In two of the more anticipated college selections in the great PA class of 2008, Methacton senior Ryann Krais has given a verbal commitment to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), while Easton's Chanelle Price has given a verbal to the University of Tennessee.
Krais, the holder of state and national records in the hurdles and heptathlon, will join former PA star Nicole Leach in a program renowned for their coaching, especially in the hurdles and multis. The short list of schools Krais had considered also included Stanford, Virginia Tech, Texas and South Carolina.
Price, who has the 3rd best-ever prep 800, and who made the finals of the US Championships this past summer, selected Tennessee, also because of coaching. Head coach J.J. Clark is married to five-time Olympian Jeryl, and is the brother and coach of four-time Olympian Joetta, and two-time Olympian Hazel. His spouse holds the U.S. record in the 800. Price's final list also included UCLA, along with USC and the University of Michigan.
From the official news release on Ryann Krais, Sunday November 18: Methacton Girls Track and Field senior, Ryann Krais, has made a verbal commitment to attend UCLA in the fall of 2008. Krais selected UCLA because of their outstanding reputation as both an academic and athletic university. The national sophomore and junior class record holder in the heptathlon will be coached by former Olympians Jeanette Bolden (Head Coach) and Mike Powell (Jumps Coach), as well as the most successful heptathlon coach in the sport, Bob Kersee. Coming off the 2007 season where Ryann set the PA record in the 400M Hurdles (she also holds the PA 300M Hurdle record), won the 400M Hurdles at the Penn Relays and placed 3rd in the World Youth Championships in that event, by attending UCLA she will have the opportunity to compete in both the hurdles and the heptathlon.