Feb. 18, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford University track and field team has signed three more athletes for the 2009-2010 season, announced Head Coach Rod Tiffin on Wednesday. The three new signees join four others who signed with the Bulldogs last week.
"These Three added to the earlier signees guarantee us a great season next year and a solid foundation to build on for the future," Tiffin said.
Bo Gilroy, who hails from Ravenwood High School out of Brentwood, Tenn., is one of the top decathletes in the country. He finished second as a junior in the AAU National Championships in the decathlon and was the Tennessee State Champion in the high jump. He was also a runner-up in the hurdles. Gilroy holds personal bests of 11.20 in the 100 meters, 14.74 in the 110-meter hurdles, 23'6" in the long jump and 6'8" in the high jump.
Holly Benson, from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, adds to the line of great Canadian female runners for the Bulldogs. Benson, who hails out of F. J. Brennan High School should add immediate depth in the distances and speed to the middle distance core. She holds personal best of 2:13 in the 800 meters, 4:40 in the 1500 meters and 18:48 in the 5.2 kilometers.
Lastly, Lauren D'Alessio adds to the local flair of the Bulldog squad. D'Alessio comes out of Pelham High School and Samford is very lucky to keep her in state as she was sought after by several out-of-state colleges. She will be a solid cross country runner and will help in the middle distance group as well. Her personal bests are 58.37 in the 400 meters, 2:17 in the 800 meters and 18:43 in the 5K.
