ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – The University of Alaska Anchorage welcomes the addition of five women and four men to their cross country team when they toe the line Saturday at Kincaid Park with a dual meet against Alaska Fairbanks.

Women
Alliyah Fields
Freshman, Chugiak, Alaska (Chugiak HS)

200m- 25.82, 400m-57.59, 800m-2:13.23, 1600m- 5:11.75
Was a scoring member of Chugiak High Cross-Country Team in 2022, 2023, & 2024 when they won the State XC Meet as a team…400m and 800m Alaska State Champ in 2024

"She is the multi-time Alaskan state champ in the 400 & 800 with a runner-up finish at the cross country state meet - if that doesn't make her the best overall track athlete in the state of Alaska last year, it certainly makes her the most versatile.  Very exciting opportunity to get to work with her." – Coach Chas Davis 

Libby Schmidt
Sophomore, Manitowoc, Wis. (University of St. Thomas)

1500m- 5:11.05, 5k- 18:52.58

"We recruited her out of high school but missed the first time - thrilled she ended up transferring as she brings high level experience & a lot of depth and long distance performance potential to a program that was looking for one or two more pieces to get to the next level this season." – Coach Chas Davis 

Charlotte Glander
Freshman, Berlin, Germany (Rahel-Hirsch-Schule, School for Health and Medicine)

3k 10:20.16, 1500m 4:53.42
7th place at German U18 Championships in 3k in 2023

"She is a high level athlete that could have an immediate impact on the team later in the season as her track season just recently ended. A welcome addition to the team dynamic - someone who just seems to 'get it.'" – Coach Chas Davis 

Gracie Puit
Freshman, Apple Valley, Minnesota (Eastview HS)

1600m- 5:19.09, 3200m-10:56

"She broke out at the end of her senior year with a significant jump in performance. Because she has so much potential, we want to be careful and patient with her - but I see her having a big impact as she develops here in a lot of ways." – Coach Chas Davis 

Marina Dill
Freshman, Sitka, Alaska (Sitka HS)

1600m- 5:28.81, 3200m- 11:29.33
Individual State Runner Up in XC for 2023 and 2024…3200m Alaska State Runner up in 2024…800m Alaska State Runner up in 2023

"We are thrilled we are keeping more Alaskan women in their home state with Marina. We recruited her because of the gritty athlete she is - often in the shadow of a smaller Alaskan division state champ but always fighting for that second spot in any race...that's the kind of person we want a part of the program and Marina has tremendous upside in the sport as she develops here because of that." – Coach Chas Davis    

Men
Ethan Ackroyd
Senior, Wyddgrug, Wales (Christian Brothers University)

800m-1:54.48, 1500m- 3:47.53, Mile- 4:08.97, 3k- 8:27.87

"Sometimes the timing is just right in a lot of ways and it was with Ethan last May as he was looking to make a change from his former school. A high level focused and determined athlete who can make an immediate impact on the program in more ways than just athletic performance (and in both XC and track as an accomplished miler).  Another athlete who just 'gets it.'" – Coach Chas Davis   

Ben Browning
Sophomore, Kimberly, Idaho (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

5k- 15:02.15, 10km- 31:13.39

Kimberly High School XC 5k & 3200 school record holder...second at Idaho State XC meet 2023…third at state 3200 in 2024…valedictorian of Kimberly High school class of 2024 as a junior (graduated in three years)

"A transfer with a ton of potential that should make an immediate performance impact on the team this XC season & could reach a very high level long term with the right culture & guidance around him - fortunately something we excel at here. He's hit the ground running and fits right in here." – Coach Chas Davis    

Tony Ruiz
Junior, Beaumont, California (Riverside City Community College)

800m- 1:53.96, 1500m- 3:56.99

"We were impressed by his range as a 1:53 guy who runs very solid cross country. That's a rare athlete at this level so we are excited by his potential in both XC and track. What sealed the deal for us was the quality of person he came off as - we want more Tony Ruiz's a part of this program!" – Coach Chas Davis 

Henry O'Neal
Freshman, Portland, Oregon (Jefferson HS)

1500m- 4:11.83, 3k- 9:10.98

"He is a true freshman with a lot of potential that we will patiently develop for the next year or two if we do it right. Seems like the kind of athlete who 'gets it' & understands the bigger picture. Arrived here excited to grind and that's the kind of guy we want here!" – Coach Chas Davis