W&M Cross Country/Track and Field Sign Four Recruits Set to Join Tribe for 2004-05 Season

WILLIAMSBURG, VA -- William and Mary head men¹s cross country and track and field coach Alex Gibby announced today that that four student-athletes, Ian Fitzgerald (Glenshaw, PA / North Hills), Rob Dennis (Little Silver, NJ / Red Bank Regional), David Mock (Johnstown, PA / Westmont-Hilltop) and Jared Campbell (Franklin, IN / Franklin Community) have signed letters of intent to run for the Tribe next season.

Fitzgerald comes to the Tribe as the 2003 Pennsylvania AAA state champion in the 1,600m and 3,200m. He also turned heads with his impressive performance at the Penn Relays where he won the 3,000m with an 8:22.42, the eighth-fastest time ever recorded by a high school athlete at the prestigious meet. In cross country Fitzgerald claimed third at the state AAA championship and also raced to a solid 18th at the competitive Footlocker Northeast Regional.

"We feel that with his performance this spring Ian has proven he is one of the premier runners on the East Coast," Gibby said. "We feel he can make an immediate impact."

Dennis comes to the Tribe after a season in which he was the third leg on the national high school record-breaking 4xmile relay which took second at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships (NSIC). He also captured the New Jersey group three cross country title in addition to his eighth-place run at the NJ Cross Country Meet of Champions. Dennis also clocked a 12:39 over the Van Cortland Park (NY) cross country course at the Manhattan Invitational, taking second in his section. He has a personal record of 4:20.28 in the outdoor 1,600m and has also run 9:25, as a junior, in the 3,200m.

"We're very excited about Rob," Gibby said. "He comes from a great background after this cross country season we feel he can contribute immediately to the squad."

Mock leaves his high school career as the Pennsylvania AA state cross country champion in 2003 and also notched a strong 12th at the elite Footlocker Northeast Cross Country Regional. Mock has run 9:15 in the 3,200m, 4:17.16 in the 1,600m and has split 1:54 in the 4x800m relay.

"Dave is an extremely talented and focused runner," Gibby said. "Although a raw prospect he is very accomplished. He's an excellent cross country runner and in track has emerged as a threat for a state title."

Campbell finished eighth at the Indiana state cross country meet this season and also claimed 14th at the competitive Footlocker Midwest Cross Country Regional. He has run 9:27 in the 3,200m.

"Jared comes out of a great program and had a breakthrough cross country season," Gibby said. "We expect him to continue that progression here."

The four join Christo Landry (Falls Church / Thomas Jefferson) and David Groff (Centreville, VA / Westfield), who signed letters of intent in the fall, as newcomers to the program. Landry has continued his excellent season, racing to a strong 10th at the Footlocker Southeast Cross Country Regional. In the indoor season Landry captured second in the 3,200m at the Virginia AAA state meet as well as fourth in the mile at the NSICs, where he clocked a strong 4:12.67. Even more brilliant in the outdoor season, Landry clocked a blistering 4:12.51 in the 1,600m, the fastest time in Virginia. Equally impressive was his 8:54.07 (which converts to 8:50.67) in the 3,200m, the fourth fastest time ever run in Virginia and the 12th fastest time ever run in the East.

Groff has also continued his strong running since the fall, culminating with his state championship in the 1,000m, running a 2:29.82. He also anchored the national championship 4x800m relay that won at the NSIC, splitting 1:52. In the outdoor season Groff has run 1:53.64 in the 800m, 4:14.80 in the 1,600m and has split 3:02 for the 1,200m leg of the distance medley relay.