To be one of the best. It's the reason athletes compete at the NCAA Division III level. And at George Fox, athletes get the opportunity to pursue their passion for sports at a nationally ranked Christian college with a storied athletic tradition that includes both individual and team national championships. We're excited about the quality of student-athletes who will join us for the 2018-19 academic year as we pursue our vision of being "the team to beat." In April, we invited them to campus for a Commitment Day to celebrate their decision* and are proud to introduce our newest Bruins to you.
Cross Country and Track & Field Recruits
Name: Amanda Bays
High School: Gladstone High School (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Sport(s): Cross country; track and field
Position(s): 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 meters
Height / Weight: 5-6
High School Highlights:
No statistics available
Why I chose George Fox:
I felt like I would be comfortable and able to develop relationships with others as well as with the Lord.
Name: Emily Bruns
High School: Southwest Christian School (Beaverton, Oregon)
Sport(s): Cross country
High School Highlights:
Was an honorable mention all-state (Class 1A) track runner in the 1,500 meters and 3K in both 2016 and 2017; was third-team all-state in cross country in 2015, when she was also honorable mention all-state in track in the 1,500; served as cross country team’s captain from 2015 through 2017 and as a track captain in 2017 and 2018; was seventh at district meet in cross country as senior
Why I chose George Fox:
It is a Bible-based college close to home. But the deciding factor for me between George and my other options was the Juniors Abroad program. No other school has a program quite like it.
Name: Kalina Buhler
High School: McMinnville High School (McMinnville, Oregon)
Sport(s): Track and field
Height / Weight: 5-10
High School Highlights:
Starred in several sports in high school, as she was named all-conference in volleyball, swimming and track during her career; in track, was a second-team all-conference competitor (Class 6A Greater Valley Conference) in both 2016 and 2017; stands as McMinnville’s No. 2 all-time triple jumper, No. 3 all-time high jumper and No. 4 all-time javelin thrower -- honors she earned after her junior year of high school; was named a team captain her senior year and was the recipient of several News Register Athlete of the Week honors in her four years of high school
Why I chose George Fox:
I love the amazing community and team atmosphere.
Name: Breana Burge
High School: Emerald Ridge High School (Puyallup, Washington)
Sport(s): Cross country; track and field
Height / Weight: 5-4
High School Highlights:
Posted times of 12 minutes: 47.84 seconds (3,200 meters), 5:46.10 (1,600 meters) as a junior in track; her senior cross country times included a 5,000-meter time of 20:59.8 at the South Puget Sound League 4A championship meet; competed at the 4A Washington Interscholastic Activities Association state 4A cross country meet as a senior, where she ran a 5,000-meter time of 22:19.6; was a varsity letter winner four years in high school for both cross country and track; reached district all four years in cross country and 4A WIAA state meet her senior year
Why I chose George Fox:
George Fox is tangibly different than other universities from the moment you step on campus. I am drawn to the school by the relationships built while visiting. It is clear that George Fox is a place filled with people who will encourage and challenge me in my faith, academics and athletics!
Name: Kailey Doutt
High School: McNary Ranch High School (Salem, Oregon)
Sport(s): Basketball and track and field
Position(s): Shooting guard (basketball); middle distances (track)
Height / Weight: 5-8
High School Highlights:
Earned Greater Valley Conference (Class 6A) Player of the Year honors as a senior, when she was also named first-team all-league, the Salem-Keizer Sports and Breakfast Club Basketball Athlete of the Year, an All-Mid-Valley basketball team member and a member of the Oregon team in the Oregon vs. Washington Senior All-Star Game; named her team’s best defender her sophomore and junior seasons and MVP her senior year, when she averaged 18 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while hitting 53.1 percent of her shots from the field; reached state meet as sophomore in the 800 meters in track
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox for multiple reasons. For one, my older brother went here and had an amazing experience. I believe that a small, Christian-based school is the best fit for me personally, and I want a high-quality education, which I believe George Fox offers. I have had great conversations with the coaching staff of the women's basketball team, and I love Coach Meek and the way he runs his program. I also wanted to be able to compete in both basketball and track, and George Fox is the perfect place to do so. The basketball and track programs have been very successful in the past, so I am very excited to be a part of both of them.
Name: Jack Ellis
High School: Redmond High School
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): Javelin
Height / Weight: 5' 10"/155
High School Highlights:
A four-year varsity javelin athlete and two-year team captain, throwing 167’6”. Washington State meet qualifier as a junior.
Why I chose George Fox:
From the first moment I set foot on the George Fox campus, I was very impressed with everyone I encountered. The students I talked to, the admissions staff, and the track coach and athletes welcomed me with encouragement. I am super excited for my future at George Fox as a Christian, student, and athlete.
Name: Autum Franklin
High School: Bethel High School (Spanaway, Washington)
Sport(s): Cross country; track and field
Height / Weight: 5-6
High School Highlights:
Earned second-team all-league honors (South Division of South Puget Sound League), was a state participant as a senior; served as a team captain from 2014 to 2017; ran a 5K of 20 minutes, 24 seconds as a senior and ran times of 2:27 (800 meters) and 1:02 (400 meters) her junior year
Why I chose George Fox:
I like the environment that George Fox offers.
Name: Bethany Gingerich
High School: Sweet Home High School (Sweet Home, Oregon)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): 400 meters
Height / Weight: 5-7
High School Highlights:
Named her team’s track MVP in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and was squad’s Track Sprinter of the Year in 2015 and 2016; earned first-team all-league honors in both the 200 and 400 meters as a sophomore and was a second-team all-league 200 and 400 runner her freshman season; was a second-team all-league 4X100 relay runner as a freshman and sophomore
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox because of the relationship-based team and personal coaches.
Name: Colby Harper
High School: Stratford High School (Houston, Texas)
Sport(s): Cross country and track and field
Position(s): Distance events
Height / Weight: 6-2, 150
High School Highlights:
A four-year varsity performer in track and three-year runner in cross country; earned state finalist honors as a sophomore in cross country; posted times of 9 minutes, 59 seconds (3,200 meters), 4:36 (1,600 meters), 35:29 (10K) and one hour, 18 minutes (half marathon) as a senior; earned team’s Spartan Award (for work ethic) and served as cross country co-team captain his senior year
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox because the academic programs, the coaching staff/team and the campus felt right for me. I am confident that I will accomplish my goals here as a student-athlete.
Name: Dayven Hayes
High School: Powers High School (Powers, Oregon)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): Shot put and discus
Height / Weight: 5-11, 285
High School Highlights:
Placed second in state (Class 1A) in 2017; threw shot 43 feet, 7 inches and the discus 111-7 as a senior
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox because I fell in love with everything about it. I’m amazed by the campus, the people, the church aspect of it, and the athletic community.
Name: Ethan Kassenbaum
High School: Oregon City High School (Oregon City, Oregon)
Sport(s): Football, Track and field
Position(s): Runningback, Punter
Height / Weight: 6 ft./185
High School Highlights:
First Team All-State Punter in 2017; Second Team All League Runningback in 2017; Honorable Mention Linebacker in 2017; 2nd Team All-League Linebacker in 2016; Honorable Mention Runningback in 2016
Why I chose George Fox:
George Fox felt like where I belonged. From academics to fundamental beliefs, George Fox met my criteria the best. I have chosen George Fox because I believe its community will put into me as much as I put into it.
Name: Ashley Korb-Doty
High School: Newberg High School
Sport(s): Track and field
Height / Weight: 5' 4"
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox because it is a family. On and off the track, everyone is so kind and encouraging. I can’t wait to be apart of something so great!
Name: Marisa Meyer
High School: Wilsonville High School (Wilsonville, Oregon)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): Jumps and sprints
Height / Weight: 5-6
High School Highlights:
Earned Northwest Oregon Conference all-league honors in the triple jump and long jump in both 2016 and 2017; was an all-league competitor in the 100 meters and in the 4X100 relay in 2017; earned NWOC scholar-athlete honors in 2016 and 2017; placed eighth at the Class 5A state track meet in the triple jump in 2017; recipient of Wilsonville High School Coaches Award in 2016 and 2017; posted marks of 34 feet, 2 inches (triple jump), 15-10 (long jump) and 13.27 seconds (100 meters) as a junior
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox because of the value it places on the individual. I knew that George Fox would allow me to pursue track and field, science, and my love of Christ.
Name: Emma Moon
High School: W.F. West High School (Chehalis, Washington)
Sport(s): Cross country; track and field
Position(s): Distances
Height / Weight: 5-0
High School Highlights:
Competed in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s state track meet her freshman through junior seasons and in the WIAA’s state cross country championships as a junior and senior; earned first-team all-league honors in track (Class 2A Evergreen Conference) her freshman through junior years and was a first-team all-league runner in cross country as a junior and senior; recipient of Evergreen’s All-Academic Award all four years of high school; named her team’s “Hardest Working Female Athlete” in track her sophomore and junior years and was a team captain in both track and cross country her junior and senior seasons; ran 5,000-meter PR of 20 minutes, 5 seconds and a 15:13 time in 2.23-mile distance her senior year
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox because I felt as if all of the staff members, department faculty, counselors and coaches genuinely cared about my success in their program and at their school. The quality of the George Fox nursing program was another significant aspect in my decision. Another deciding factor was the opportunity to run at George Fox and the training program the coaches use.
Name: Byron Morris
High School: Newberg High School (Newberg, Oregon)
Sport(s): Football, Track & Field
Position(s): Wide Receiver
Height / Weight: 5’ 8”, 160
High School Highlights:
No Statistics Available
Why I chose George Fox:
I want a great education.
Name: Krista Mulkey
High School: Salem Academy (Salem, Oregon)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): Sprinter
Height / Weight: 5’ 8”
High School Highlights:
2nd in District for 400m; 3rd in the 4x4 at District meet; 11th in State for 400m
Why I chose George Fox:
It's a small campus environment and the students, staff, and coaches have all been friendly and welcoming.
Name: Olivia Nygreen
High School: Chelan High School (Chelan, Washington)
Sport(s): Cross country
Height / Weight: 5-7
High School Highlights:
Earned second-team all-league (Class 1A Caribou Trail League) as a freshman and junior; named first-team all-league as a sophomore and made league’s honorable mention list as a senior; state participant as a freshman, sophomore and junior; recipient of team’s Coaches Award her senior season and was a team captain as a junior; earned a letter all four years of high school
Why I chose George Fox:
I had an instant connection during my first visit to Fox. It felt like home - a place where I felt welcomed, wanted, and where I can grow in my faith as both a student and athlete.
Name: Madeleine O'Hare
High School: Monroe High School
Sport(s): Track & Field
Height / Weight: 5' 10'
High School Highlights:
Placed 1st at Conference meet in triple jump and high jump
Why I chose George Fox:
I got a feeling when I first stepped foot on campus that I belonged at George Fox. I know that my faith can grow and become stronger at George Fox, which is important to me.
Name: Sydney Radigan
High School: St. Stephen’s Academy (Portland, OR)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): Sprinter
Height / Weight: 5’ 9”
High School Highlights:
2017 OSAA 1A State Championships: 1st in 200m; 2nd in 100m, 8th in 4x100, 8th in 4x400; 2016 OSAA 1A State Championships: 3rd in 100m, 4th in 200m, 4th in 4x400
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox because of the welcoming Christian community. I plan to major in biology and am excited about the science programs at GFU. I can't wait to be Bruin!
Name: Dillon Rising
High School: Goldendale High School (Goldendale, Washington)
Sport(s): Cross Country; Track & Field
Position(s): Sprints
Height / Weight: 5’ 11”, 158
High School Highlights:
Cross Country Team Captain; District Runner-Up; First Team All-League; State Meet Qualifier; Holds school record for 5k (15:53); Track & Field Captain
Why I chose George Fox:
I love the environment at George Fox. Everyone is there to become better students, Christians, and people in general. I was looking for a college that fit my lifestyle and educational needs, and I found both in George Fox University.
Name: Marcus Simpson
High School: Molalla High School (Molalla, Oregon)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): High jumper
Height / Weight: 5-10, 160
High School Highlights:
Earned first place at district his junior season (Class 4A Tri-Valley League), qualifying for state; earned a varsity letter all four years of high school and served as team captain his senior season
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox because I love the sport, and I believe that this university can and will push me to my full potential. I also chose it because the team and coaches are very accepting.
Name: Chrissy Strickland
High School: Churchill High School (Eugene, Oregon)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): Javelin
Height / Weight: 5’ 9”
High School Highlights:
Holds School Record for Javelin
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox because I am looking forward to excelling academically and athletically and to grow in my faith and form new, long lasting friendships while I'm here.
Name: Olivia Valente
High School: Santa Clara High School (Santa Clara, CA)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): Sprints, Long jump
Height / Weight: 5' 3"
High School Highlights:
School record holder in the 100m dash
School record holder in the 4x100m relay
No. 2 All-time 200m runner in school history
Why I chose George Fox:
I immediately fell in love the moment I stepped on to the campus. I am so excited to grow in my faith and to build strong, lifelong friendships through both the track team and with others.
Name: Ashlee Van Den Top
High School: Not Available
Sport(s): Cross Country, Track & Field
Name: Elizabeth Warren
High School: C.S. Lewis Academy (Newberg, Oregon)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): Sprinter
Height / Weight: 5’ 4”
High School Highlights:
Placed 7th in 400m at the OSAA State Track Meet (2015); Placed 9th in 400m at the OSAA State Track Meet (2016); Placed 4th in the 400m, 8th in the 100m and 9th in the 200m at OSAA State Track Meet (2017)
Why I chose George Fox:
I am so excited about all the programs I'm going to be involved with, athletic and academic.
Name: Peter Weiss
High School: Crean Lutheran High School (Irvine, California)
Sport(s): Track and field; cross country
Position(s): Distance events
Height / Weight: 5-8, 125
High School Highlights:
In cross country, earned first-team all-CIF Southern Section Division 4 (eighth place overall) in 2017; was a first-team all-league runner (second place overall) in 2017 and made his league’s first team in 2016, when he was third place overall; was a second-team all-league competitor (16th place overall) in 2015; in track, was the Academy League’s 3,200-meter champion in 2017 and its third-place finisher in 2016; helped cross country team win Academy League titles in 2015 and 2017 and place fifth at the California State Championships for D4 in 2016; helped track team win league titles in 2015 and 2017; set school record in three-mile run (15 minutes, 2 seconds) his senior year
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox because the academics are strong and I left campus visits with a sense that the community is strong and the cross country team is close-knit. Also, being able to receive a college education with Christ as a central focus means a lot to me, and I hope to grow in my faith at Fox!
Name: Luke Wellander
High School: Adna High School (Chehalis, Washington)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): 110M Hurdles
Height / Weight: 6'/150 lbs.
High School Highlights:
3rd Place at State Championship Meet in 2017, State Championship Meet Participant in 2016
Why I chose George Fox:
I chose George Fox because I fell in love with the campus instantly during my first visit. The campus and surrounding areas are so beautiful, and the staff was super friendly and inviting--making me feel right at home.
Name: Cyrus Williams
High School: Damonte Ranch High School (Reno, Nevada)
Sport(s): Football and track and field
Position(s): Defensive end (football); throwing events (track)
Height / Weight: 6-1, 230
High School Highlights:
Earned second-team all-league honors in football (Class 4A NIAA North Region) for his play as a defensive end and offensive tackle in 2017; also in football, he made the NIAA All-Academic Team in 2015, 2016 and 2017; in track, was an All-Region second-team discus thrower and a 2016-17 NIAA All-Academic Team recipient; as a senior, started every game at right tackle for top-scoring offense in the region and recorded 38 tackles; recorded a personal-best throw of 162 feet, 6 inches in discus as senior
Why I chose George Fox:
It was the perfect place for me spiritually, academically and athletically.
Name: Abbey Wood
High School: Ontario High School (Ontario, Oregon)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): Sprints
Height / Weight: 5’ 2”
High School Highlights:
2015, 2016, 2017 All-State Honorable Mention; 2015, 2016, 2017 Greater Oregon League Scholar Athlete
Why I chose George Fox:
It feels like a home away from home. I love the small, Christian environment and picked George Fox for it’s stellar academics. Meeting the coaching staff and my future teammates solidified my decision!
Name: Kamryn Yee
High School: Cleveland High School (Portland, Oregon)
Sport(s): Track and field
Position(s): Long Jump and Triple Jump
Height / Weight: 5’ 4”
High School Highlights:
Recorded high school PR’s 15'3 and 33'3.50
Why I chose George Fox:
I was interested in the athletic training program, and participating in track and field.
* Student-athletes listed above have accepted George Fox University's written offer of admission and/or financial aid. George Fox University is a member of the NCAA Div. III.
