ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - University of Alaska Anchorage associate head coach Chas Davis announced the addition of 15 student-athletes to the cross country teams for the 2024 season. 

  Charlie Wright
  Freshman - Uckfield, East Sussex, England
  PR's: 1500m 4:02.54, 3k Steeple 9:44.16, 2k Steeple 6:12.72

  Coach Davis: "He's a bit of a wild card.  We know he's good - but not sure if that's going to be as a middle distance guy or beyond.  Exciting to explore his strengths and upside."

Charlie Hulbert
Freshman - Cody, Wyo.
Winner of the Wyoming 2023 HS 3A XC Championship. 2024 HS 4A State Champion in the 800m, and 1600m.
PR's: 1600m 4:23.34

Coach Davis: "Charlie represents a new kind of guy for us - someone who was guided - in part - by their coach to us because of the success we've been having the last few years.  He could make an immediate competitive impact."

  Edgar Vera
  Freshman - Juneau, Alaska
 
  Coach Davis: "Typically athletes at his level - especially when coming from a more robust training background - need to try out first. However, because of the strong team culture he comes     
  from, while also knowing his prior training was likely limited due to Alaskan winter reasons, helped us feel confident in recruiting him to our roster. As with all of these men - but especially the Alaskans - Edgar likely has enormous upside."

  Tobias Buchanan
  Freshman - Palmer, Alaska
  Runner up at the 2023 AK HS D1 XC Championship. Winner of the AK HS State Track 1600m and 3200m.
  PR's: 1600m 4:18.70, 3200m 9:28.01

Coach Davis: "Classic Alaskan with wild upside. We were shocked how dramatically he improved at the end of his senior year - he might be the most talented boy in this incoming class. All depends on how well he makes the transition to college." 

Samuel Roy
Freshman - Portland, Oregon.
PR's 1500m 4:05.98, 3k 8:43.98

Coach Davis: "Late bloomer...he might be the gem of this distance class. He seems well prepared for the transition to collegiate training. He could have an immediate impact on the competitiveness of this men's team, something you don't see a lot of on the men's side."

  Zach Grams
  Senior - Port Orchard, Wash./Portland State University
  PR's: 5k 14:45.46, 10k 31:15.57

  Coach Davis: "Grad transfer Zach Grams brings important experience & competitiveness to a very young program. This is probably one of the most talented classes we've ever brought in here at UAA - certainly in my time. But the step up to the 8k & 10k can be very difficult for most freshmen boys - not to mention all the other stressors of that first year of college. We'll be counting on Grams to provide some of the veteran leadership we lost after last year to a top squad that may include several freshman."

  Anthony Porter
  Freshman - Colorado Springs, Colo. 
  Placed 14th at the 2023 4A XC State Meet
  PR: 1600m 4:29.66

  Coach Davis: "Excited to see where his career could take him. Coming from Colorado where he was always racing at altitude, his PR's are a little behind some of his peers. But as with most athletes from altitude, they've got a monster engine & enormous upside even if their marks don't quite show it yet."

  Hunter Taddy
  Freshman - Reedsville, Wis.

  Coach Davis: "He's even more of a wild card than Wright. As with Anthony & Edgar, his marks are a little behind his peers. But after understanding a bit more of his training background,
  where he's coming from and his enthusiasm for the sport, it was a no-brainer to recruit this kid. And it showed by the way he ended his senior track season with major improvements. On
  paper right now he looks like more of a middle distance guy...but who knows. Exciting to explore his strengths and upside."  

Lucia Garcia
Sophomore - Transfer from App State, originally from Palencia, Spain/Appalachian State University
PR's: 800m 2:11.58, 1500m 4:30.74  

Coach Davis: "Lucia was a last second addition, but could end up becoming the steal of this class after navigating this transition to NCAA training and competition. She's up there with Ryann as possibly the most highly decorated high school athlete we've recruited here & excited to see that shine."

Abigail Harver
Freshman - Kodiak, Alaska

Coach Davis: "This woman has Avery Williamson written all over her. Coming largely from a different sport background (competitive dance), her training age and background is extremely limited. But if she's anything like Avery, seems ready to embrace what it's going to take at this level and may be the shiniest diamond in the rough of this class."

Delaney Draeger
Freshman - Vernonia, Ore.
Placed 4th at the 2023 3A/2A/1A XC State Meet. 
PR's: 1500m, 4:58.12, 3k 10:57.23

Coach Davis: "Enormous upside considering both her accomplishments in high school while also coming from an extremely limited training background. May take a bit to transition to collegiate training and competition, but as soon as she does, she will be making a big impact."

Gracie Norman
Sophomore - Palmer, Alaska/Webber International University

Coach Davis: "In the limited way we were able to get to know Gracie over the phone & through mutual contacts, she came off like a wonderful human being who will add to the positive team culture of our women's team.  We are glad she came to her senses and returned home to Alaska after spending her first year of college in Florida." 

  Makendra McCarty
  Freshman - Sedro-Woolley, Wash. 
  PR's: 1600m 5:19.74, 3200m 11:05.21

  Coach Davis: "Similar to Delaney, Makendra brings enormous potential with her to Alaska.  Despite a limited training background, she made wild improvements at the end of her senior
  year. As soon as she's made the transition to this level, she can make a very big impact on this conference and beyond."


  Ryann Smith
  Rawlins, Wyo./University of Wyoming
  2022 Runner up Wyoming 3A HS State XC Champion. 3X Wyoming 3A HS State Champion in the 1600m
  PRS: 800m 2:15.18, 1600m 5:03.54, 3200m 10:52.27

  Coach Davis: "May be one of the most highly decorated high school women we've ever signed here.  Although we recruited her out of high school, she initially went to Wyoming, but we are confident she found the best fit for her here in Alaska. She could have an immediate impact on the competitive level of this program."

  Lilli Lindner
  Junior - Freiburg, Germany/Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg
  PR's: 800m 2:17.25, 1500m 4:50.67

  "Probably the biggest wild card of our newcomers. As a grad school transfer from Germany, her background is modest. But something about her tells us she's ready to make a quick
  transition & help the program to reach its potential this season."