BLACKSBURG – Eight distance runners and a pole vaulter comprise the latest recruiting class for the Virginia Tech track and field and cross country programs, as Dave Cianelli, the director of track and field and cross country, announced the members of his latest recruiting class on Thursday.
Cianelli and distance coach Eric Johannigmeier added both depth and talent to the women's distance group, bringing in six new prospects to the program for the 2019-20 season. The group consists of five who hail from Virginia, including local product Grace Boone, a Pulaski County native who grew up 30 minutes from campus and has won five state championships. Boone was one of the more sought out distance recruits in the nation.
The two men's distance runners who signed letters-of-intent also have ties to the state, with Edward Cerne hailing from Burke, Virginia and Antonio Lopez coming from Barcelona, Spain, but having spent a year at Colgan High School in Manassas as a foreign exchange student.
A pole vaulter rounds out the class, as Kennedy Drish, a native of Fishers, Indiana, signed with Tech. Drish has won two state titles and finished in the top five twice at the New Balance Nationals.
For a closer look at each prospect, please see below:
DISTANCE RUNNERSHANNAH BALLOWE
Hometown: Mechanicsville, Virginia
High school: St. Catherine's
Events: Distance
Career highlights:
- Has won 10 individual Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) state crowns during her career at St. Catherine's
- Won the VISAA state title in cross country this fall and led St. Catherine's to the team title
- Won state titles in the 1,000 and 1,600 at the VISAA state indoor meet as a junior with times of 2:58.88 and 5:09.97, respectively
- Won state titles in the 800 and 1,600 at the VISAA state outdoor meet as a junior with times of 2:14.69 and 5:13.78, respectively
- Won state titles in the 800, 1,000 and 1,600 (both indoor and outdoor) as a sophomore and also was on the 4x400 relay team that won a state crown
- Holds school records in the 400 and 800, along with being a member of the 4x400 relay teams (indoor and outdoor) that hold school records
- A first-team All-Met selection by the Richmond Times Dispatch on seven occasions
- Has led her team to seven state championships in her career
Why she chose Virginia Tech: "I chose Virginia Tech because I felt the most comfortable with the team members and the coaches there. When I was on my visit, it felt really easy and natural to fit in with everything. I also wanted a program where the athletes show improvement over their careers, and I know that this is the case at Virginia Tech. There are a lot of really great trails to train on in and around Blacksburg, so that was definitely factor as well."
Eric Johannigmeier on Ballowe: "Hannah has been dominant at the VISAA state championships, and has good range from 400 meters to cross country. We are looking forward to Hannah joining the Hokie family and continuing her racing success at Virginia Tech."
GRACE BOONE
Hometown: Pulaski, Virginia
High school: Pulaski County
Events: Distance
Career highlights
- Finished fourth at the Class 4A state cross country meet this fall
- A five-time state champion in track and field
- Won state titles in the 500 at the Class 4A state indoor meet as a sophomore
- Won state titles in the 500 and 1,000 at the Class 4A state indoor meet as a junior with times of 1:17.28 and 2:55.51, respectively
- Won the state title in the 400 and 800 at the Class 4A state outdoor meet as a junior with times of 56.63 and 2:14.76, respectively
- Finished seventh in the 800 at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals (2:07.46), with a time that was No. 2 in the state last season
- Was The Roanoke Times girls track and field Performer of the Year in 2017-18
- Holds seven school records at Pulaski County High
Why she chose Virginia Tech: "I decided to attend Virginia Tech because I have always wanted to go there on a scholarship ever since I was 8 years old. Being able to reach that goal, with running being my passion, is a dream come true for me. I believe the coaches and the team are able to help take me to the next level of running, and I am excited to be a part of such a great hard-working team."
Eric Johannigmeier on Boone: "Grace is a tough competitor, and last year was the No. 1 junior in the country at 800 meters. She has won numerous state titles at Pulaski High School, and we are glad that she has decided to stay close to home and add to our strong tradition in the middle distances."
LINDSEY BUTLER
Hometown: Corning, New York
High school: Corning
Events: Distance
Career highlights:
- Finished 27th at the NYSPHSAA state cross country meet – her first state cross country meet
- Qualified for the New York state championships in the 55- and 300-meter hurdles as a sophomore and junior
- Was one of the top hurdlers in New York in the 400-meter event with a personal-best time of 62.14 seconds
- Also ranked in the top 10 in the state in the 800 as a junior
- Finished second in the 800 at the New York state outdoor meet as a junior (2:10.17)
- Placed 10th in the 400-meter hurdles at the New Balance Nationals following her junior season (62.10)
Why she chose Virginia Tech: "I chose Virginia Tech because, on top of the positive and welcoming vibe of the team, I felt like Virginia Tech offered a good balance that would allow me to succeed both athletically and academically."
Eric Johannigmeier on Butler: "Lindsey is very new to distance running, with last year being her first year racing above a sprint. She had an awesome first cross country season, and we are excited to see the improvements in the fall lead to more impressive times in the middle distances this spring."
AVA HASSEBROCK
Hometown: Leesburg, Virginia
High school: Tuscarora
Events: Distance
Career highlights:
- Finished seventh at the Class 5A state cross country meet this fall
- Led Tuscarora High to the state title in cross country – its third consecutive state crown
- Was fifth in the 3,200 at the Class 5A state outdoor meet as a junior
- Also, finished fifth in the 1,600 at the Class 5A state outdoor meet her junior season
- A two-time choice to the All-Met track and field team by The Washington Post
- Holds the school record in the 800 and the 1,600
- A team captain both her junior and senior seasons
Why she chose Virginia Tech: "I chose Virginia Tech after my official visit and meeting the other girls on the team. They welcomed me from the first day. Besides the incredible coaches and running program, I made my final decision because of Virginia Tech's incredible academic reputation, and especially for what Virginia Tech does for its students in finding careers."
Eric Johannigmeier on Hassebrock: "Ava had a fantastic cross country season this year, running the top 5k time for a senior in the state of Virginia and leading her team to a state title. Ava has raced well on the track too, and we are thrilled to have her join our program."
CHASE KAPPELER
Hometown: Springfield, Virginia
High school: West Springfield
Events: Distance
Career highlights:
- Was the runner-up at the Class 6A state cross country meet this fall, leading her team to the state title
- Won the state title in the 1,600 at the Class 6A state outdoor meet as a junior (5:02.72)
- Ran the second leg on the 4x800 relay team that finished second at the Class 6A state outdoor meet her junior season
- Came in second in the 1,600 at the Class 6A state indoor meet as a junior (5:03.45)
- Finished fifth in the 1,000 at the Class 6A state indoor meet as a junior (3:02.36)
- Ran the second leg on the 4x800 relay team that won the state title at the Class 6A indoor meet her junior season
- A first-team All-Met choice by The Washington Post as a junior
Why she chose Virginia Tech: "I decided to attend Virginia Tech because, first of all, it felt like home right away. The atmosphere of the campus and the attitude of the students made me feel like I belonged and was wanted. Along with that, I knew that the coaching transition from my high school coach to my future college coach would make it extremely easy for me to feel comfortable since they are both super similar! Tech has had a ton of success with athletes from West Springfield, and I look forward to knowing that the running program will get to me to reach my full potential."
Eric Johannigmeier on Kappeler: "Chase has developed nicely throughout high school, improving each year, and running well when it counts in the postseason. We like that she comes from a great program at West Springfield and has been a leader on a state championship team."
NICOLE RE
Hometown: Chantilly, Virginia
High school: Chantilly
Events: Distance
Career highlights:
- Came in 11th overall at the Class 6A cross country meet this fall
- Won the state title in the 800 at the Class 6A state outdoor meet as a junior (2:13.73)
- Was third in the 1,000 at the Class 6A state indoor meet as a junior (2:59.63) – a race that future Virginia Tech teammate Olivia Duston won
- A two-time All-Class 6A selection as a junior
- A seven-time All-Class 6A selection during her career
- A member of the 4x400 indoor and outdoor relay squad that holds the school record in both events
- An honorable mention All-Met choice by The Washington Post as a junior
Why she chose Virginia Tech: "I decided to attend Virginia Tech because I love the team atmosphere and the school spirit. Also, HNFE [human nutrition, foods and exercise] is a major that really interests me."
Eric Johannigmeier on Re: "Nicole has an impressive high school resume, winning the 6A state title in the 800 as a junior. She has also continued to improve in cross country, and she will be a great addition to our middle distance group."
EDWARD CERNE
Hometown: Burke, Virginia
High school: Lake Braddock
Events: Distance
Career highlights:
- Finished third in the 1,600 at the Class 6A state outdoor meet his junior season (4:15.78)
- Came in 10th in the 800 at the Class 6A state outdoor meet his junior season (1:57.51)
- Ran the second leg on the 4x800 relay team that finished fourth at the Class 6A state outdoor meet his junior season
- Was fourth in the 1,000 at the Class 6A state indoor meet his junior season (2:34.69)
- Ran the second leg on the 4x800 relay team that finished fifth at the Class 6A state indoor meet his junior season
- An honorable mention All-Met choice by The Washington Post as a junior following the outdoor season
Eric Johannigmeier on Cerne: "Edward is one of the best middle distance runners in the state of Virginia and has shown speed and strength in the distance events. We liked Edward's focus and drive in the sport and his interest in continuing to improve in our program."
ANTONIO LOPEZ
Hometown: Barcelona, Spain
High school: Colgan
Events: Distance
Career highlights:
- Came to the U.S. as a foreign exchange student in 2016-17 and won the 3,200 at the Class 6A state outdoor meet that year for Colgan High School
- Placed ninth at the Class 6A state cross country meet in 2016
- Placed second in the 1,600 at the Class 6A state indoor meet in 2017
- A first-team All-Met selection in indoor track by The Washington Post in 2017
- Finished in second place in the 1,500 at the sub-20 indoor Spanish Championships earlier this year
- Came in 11th at the world high school cross country championships held in Paris this fall
Why he chose Virginia Tech: "I decided to be part of Virginia Tech since I believe it is the best place for me to grow as an athlete, as a student and as a person. I really like the connection I had with the team when I went on my visit, and also, I couldn't ignore the fact that Virginia Tech is a really successful program and I want to be part of this success in the future."
Eric Johannigmeier on Lopez: "Antonio is the fastest freshman we've had coming in the door at the 1,500/mile, and we are glad to have him back in the state of Virginia. Antonio will be here in January, and we can't wait to add him to our distance group of athletes."
POLE VAULTKENNEDY DRISH
Hometown: Fishers, Indiana
High school: Hamilton Southeastern
Events: Pole Vault
Career highlights:
- Placed fourth at the New Balance Nationals as a junior with a jump of 3.92 meters (12 feet, 10.25 inches)
- Won the state title in the pole vault at the IHSAA Girls Track & Field State Finals as a junior with a mark of 3.81 meters (12 feet, 6 inches)
- Placed third at the New Balance Nationals as a sophomore with a jump of 3.61 meters (11 feet, 10 inches)
- Won the state title in the pole vault at the IHSAA Girls Track & Field State Finals as a sophomore with a mark of 3.66 meters (12 feet, 0 inches)
Why she chose Virginia Tech: "I chose Virginia Tech because I felt an immediate connection with the team and coaches. I also fell in love with the town and being in the mountains. It felt like home."
Bob Phillips on Drish: "Kennedy is still relatively new to the vault, but is learning quickly. She is a really good athlete with great desire. We see a lot of long-term potential in her."