Bristol, Tenn. (Feb. 3, 2010) ---- King College head cross country Coach Peter Dalton today announced the 2010 recruiting class. Spencer Frantom (Morristown, Tenn.), Kendra Sokol (Kingsport, Tenn.), Taylor Dix (Bartlett, Tenn.) and Mary Ferrell (Richlands, Va.) highlight the fist NCAA D-II recruiting class for team Tornado.
Frantom, the individual runner-up at the 2009 AAA Tennessee State Cross Country Championships led the Morristown West Trojans to the team title also. An All-Conference and All-Region selection every year of his high school career, under the guidance of coach Raymond Farmer, Frantom was also an All-State selection during the 2008 and 2009 season. Possessing personal records of 15:31 for 5,000 meters cross country and 9:35 for the 2-mile on the track Frantom will make an immediate impact with team Tornado.
“Spencer’s addition to the King distance squad will ensure that we enter the NCAA D-II on a national level immediately,” commented head coach Dalton. “Spencer is a student of his sport and recognized the exciting things going on here at King. He’s a great athlete and a great person and I’m looking forward to seeing him succeed in all areas of college life.”
Frantom is a member of the honors program at Morristown West and is the son of Philip and Leslie Frantom.
Sokol, claimed sixth pace individually at the 2009 Tennessee State Cross Country Championships. Boasting a 5,000 meter personal record of 19:01 Sokol has all the attributes needed to help the Lady Tornado squad achieve national cross country prominence in 2010. With numerous All-Conference, All-Region and All-State honors Sokol will be one to watch for on the track also where her natural speed is evident with personal records of 11:35 for the two-mile and 5:25 for the mile.
“Kendra’s talent is endless,” commented Dalton. “Her will to win and proven leadership skills at a high level are evident. Her dedication to her teammates is also another characteristic Kendra possesses, and it’s admirable.”
Kendra plans to major in nursing and missions while at King.
Dix, a Red Raider standout from The Baylor School, finished 15th and picked up All-State accolades at the 2009 A Tennessee State Cross Country Championships. Also a member of the 2007 and 2008 A Tennessee State Cross Country Championship winning teams Dix owns a personal record of 16:54 for 5,000 meters. An experienced athlete on the track also Dix has a personal record of 4:37 for the mile and was a member of the 4 x 800 meter relay team that finished 5th at the 2008 Tennessee State Outdoor Championships. Dix is also a recipient of the Mary Ellen Locher Foundation which has been established to help families that have been affected by breast cancer. Dix’s mother is a survivor of breast cancer for over four years.
“Taylor knows what hard work is and I am certain that this attitude will pay-off,” said Dalton. “He’s from a solid high school program and I know his transition to the college level will be seamless.”
Taylor is a member of the National Honors Society and plans to major in Biology and Pre-Med at King and is the son of Phillip and Ruth Ann Dix.
Ferrell comes to King as a multi-sport high school athlete for the Richlands high school in track, cross country, softball and basketball. Athletic ability is not a problem for Ferrell as she has seen success in every sport throughout her prep career. Amassing numerous All-Southwest and All-Region softball and basketball honors Ferrell also stormed to a senior year personal record of 20:12 for 5,000 meters cross country and has a personal record of 3:17 for the 1,000 meters.
“Mary is a very talented young lady and I know that once she is in the Lady Tornado system she will flourish,” commented Dalton . “Her ability and work ethic is a strong combination that is sure to succeed.”
Mary is the daughter of Rick and Colleen Ferrell.