WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - Monmouth University's Head Coach/Director of Track and Field and Cross Country,
Mike Nelson, has announced the addition of 19 student athletes who will be joining the women's track and field program ahead of the 2023 fall semester.
"We're thrilled to announce our 2023 recruiting class," Nelson said. "Our staff worked diligently to bring in some extremely talented men and women. These individuals will help us climb the ranks of the CAA. We learned a lot in our first year in the new conference. The competition is on another level. It's important for us to recruit a well-balanced group with the talent and work ethic to score in this league. We look forward to helping these newcomers chase their academic and athletic goals. Fly Hawks!"
Hannah Birdsall
Graduate Student
Oceanport, NJ / Shore Regional / Rhode Island
Cross Country/Middle Distance
Before Monmouth: Transfers to Monmouth after spending four seasons at the University of Rhode Island … Attended Shore Regional High School and graduated in 2019 … Named NEICAAA Team Champions in 2023 at URI … Ninth-best all-time mark at URI in the 800m … Top-10 all-time mark at URI in the 500m … 2023 NEICAAA Outdoor Team Champion … 2022 NEICAAA Team Runner-Up … Best times include 58.08 in the 400m, 1:15.90 in the 500m, 1:37 in the 600m, and 2:11 in the 800m.
Personal: Parents are Kimberly and Gerald Birdsall … intends to major in Speech-Language Pathology.
Ella Burnham
Freshman
Landenberg, VA / Kennett
Middle Distance/Long Distance
Before Monmouth: Won three letters at Kennett High School under head coach John Ramagno … Named First Team All-League in cross country in 2021 and 2022 … A state finalist for indoor track and field as a junior … Two-time team captain of both cross country and track and field … Named to the All-Area track and field team in 2023 … Received the Anna M. Ott Memorial Physical Education Award in 2023 … Best times include 2:19.11 in the 800m, 5:11 in the 1600m, 11:37.06 in the 3200m, and 19:18 in the 5K (XC).
Personal: Daughter of Kristin and Jim Burnham … intends to major in Health Sciences.
Elena Noel Cicchini
Freshman
Mullica Hill, NJ / Bishop Eustace
Cross Country/Middle Distance/Long Distance
Before Monmouth: First Team All-Conference for cross country in all 4 years at Bishop Eustace … First Team All-Conference for outdoor track and Second Team for indoor as a senior … Placed second in the Non-Public Group B Indoor State Championship as a senior … Placed third in the Non-Public Group B Cross Country Championship as a senior … 2022 Conference Champion in cross country … Best times include 5:18 in the 1600m, 11:31 in the 3200m, and 18:53 in the 5K (XC).
Personal: Parents are Perry and Jeannine Cicchini … intends to major in Biology.
Rachael Collins
Freshman
Honesdale, PA / Honesdale
Sprints
Before Monmouth: District Champion at Honesdale High School … Received Track Performer of the Year in 2023 … Was an All-Star Athlete in 2021, 2022, and 2023 … School Record Holder in the 100m, 400m, and 200m … Best times include 25.53 in the 200m and 57.29 in the 400m.
Personal: Parents are Michael and Erika Collins ... intends to major in Elementary Education.
Gioanna Curci
Senior
Toms River, NJ / Red Bank Catholic / San Diego
Cross Country/Middle Distance
Before Monmouth: Received athletic honors at Red Bank Catholic High School … Received NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete Award … NJSIAA Non-Public A Team State Champion in 2018 and 2019 … Rostered at the University of San Diego in 2020-21 but did not see playing time … Best times include 2:16 in the 800m and 19:03 in the 5K (XC).
Personal: Parents are Tina and Pat Curci ... intends to major in Biology.
Flavia Daniels
Freshman
Gengenbach, Germany / North Cross School
Jumps/Hurdles
Captain at the North Cross School … Was named All-Conference … State Champion in both indoor and outdoor high jump in 2023 … State champion in 100m hurdles in 2022 … Named Team MVP all seasons … Best marks include 1.65m in the high jump, 5.28m in the long jump, and 15.73 in the 100mH.
Personal: Parents are Judith and Sebastian Daniels ... intends to major in Business.
Faith DeCarlo
Freshman
Oreland, PA / Mount Saint Joseph Academy
Multis/Pole Vault
Before Monmouth: Named All-Conference twice at Mount Saint Joseph Academy … Won multiple championships … Best marks include 3.35m in the pole vault and 1.57m in the high jump.
Personal: Parents are MJ and Dan DeCarlo … intends to major in Biology.
Amandine Adeline Fernandez
Freshman
Bogota, NJ / Bogota Jr./Sr.
Cross Country/Middle Distance/Long Distance
Triple Crown Champions at Bogota High School as a senior … County and Sectional Champion in cross country … Indoor track Sectional Champion for 3200m … County Champion in the 3200m for outdoor track … Best times include 2:29 in the 800m, 5:14 in the 1600m, 11:20.91 in the 3200m, 18:46 in the 5K (Track), and 19:30 in the 5K (XC).
Personal: Parents are Monica and Pierre Fernandez … intends to major in Psychology.
Katie Fisher
Freshman
Point Pleasant, NJ / Point Pleasant Borough
Pole Vault
Before Monmouth: 2022 Winter and Spring MVP, as well as the 2023 Winter MVP at Point Pleasant Borough High School … First Team All-Shore Conference in her junior year … B-South Champion as a junior and senior … Ocean County Relay Champions in her senior year … Group II Sectional Champion as a senior … Best marks include 3.35m in the pole vault.
Personal: Parents are Brian and Jean Fisher ... intends to major in Health Studies/Exercise Science.
Kat Gilbert
Freshman
Saskatoon, Canada / Walter Murray Collegiate
Sprints
Before Monmouth: Named 2022 U18 Female Track Athlete of the Year … Ranked Saskatchewan's No. 1 2022 U18 Female Sprinter in the 100m and 200m … Provincial High School champion in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m in 2023 … Finished seventh in the 100m and 200m at the U18 Canadian Junior Nationals in 2022 … Was a 4x100m high school record holder in 2023 at Walter Murray Collegiate … Best times include 7.75 in the 60m, 12.25 in the 100m, and 25.60 in the 200m.
Personal: Parents are Kimberly and Bart Gilbert ... intends to major in Accounting.
Alana Henry
Freshman
Sicklerville, NJ / Winslow Township
Sprints/Middle Distance
Before Monmouth: Was a Conference, Sectional, State, and Sate Relay Champion at Winslow Township High School … Best times include 59.70 in the 400m and 2:24 in the 800m.
Personal: Parent is Ahmad Henry … intends to major in Business.
Juliana Hopeck
Freshman
Wyckoff, NJ / Eastern Christian
Hurdles
Before Monmouth: Competed in the 100mH and 400mH at Eastern Christian High School.
Personal: Parents are Elizabeth and Scott Hopeck … intends to major in Economics and Finance.
Ellie Keefer
Freshman
West Chester, PA / West Chester Bayard Rustin
Cross Country/Middle Distance/Long Distance
Before Monmouth: Five-time State Medalist at West Chester Bayard Rustin High School … Two-time National Medalist … First Team All-Chesmont Cross Country as a junior and senior … First Team All-Area in Track and Field as a sophomore, junior, and senior … All-Area Cross Country Runner of the Year as a junior and senior … Second Team All-State Cross Country as a junior … First Team All-State Cross Country as a senior … Indoor Track DMR All-American as a junior … Indoor Track 5000m All-American as a senior … Best times include 4:56.55 in the 1600m, 10:04.41 in the 3000m, 10:37.33 in the 3200m, 17:29.86 in the 3200m, 17:29.86 in the 5000m, and 17:44.30 in the 5K (XC).
Personal: Parents are Steve and Dana Keefer ... intends to major in Nursing.
Hailey Matz
Freshman
Edison, NJ / Edison
Sprints
Before Monmouth: Named All-Conference as a sophomore and senior at Edison High School … Was a two-time MVP, five-time Captains Award Winner, eight-time All-GMC, and six-time Coaches Award Winner … County Champion in the 4x800m … Divisional Champion in the 4x400m … Was the 400m Divisional Runner-Up … Was the 4x400m County Runner-Up … Cross Country Relay Division Runner-Up … Best times include 7.65 in the 55m, 61.60 in the 400m, and 2:29 in the 800m.
Personal: Parent is Kelly Eayres... intends to major in Finance.
Katie Miller
Graduate Student
Liverpool, United Kingdom / Liverpool College
Cross Country/Middle Distance/Long Distance
Before Monmouth: Attended Liverpool College in Liverpool, United Kingdom … Best times include 9:59 in the indoor 3000m and 17:09 in the 5K (XC).
Personal: Parents are Sharon and Jeff Miller ... going for MBA.
Lucy Shennan
Freshman
Auckland, New Zealand / Diocesan School for Girls
Sprints
Before Monmouth: Set the New Zealand 4x400m U18 record at 3:46.52 … Set the New Zealand 4x400m U19 record at 3:46.21 … Set the New Zealand Secondary School Senior 4x400m record at 3:56.21 … Set the Auckland U18 4x400m record at 3:46.52 … Set the Auckland U20 4x400m record at 3:46.52 … Was a 2023 National Champion in the 4x400m … Won Silver Medal in the Oceania Championships in U18 4x400m relay … Best times include 56.08 in the 400m and 2:12.49 in the 800m.
Personal: Parents are Jandi and John Shennan... intended major is currently undecided.
Emily Simko
Freshman
Horsham, PA / Hatboro Horsham
Cross Country/Middle Distance
Before Monmouth: Was Cross Country Captain and MVP twice at Hatboro Horsham High School … Received Hatboro Horsham High School Athletic Award at graduation … Also won the Hard-Working Hatter Award, Coaches Award, and Golden Girl Award … Was Liberty Division Record holder for 800m … Made First Team for cross country all four years … Named First Team All-League for 800m and 1600m senior year … Named Second Team All-League for 4x800m relay Senior Year … Made Second Team All-League for 1600m junior year … Best times include 2:10.47 in the 800m, 4:51.01 in the 1600m, and 18:06.10 in the 5K (XC).
Personal: Parents are Fred and Kristin Simko ... intends to major in Education.
Julie Thomas
Freshman
Commack, NY / Commack
Throws
Before Monmouth: Five-time Suffolk County Champion for shot put while at Commack High School … Placed first in the 2023 Suffolk County weight throw and discus events … Three-time New York State shot put champion … Two-time New Balance All-American … Commack High School Female Athlete of the Year in 2023 … Also competed in volleyball … Best marks include 12.80m in the weight throw, 13.70m in the indoor shot put, 13.84m in the outdoor shot put, and 44.50m in the discus.
Personal: Daughter of Michael and Jennifer Thomas … intended major is Elementary Education.
Pao Valle Alarcia
Freshman
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain / IES Canarias Cabrera Pinto
Jumps
Before Monmouth: Attended IES Canarias Cabrera Pinto in Spain … Placed second in National Championship.
Personal: Parents are Lucía Ángeles Alarcia Peter and Miguel Ángel Valle Prieto... intends to major in Nursing.
Erin Vincent
Freshman
Easton, PA / Easton Area
Cross Country/Middle Distance
Before Monmouth: First Team All-Conference in cross country as a junior and senior at Easton … First Team All-Conference in the 4x400m as a sophomore and junior … Made First Team in the 4x800m in her junior year … Was Second Team in the 1600m as a junior … Second Team in the 800m, 4x400m, and 4x800m as a senior … Placed in the indoor states in the 4x400m as a junior … Placed at indoor states in the 800m as a senior … Best times include 2:15.53 in the 800m, 5:12.96 in the 1600m, and 19:25 in the 5K (XC).
Personal: Parents are Jeff and Carole Vincent ... intends to major in Biology.
