CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX. --- Texas A&M-Corpus Christi announced
the signings of seven cross country/track & field athletes to
National Letters of Intent, it was announced by head coach Shawn
Flanagan, Friday.
On the men?s side, the Islanders inked three local runners ?
Arturo Corona (Premont, Tex./Premont HS), Jose Corona (Premont,
Tex./Premont HS) as well as Daniel Hayden (Corpus Christi,
Tex./King HS), while the women?s side added Krystle Clement
(LaPorte, Tex./LaPorte HS), Ashley Schultz (Katy, Tex./Katy HS),
Mary Shelton (Frisco, Tex./Frisco HS) and Nicole Silvas (Converse,
Tex./Judson HS).
?I really feel this group of recruits will indeed help us compete
at a higher level on a regional basis,? said Islander head coach
Shawn Flanagan. ?The Corona brothers, Shelton, Schultz, and Silvas
will increase our ability to improve on the accomplishments we
achieved in cross country this past season, while Daniel Hayden
will be a critical part of our sprint program immediately. Clement
will be a welcomed addition to our middle distance corps and will
provide help on our mile relay.?
Clement, a two-sport letterwinner at LaPorte High School, finished
second in the 800-meter run at the 2003 district meet after
capturing the individual title in the same event as a junior. As a
junior, she was a member of the Bulldogs? 4X400 relay that won the
district title and advanced to regionals. Clement, also a
three-time cross country letterwinner, was the recipient of the
Heart Award three times.
Schultz, who lettered in cross country and track at Katy High,
specialized in the 800, 1600 and 1500-meter runs for coach Janet
Bauer. She was named the Most Outstanding Runner for the Tiger
women?s cross country squad this past year and served as the Team
Captain of the cross country team. As a junior, she was the
recipient of the 110% Award. In the summer of 2002, she qualified
for the Junior Olympics in Knoxville, Tenn.
Shelton, who captured district titles in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter
runs her senior season, finished fifth at the 2002 Class 4A State
Cross Country Championships. Earlier in the year, she finished
second in district and regional competition in cross country. Under
the direction of Sam Rieter, Shelton won back-to-back 3,200-meter
state titles, two 3,200-meter regional crowns and three 3,200
district titles. During her prep career, she set school records in
the 1,600 and 3,200-meter events, as well as the two-mile run in
cross country. A 2002-03 all-state selection in cross country,
Shelton also lettered three years in basketball for the
Raccoons.
As a senior, Silvas, a four-year letterwinner in cross country and
in track & field at Judson High School, advanced to regionals
after winning the title in the 3,200-meter run and finishing second
in the mile at the district championships. During her junior
campaign, she became the first runner in school history to advance
to the state championships in both cross country and in the
3,200-meter run.
Hayden, a three-sport letterman at King High School, is a two-time
district champ and regional qualifier in the 200-meter dash under
the tutelage of coach Tom Castillo. During his career, he has been
named an all-South Texas honoree and was named the Mustangs?
Newcomer of the Year in track. Hayden also lettered one year in
basketball and three years in football at King.
The Corona bothers, Arturo and Jose, have been instrumental in
guiding Premont High School to four consecutive district, region
and Class 2A state cross country titles under coach Noe DeLeon.
Arturo, who finished 26th at the 2002 cross country state meet,
garnered all-district and all-region accolades three years. Jose
placed fourth at the state cross country championships his senior
season. During his prep career, he received all region and
all-state honors in cross country and was named the MVP of the
All-South Texas team. He also lettered two years in basketball for
the Cowboys, garnering second team all-district mention.
A&M-CC is expected to announce the signings of more cross
country/track & field student-athletes at a later date.
