Cross Country inks Penny for 2005-06

Monday, November 22, 2004

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 22, 2004) - Head Coach David E. Walker announced today that senior David Crockett High School stand out J Penny has signed a National Letter of Intent to run for the Buccaneer cross country and track and field teams beginning in the 2005-06 season. Penny is ETSU's first cross country and track and field recruit to sign for the 2005-06 season.

The Jonesborough, Tenn. native is a three-year varsity distance runner for David Crockett HS. This year Penny won three local races, including a 15:31 three-mile run at the Tusculum College, finished second in the region, and finished in the top 30 in the state in cross country.

"I'm excited to have a local athlete of J's caliber join our team and I hope that this is a trend we will be able to continue in the future," stated Walker. "I feel he will fit nicely into our distance program. He has a tremendous work ethic and has the mental and physical make up to be competitive at the collegiate level and become an even better athlete."

During this past summer Penny also competed in several road races, he finished first at the Blue Plum 5K race in Johnson City, finished in the top 10 at the Apple Fest four miler, and in the top 35 at Kingsport's Crazy Eights 8K run. In his junior year, he earned All-Big Seven Conference in the 1600 and 3200 and All-Region One honors. Penny has recorded personal bests of 15:31 for a three-mile run and 28:04 for an 8K run.