how what incoming recruit class, combined with our returning Bearcats, can accomplish. This is the most talented team women's cross country team that we have had in a long time. The season can't get here soon enough," said Assistant Coach Kyle Robinson.
Awards and Accomplishments:
2020 G-MAC All-Academic Team, 2020 XC G-MAC All-Conference, 2019 All- G-MAC team, 2018 and 2017 Kentucky State Champion (1600m), 2018 OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll.
2019 Kentucky XC State Championship Qualifier, Cross Country "Heart Award" receipient, National Beta Club Scholarship receipient, 2020 Governer's Scholar, Beta Club "Most Volunteer Hours" Award receipient.
2021 Austin Catholic HS Salutatorian, 3x Michigan XC State Championship Qualifier, 2018 and 2021 Michigan Track & Field State Championship Qualifier, first female XC runner in Austin Catholic High School history to win a cross country meet.
2020 Tennessee XC State Championship Qualifier, 2021 Tennessee Track & Field State Championship Qualifier, 2020 Youth Leadership Summitt selectee, first female XC runner in Brighton High School history to sign to run in college.
2020 Ohio Community College Athletic Conference All-Academic team, 2019 NJCAA XC National Championship Qualifier, Top 100 finisher at 2019 NJCAA XC National Championship (80th).