MORAGA, Calif. — The Saint Mary's men's and women's cross country programs welcome a talented group of seven new additions for the upcoming fall season, as the women will bring in five newcomers and the men will add two for 2018-19.
 
"Our incoming class highlights everything we look for in a recruiting class," said Saint Mary's hea coach Marty Kinsey. "We have some very talented athletes who have achieved a high level of success in their sport, as well as athletes who have shown great promise with lots of upside at the collegiate level. Across the board, everyone is a fantastic student and should fit in very well with our system and goals."
 
The women's newcomers include Nicole Huff from Kennett High School in Kennett Square, Pa., Angelina DazaSanchez from Holy Names University, Diablo Valley College and Alhambra High School out of nearby Martinez, Calif., Amrita Vepa from Monte Vista High School in Danville, Calif., Emily Parrott of Sacramento Waldorf High School in Fair Oaks, Calif., and Ally Sullivan out of South Tahoe High School in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
 
The men will add Anthony Vazquez from Manteca, Calif., who attended Central Catholic High School in Modesto, Calif., and Derek D'Amelia out of Troy High School in Fullerton, Calif. All seven of these newcomers will join the Gaels' four NLI signees from November (two men, two women) to form a strong recruiting class for the 2018-19 year.
 
Women
 
Nicole Huff, Kennett Square, Pa. (Kennett Square HS)
 
Personal Bests: 3,200 meters - 11:31, 3,200 (XC) - 12:09,  5 km (XC) - 19:14
 
Accomplishments: Winner of the 2015 White Clay Creek Classic … Won the 2017 Distance Project 3200m… Placed 4th in the Chesmont League in 2016.
 
Angelina DazaSanchez Martinez, Calif. (Holy Names/Diablo Valley College/Alhambra HS)
 
Accomplishments: Competed in the 4x400 at the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship ... Raced in 2016 CCCAA Cross Country State Championship … Was a competitor in the Junior College conference championships.
 
Amrita Vepa, Danville, Calif. (Monte Vista HS)
 
Personal Bests: 100 - 13.42,  200 - 27.65, 400 - 1:01.11
 
Accomplishments:  Was on the varsity track and field for four years … Raced in the NCS Tri-Valley 400 junior and senior year … Senior year at the NCS Tri- Valley Meet, she ran a 51.84 on the 4x400 relay team … Also played Tennis, earning two varsity letters.
 
Men
 
Anthony Vazquez, Manteca, Calif. (Central Catholic HS)
 
Personal Bests: 400 split 4x400: 51 sec, 800 - 1:57.52, 1,600 - 4:34:00, 3,200 - 10:11, 5 km (XC) - 16:35.8, 3 miles (XC) - 16:36.6
 
Accomplishments: Was a two-time first teamer in the Valley Oak League for track and field and cross country … Also, was recognized twice on the first team in Stanislaus County for both track and field and cross country … Two-time Valley Oak League champion in the varsity boys 800 … Was undefeated in the Valley Oak League in the 800 during his junior season … Two-time  Stanislaus County Champion in the 800 and in the 1,600 ... Won the 2016 Sac-Joaquin Section Championships for Cross Country.
 
Derek D'Amelia, Fullerton, Calif. (Troy HS)
 
Personal Bests: 3 miles - 15:08 , 3,200m-  9:44, 1,600 - 4:32
 
Accomplishments: Three-time Freeway league Champion (2015, 2016, 2017) in Track and Field ... Was a runner-up three times in the Freeway league in cross country ... Scholar-Athlete in varsity cross country and varsity track for three years.