Cornell University Athletics

ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell women’s track and field team announces the addition of 23 new freshmen to their 2009-2010 squad, including seven state high school champions. The incoming athletes cover all event areas and many are expected to impact the team immediately.

In the field events the Red are looking to nine newcomers to make their mark in 2010:

Nicole Corey – Bronxville, NY/College of Human Ecology
A transfer from the University of Maryland, Nicole adds depth to a deep pole vault group having been over 11-9 several times as a prep at Bronxville HS.

Sonate Dan-Princewill – Katy, Texas/College of Hotel Administration
A Texas regional qualifier Sonate excelled in the jumps and sprints and owns a best of 5-6 in the high jump.  She began taking up the long jump in her senior season and hit 18-4 as a novice.

Rebecca DeLong –  Slatington, PA/College of Arts and Sciences
Becky is one of Pennsylvania’s top long jumpers and a district champion at 18-3.

Claire Dishong – Brockport, NY/College of Arts and Sciences
Among New York’s best in the discus Claire has a best of 153-6 and is a state placer and her sectional champion.  A talented over-all athlete she also has pole-vaulted 11-8.

Brittany Dombrowski – Queens, NY/College of Arts and Sciences
A talented javelin thrower, Brittany has a best of 129-10.  One of New York states best in an event not allowed in the state track and field meet.

Ailish Hanly – Westford NY/College of Human Ecology
A regular scorer at the Massachusetts state meet, Ailish owns a best of 5-5 in the high jump.

Victoria Imbesi – South Jersey, NJ/College of Arts and Sciences
Rated by Track and Field News among the top five prep javelin throwers in the country, Victoria has a best of 151-3.  She also excels in the shot put, 43-6 and the discus, 146-8.  A New Jersey state champion Victoria should impact an already impressive weight group.

Savannah Johnson – Tahoma, WA/College of Arts and Sciences
Rated among the nations top triple talents by Track and Field News, Savannah finished third at the Arcadia Invite in California and owns a best 40-6 in her specialty.  She complements her jumping abilities with excellent sprint times having run 25.0 for 200 meters.

Lindsey Patterson – Atkinson, NH/College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
The New Hampshire state pole vault champion, Lindsey owns a best pole vault mark of 12-5. She competed in her jumping events only outdoors and has a huge upside, blessed with good speed and solid technique.

On the track, the Red will be aided by these 14 newcomers:

Kathryn Buchan – Fayetteville, NY/College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
The 2007 New York state champion at 1500 meters, Kathyrn was an integral part of two Nike National Champion cross country teams at Fayetteville-Manlius.  Kathryn is a 4:37 1500 meter runner with extensive cross country experience.

Sarah Cariati – Franklin, NJ/College of Arts and Sciences
A six time high school All-American, Sarah was an integral part of the program at Pope John XXIII.  With PR’s of 2:15 for 800 and 4:59 for 1600, Sarah was also one of New Jersey’s best in cross country.

Maria Catanzarite – South Bend, IN/College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Third in the Indiana state meet in the 800 meters as a senior, Maria is a terrific middle distance runner who has a personal best of 2:13.81.

Cara Costich – Wilton, CT/College of Arts and Sciences
A rapidly improving middle distance and distance runner, Cara emerged as one of Connecticut’s best in both cross country and track as a senior.  Cara has run 5:06 for 1600 and 11:04 for 3200 meters.

Mari Giurastante – Binghamton, NY/College of Arts and Sciences
Mari is the New York state high school champion at the 400 meter hurdles and has great long sprint marks.  She competed at the Penn Relays and owns a best mark of 61.76 for the long hurdle event.

Genna Hartung – Morrisonville, NY/College of Human Ecology
One of the finest distance runners in New York state, Genna has personal bests of 4:41 for 1500 meters and 9:57 for 3K and was a New York state champion in the 3000 meters as a senior.  Seventh in the Nike Outdoor National meet at 5K, Genna is among the best in the Northeast in cross country.

Kelsey Karys – Newton, MA/College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
The Nike Northeast Regional cross country champion, Kelsey led off Newton South’s indoor and outdoor national championship 4 X Mile relays.  One of the top distance runners in Massachusetts throughout her high school career, Kelsey has PR’s of 4:59 for the mile and 10:48 for two miles.

Katie Kellner – West Windsor, NJ/College of Human Ecology
The runner-up in the 3200 meters at the 2009 New Jersey Meet of Champions, Katie was among the best distance runners in her state.  As a senior she qualified for the prestigious Footlocker National Cross Country Championships and enters Cornell with bests of 9:55.67 for 3K and 10:34.04 for 3200 meters.

Marie McKenna – Perkasie, PA/College of Human Ecology
A 2:13 800 meter runner, Marie has emerged as one of the top middle distance talents in Pennsylvania.

Libby O’Brien – Glen Ellyn, IL/College of Industrial & Labor Relations
Libby led her Glenbard South team to the Illinois state 4 X 400 championship anchoring in 55.8.  A many times state scorer she enters Cornell with a 400 meter open best of 56.34 and is a fantastic competitor.

Alyssa O’Connor – Bend, OR/College of Arts and Sciences
The Oregon state champion at both 800 and 1500 meters, Alyssa is a terrific cross country competitor as well.  With personal bests of 2:12.00 and 4:35.21, Alyssa has great range and is also a competitive swimmer, cross country skier and triathlete.

Liz Reamer – Ithaca, NY/College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Liz is a many times state qualifier with an 800 meter best of 2:14 who was also an important part of Ithaca’s cross country team.

Katie Rosettie – Corning, NY/College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
One of the best distance runners to emerge from the Southern Tier of New York state in recent years, Kate is a many times state meet qualifier and has a 3000 meter personal best of 10:10.80.

Sheveena Rowe – Queens, NY/College of Arts and Sciences
Many times a New York City (PSAL) scorer in the sprints, Sheveena is her borough champ.  She owns best 55 meter dash times of 7.19 and 100 meters at 11.98 and 200 meters at 24.85.  Known for her great start Sheveena should get a serious look on the Reds 4 X 100 relay.