Lauren Penney, from Succasunna, N.J., is one of nine new student-athletes to don the Orange in 2008-09.
Four Foot Locker Finalists Highlight 2008-09 Cross Country/Track & Field Signing Class
2/28/2008 10:11:13 AM | Cross Country
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University cross country and track & field head coach Chris Fox has announced the signing of nine student-athletes to national letters of intent. The newest Syracuse class boasts four 2007 Foot Locker finalists, the premiere running event in high school cross country. Additionally, four all-region selections, one first-team all-state honoree and a Nike Outdoor National All-American will don the Orange in 2008-09.
“As a group, we feel this is one of the top recruiting classes in the country,” Fox said. “We’ve built two strong programs that have attracted some of the most elite high school athletes. This is certainly one of the best signing classes in Syracuse cross country and track & field history.”
Men Signees
Pat DuPont, of Fairport, N.Y., is a 2007 Foot Locker Finalist. He is the 2007 New York Federation and New York Class AA Cross Country Champion, and earned Northeast All-Region laurels. DuPont has posted personal-best times of 9:35.80 and 9:27.48 in the 3000m Steeplechase and 3200m run, respectively.
Griff Graves, from Abingdon, Va., is a two-time Foot Locker finalist and South All-Region honoree. He competed in the 2006 USATF Junior Cross Country Championships, finishing ninth. Graves is the 2006 Virginia Class AA Cross Country Champion. He has tallied a career-best time of 4:17.70 in the 1600m run, and 9:14.14 in the 3200m run.
Tito Medrano, a Lafayette, Ind., native, competed in the Foot Locker Championship in 2007 and was awarded Midwest All-Region recognition. He is a four-time state cross country qualifier. Medrano has tallied personal-best performances of 4:18.77 and 9:07.81 in the 1600 and 3200m runs, respectively.
Zach Rivers, the second of four New York commitments from Victor, N.Y., is a 2007 Foot Locker finalist and joined DuPont with Northeast All-Region laurels. He finished third at the 2007 New York Federation Championships and captured the 2006 New York Class A individual crown. Rivers is the 2007 US Junior National Mountain Running Champion and placed second at the 2006 US Junior National 5K Snowshoe. His personal-best time in the 3000m steeplechase is 9:40.60.
Women Signees
Natalie Busby, from New Paltz, N.Y. and the sister of current Orange standout Dan Busby, is a four-time Section IX Class B Champion and a four-time Mid-Hudson Athletic League Champion. She is a first-team Class B cross country selection and a member of the 2008 Mid-Atlantic Junior Olympic Cross Country ski team. Busby has tallied personal-best times of 4:42.15 in the 1500m run, and 10:00.40 in the 3000m run.
Carly Hamond, a West Chester, Pa., native, is the 2007 Pennsylvania District I Cross Country Champion and a third-place finisher at the Class AAA State Championship. She finished 19th at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional and second in the 3200m run at the Class AAA State Outdoor Championship. Hammond has posted career-best performances of 5:00.27 and 10:44.76 in the 1600m and 3200m runs, respectively.
Paige Mullins, a local product from Binghamton, N.Y., is a three-time Southern Tier Athletic Conference honoree and the 2007 Section IV Class B Cross Country Champion. She finished at the Class B State Cross Country Championship in 2006. Mullins boasts personal-best times of 4:46.70 in the 1500m run, and 10:16.38 in the 3000m run.
Lauren Penney, from Succasunna, N.J., is a 2007 first-team all-state honoree and a multiple Nike Outdoor National All-American. She is the 2007 Morris County Cross Country Champion and a state medalist in the 3200m run at the 2007 outdoor championship. Penney placed 15th at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional. She has tallied career-best performances of 2:16 in the 800m run, 4:58.69 in the 1600m run and 10:44.84 in the 3200m run.
Heather Stephens, a Ridgefield, Conn., native, is the 2007 Connecticut State Open and State Large School Cross Country Champion. She placed 15th at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional in 2006 and finished second at the Connecticut State Open Cross Country Championship. Stephens is the 2008 Connecticut State Open 3200m Indoor Champion. She has recorded personal-best times of 4:56.74 and 10:45.11 in the mile and 3200m run.
Women's Lacrosse Media Availability | March 5, 2026
Thursday, March 05
Men's Lacrosse Media Availability - March 5, 2026
Thursday, March 05
Stanchion to Stanchion | Laila Phelia
Wednesday, March 04
Naithan George postgame at Louisville
Wednesday, March 04
