CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi cross country and track & field programs have signed eight student-athletes to National Letters of Intent this week, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Shawn Flanagan announced today.
The class is highlighted by three-time Texas state champion in cross country, the 3,200m and the 1,600m Morgan McCutchen (Levelland HS/Levelland) and district champion in the 100-meter dash Mikayla Roell (Victoria West HS/Victoria).
Chase Henley (King HS/Corpus Christi), Rebekah Hardee (Bloomington HS/Victoria), Natalie Cortez (Lytle HS/Lytle), Alyssa Wilburn (West Oso HS/Corpus Christi), Naila Flores (Palmview HS/Mission) and Casey Dake (Magnolia HS/Magnolia) round out the signing class.
"I am very excited for this group of student-athletes to join Texas A&M-Corpus Christi," said Flanagan. "I believe the group of athletes in this class will help us elevate our program to the next level. A few of them will make an immediate impact once they step on campus."
MORGAN MCCUTCHEN
- Distance runner from Levelland High School in Levelland.
- Named the Texas Small School State Athlete of the Year for 2015.
- Champion of the Region I race as a senior, followed by a sixth-place finish at the state meet.
- Cross country Texas state champion in 2014, before taking the 3,200m and 1,600m state titles as a junior.
- Holds the Lobo school records in the 3200m and 1600m with her personal-bests 11:19 and 5:09, respectively.
"An immediate impact signee is the best way to describe Morgan," Flanagan said. "She elevates all those around her. I think she will develop good leadership skills. She will have a significant positive impact on program."
MIKAYLA ROELL
- Sprinter from Victoria West High School in Victoria.
- Ran on the anchor leg on both the 4x100m and 4x200 that qualified for the state meet for the first time in school history in 2015.
- Regional champion in the 4x100m race as a junior.
- District and area champion in the 100m with a personal-best 11.76 last year.
- Nationally ranked in the 100m by DyeStat.com.
"Mikayla is a great addition to the program," head track & field coach Steve McBride said. "As a nationally ranked sprinter and a two-time state qualifier, she will make an immediate impact on this program."
CASEY DAKE
- Distance runner from Magnolia High School in Tomball.
- All-district as a senior, after an All-District performance her junior season.
- Regional and state qualifier in cross country in 2015 to take her tally up to four regional meets and two state meets.
- All-State honorable mention in swimming in 2013 and a three-time regional qualifier.
"Casey has some great times," Flanagan added. "She is a very steady racer with a come-from-behind mentality. We expect her to have a positive impact from the start with her outstanding leadership ability."
NAILA FLORES
- Distance and middle distance runner from Palmview High School in Palmview.
- Named captain of the cross country team for her senior season.
- Led the Lobos to a ninth place finish at the UIL Region 4 meet, personally finishing in 29th place as a senior.
- Back-to-back district champion with the Palmview cross country team in 2014 and 2015.
"I was very impressed with her cross country season with excellent races at the Islander Splash and McNeil Invite," Flanagan said. "I believe she should be in the starting seven from the beginning. She has a huge upside."
ALYSSA WILBURN
- Distance runner from West Oso High School in Corpus Christi.
- Won five races this season, including a championship-winning performance at the district meet.
- Qualified for regionals all four years, and totaled six individual victories in her high school career.
- Holds the West Oso record for most wins by a female in a season.
- Member of the track & field and basketball teams for the Bears.
"Alyssa is a great local product," said Flanagan. "She has very solid track times that will benefit our program. She has a huge upside for our team."
NATALIE CORTEZ
- Distance runner out of Lytle High School in Lytle.
- Regional qualifier as a senior, after becoming the first girl to qualify for state in Pirates history in 2013-14.
- Named All-State for her sixth-place finish at the state cross country meet as a sophomore.
- Finished fifth in the 3,200m and sixth in the 1,600m at the 2014 state track meet to earn All-State honors.
- Holds the Lytle program record for the 3,200m and 1,600m.
Had surgery on an injury this year and is coming back strong from it," added Flanagan. " I expect her to be in the hunt as soon as recovery is complete."
REBEKAH HARDEE
- Distance runner from Bloomington High School in Bloomington.
- State qualifier in cross country after finishing second at disctricts and eighth at regionals as a senior.
- Qualified for state in her junior year and made it to regionals as a sophomore.
- Holds the Bobcat record in the 800m and 1600m.
- Four year letter winner in volleyball, basketball and track & field.
"Rebekah is an excellent student and athlete," Flanagan added. "It may take her a little bit to develop into a top college runner, but she has an amazing attitude that will make the transition to this new stage in her career much easier."
CHASE HENLEY
"Chase will be a huge impact runner for our cross country and track & field teams," said Flanagan. "He has qualified for multiple regional meets, which has given him valuable experience. He has a huge upside for our program."
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