The Henderson State University’s fledgling women’s cross country program under head coach Brenda Joiner appears to be wisely creating a pipeline of talent from one of the top high school programs in the state.
On Tuesday, she added her third and fourth recruits from the Bryant High School program as seniors Marley Adams and Mikayla Douglas signed letters of intent to continue their educations and cross country careers with HSU.
Joiner already has former Bryant runners Ashlyn Lessenberry and Stacy Emmerling on the roster and, according to Bryant head coach Danny Westbrook, may have an underclassman or two looking at HSU in their future.
“Marley and Mikayla join a long line of outstanding distance runners that have gained college scholarships through our program,” Westbrook noted at the signing ceremony at Bryant High School on Tuesday. “Their dedication, hard work, and commitment have made them very successful high school athletes. Those attributes have also provided them this opportunity to continue competing, along with pursuing a college degree.”
Both Adams and Douglas were members of the Lady Hornets’ 2010 Central Conference championship in cross country.
Adams, the daughter of Angie and Terry Adams, is a four-year letterman for the Lady Hornets. She was named All Conference in 2010. She plans to pursue a degree in Nursing.
Douglas, the daughter of Angela and Shawn Douglas, is a three-year letterman in cross country and a four-year letterman for the Lady Hornet swim team. She plans to pursue a degree in Special Education teaching.
Both young ladies mentioned the fact that Lessenberry and Emmerling are there was a factor in their decision.
“I’ve wanted to go there since I was in seventh grade,” added Adams, who said she didn’t really consider other colleges. “It’s just always been Henderson.”
“My brother has gone there too,” Douglas mentioned. “He swims at Henderson and I’m going to run. It’s where I’ve been wanting to go since I was little.”
Asked when she started running, Douglas answered, “The Little Rockers One-mile when I was like 10. I’ve always loved running, just for the fun of it.”
As for Adams, “It was the summer before my sixth grade year. My cousin and her dad — he’s always run marathons and stuff — they asked me if I wanted to run the 5K one Saturday.”
First impressions weren’t the best, she allowed. “I said I’d never do one again. But, obviously, that didn’t stop me.”
No doubt, Coach Joiner appreciates that.
