Kansas City Cross Country Signees Released
8/30/2022 9:00:00 AM | Cross Country
The Roos will add 13 new runners for the year
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Cross Country has officially announced its signing classes for the 2022 year. In all, the teams will welcome 13 new student-athletes to campus.
"I am very grateful for this class," Coach Benaud Shirley said. "It is an honor that we were able to sign this great amount of quality young men and women. They will set a solid foundation, upon which the future success of our program will be built. I'm very excited."
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Rhys Allen | 5'11 | Olathe, Kan. | Olathe South HS
High School: KSHSAA All-State honoree … 5K personal best of 16:02 … Ran for Brocaw Blazers and Johnson County Comets
Personal: Born Sept. 23, 2003 … Mother Claire Allen … Has one sibling, Jake … Favorite food is enchiladas … Favorite color is blue … Intends to major in psychology
Why Kansas City?: "I would like to learn at a school that is well-educated in teaching my major and has great athletic programs."
Bret Beard | 6'0 | Olathe, Kan. | Olathe Northwest HS
High School: 2022 4x800m Sunflower League First Team … 2022 4x800m State Champion … 2022 4x400m Sunflower League First Team … 2022 4x400m State Champion … 2021 800m Honorable Mention All-League … 2021 4x800m Sunflower League Second Team … Fourth-place finish in 2021 800m state race … Third-place finish in 2021 4x800m state race … 2019 4x800m Sunflower League First Team … 2019 4x800m First Team All-State … 2019 4x800m State Champion … Holds school records in 800m and 4x800m … Played soccer for three years, winning a regional title in 2022
Personal: Born Aug. 9, 2003 in Wichita, Kan. … Parents Jeff and Gina Beard … Father Jeff was an All-American kicker at Friends University … Two siblings, Braeden and Jack … Braeden plays soccer at Drake … Twin brother Jack is also on the Kansas City XC team … Favorite color is red … Favorite food is pasta … Intends to major in business
Why Kansas City?: "I had a good connection with Coach Shirley and it felt like a good fit for me."
Jack Beard | 6'0 | Olathe, Kan. | Olathe Northwest HS
High School: First Team All-Sunflower League in the 4x800m relay … State Champion in the 4x800m … Personal best 4:20 mile … Holds school records in the mile and 4x800m … Also played soccer, where he was a regional champ
Personal: Born Aug. 9, 2003 in Wichita, Kan. … Parents Jeff and Gina Beard … Father Jeff was an All-American kicker at Friends University … Two siblings, Braeden and Bret … Braeden plays soccer at Drake … Twin brother Bret is also on the Kansas City XC team … Favorite movie is Avengers End Game … Favorite musical artist is Polo G … Intends to major in Business
Why Kansas City?: "I had a good meeting with the coaching staff and I am excited about the opportunity."
Samuel Cleary | 5'5 | Liberty, Mo. | Liberty HS
High School: All-Metro First Team honoree … Two-time All-Metro Honorable Mention … All-Conference Second Team … All-Conference Honorable Mention … Six-time varsity letter earner … Leaders Eat Last Servant Leadership Award Winner … Tim Nixon Culture Award Winner … Personal bests of 4:37 mile, 9:47 two mile and 16:14 5K
Personal: Born April 1, 2004 in Lynchburg, Va. … Parents Sean and Heather Cleary … Has two siblings, Phillip and Patrick … Two-time academic letter winner … Global Seal of Biliteracy … Member of chamber orchestra, National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society … Favorite movie is Lord of the Rings: Return of the King … Favorite colors are navy and gray … Speaks Spanish … Intends to major in electrical and computer engineering
Why Kansas City?: "Kansas City offered a campus close to home with my degree and a place on the cross country and track teams."
Joan Rocha | 6'0 | SC Tenerife, Canary Islands | La Salle San Ildefonso | Cardinal Stritch
2020-22 (Cardinal Stritch): CCAC All-Conference runner in 2021 … Placed 25th at 2021 8K Warrior Invitational with a time of 31:00.7 … Placed 2nd in the 1000m at CCAC Championships with a time of 2:35.02
High School: Ran for CA Milla Chicharrera 2007 … Placed fourth at 2019 Spanish Cross Country Nationals … Personal bests of 1:58 in the 800m and 4:09 in the 1500m
Personal: Born March 17, 2002 in Tarragona, Catalonia … parents Jose Rocha and Angela Navarro … Mother was a mountain runner and father was a triathlete … Has one sibling, Miguel … Also enjoys playing soccer … Intends to major in computer science/math and statistics
Why Kansas City?: "I wanted to improve both my academic and athletic experiences."
Evan Shory | 6'0 | Columbia, Mo. | Hickman HS | Pittsburg State
2021 (Pittsburg State): Did not run in any races for the Gorillas
High School: Was a standout athlete at Hickman HS
Personal: Born Feb. 6, 2003 in Chicago, Ill. … Parents Shanon Cary and Lein Shory … Has one sibling, Logan … Favorite food is Crawfish … Would like to live in Iceland … Intends to major in Psychology
Why Kansas City?: "I chose Kansas City because it seemed like a great fit for me academically and athletically."
Alex White | 5'7 | St. Louis, Mo. | Summer Creek HS
High School: Two-time 6A State Champion … Two-time All-American … Cross Country Team Captain … 2021-22 All-State track team of the year … Personal Bests - 400m: 49.4, 800m: 1:57, 1600m: 4:37 … Holds school record in 4x400m with time of 3:09 … Ran for Wings Track Team and Coach Derras Wilmington
Personal: Born March 22, 2004 … Mother Shannon White … Has eight siblings: Alexis, Jeremiah, Joshua, Anya, Ashleigh, Jaden, Jael and Austin … Favorite movie is Friday … Would like to live in Arizona
Why Kansas City?: "I saw that the team didn't get a chance to showcase its talent due to COVID reasons, so I felt like this was a great way to help put the team further on the map."
Kai White | 5'10 | Kansas City, Mo. | Staley HS
High School: Two-time Missouri Class 5 All-State 800m (4th in 2021, 2nd in 2022) … Two-time Missouri Suburban Red Conference Champ in 800m (2021, 22) … Two-time Missouri Suburban Red All-Conference in Cross Country (2020, 21) … Holds school record in 800m
Personal: Born March 22, 2004 … Parents Shaun White and Aki Yoshida … Has one sibling, Mei … Participated in Scholar Bowl, Band and A+ Program … Honored as AP Scholar with Distinction, Japanese Seal of Biliteracy, Spanish Seal of Biliteracy and KC Star Scholar Athlete … Favorite movie is Kung Fu Panda … Can name all 41 Survivor winner and 43 seasons in order … Speaks Japanese … Intends to major in Math and Statistics
Why Kansas City?: "I love the idea of running for my hometown team."
Alexander Zangara | 5'11 | Central, S.C. | Daniel HS | Charleston SouthernÂ
2019-21 (Charleston Southern): Ran a personal-best 25:08.2 at the 2021 8K Big South Championships … Ran a 26:16.9 in 2021 spring debut at 8K CSU Invite … Top-50 at 2021 8K FSU Classic … Ran a 19:26.9 at the 2019 6k Adidas Challenge
High School: 2016 & 17 Arkansas XC State Champ … 2018 South Carolina XC State Champ … 2019 South Carolina 4x800m State Champ … Daniel HS Track Athlete of the Year in 2019 … South Carolina Upstate XC Runner of the Year … Was a five-sport athlete, also playing basketball, football, soccer and track
Personal: Born March 28, 2001 … Parents Brian and Jennifer Zangara … Brian ran XC/T&F at Eastern Michigan … Has three siblings, Josh, Ashlyn and Hope … If he could live anywhere, he would choose 'Your mom's house' … Intends to major in business
Why Kansas City?: "Kansas City is closer to my girlfriend."
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Ella Casey | 5'4 | Grain Valley, Mo. | Grain Valley HS
High School: Four-time state qualifier … All-Conference … First Team All-District … Team Captain … Also participated in track
Personal: Born Dec. 31, 2003 … Parents Lora and Benjamin Casey … Has three siblings, Emily, Avery and Hudson … Was a member of FCCLA … Favorite color is pink … Wants to live in the mountains … Intends to major in health science
Why Kansas City?: "I love Kansas City."
Sommer Herner | St. Joseph, Mo. | Bishop LeBlond
2021 (Kansas): Finished the Bob Timmons Classic in first place on Sept 4th, 2021 … Finished the Gans Creek Classic in 44th place … Placed 101st at the FSU Invite/Pre-Nationals in Tallahassee, Florida with a time of 21:13.20
2019-20 (Kansas City): Competed in five indoor meets … Made school history as the first-ever female athlete to win both the WAC Outstanding Track Athlete and the WAC High Point award at the same time in the WAC indoor championships (2/28 )… At indoor championships, posted top overall individual finishes in the 800-meter and Mile runs, while also boasting a silver medal in the 3,000-meters … Set two PRs at the championships, in the 800-meter run (2:13.98) and the 3,000-meter run (2:13.98) … Took top medalist honors in the 800-meters at the Adidas Classic (2/1) with a time of 2:17.64 … Was first-place overall in the 1,000-meter run (2:54.46) at the Mel Tjeerdsma Classic (12/6)
2018-19 (Kansas City): In outdoor season, competed in six meets … Set a PR in the 1,500-meters at the Arkansas Twilight (5/3) with a clocking of 4:37.57 … Participated in 800-meters, 1,500-meters and 4×400 at WAC outdoor championships (5/9) … At USATF U20 Championships (6/21), took sixth overall in the 1,500-meter run with a mark of 4:43.07 … Competed in nine indoor meets … Finished first overall in the Distance Medley Relay (12:41.62) at the Jayhawk Classic (1/25) … Had 14 top-10 finishes throughout course of indoor season.
High School: Attended Bishop LeBlond … Three Sport Athlete in high school … All-District in Volleyball, Soccer and Track and Field … 2018 Volleyball and Soccer Team Captain … 2018 News-Press Volleyball Player of the Year … All-Region Offensive Player of the Year … All-State in Track and Field (2018)
Personal: Born June 21st, 2000 … Majoring in Business Management … Daughter of Greg and Desdi Herner … Sister of Sidney and Shelby
Alanie Rivera | 5'6 | Kissimmee, Fla. | Harmony HS
High School: Two-time Orange Belt conference champ in cross country (2019, 20) … Cross Country team captain (2019, 21) … Three-time Orange Belt conference champ in 800m (2019-21) … Orange Belt Conference Champ in 1600m (2021) … Two-time 3A State medalist in cross country (2019, 20) … Track & Field state medalist (2021) … Track & Field district and regional champion … Also participated in soccer and weightlifting … Two-time Harmony Athlete of the Year (2020, 21) … Holds school records in 5K, 800m, 4x400m and 4x800m … Also participated with Saint Cloud Soccer Club
Personal: Born Aug. 3, 2004 in Manhattan, N.Y. … Parents Karina and Samuel Rivera … Father Samuel played soccer at the University of San Martin de Porres … Has two siblings, Amaris and Ademar … Honors Roll all four years of high school … Member of Best Buddies Advisory Board, Beach Ocean Activists, peace and Justice Institute, National honor Society, Black Student Union and Student Council … Favorite shows include Shameless, HunterxHunter and Haikyuu … Favorite color is warm yellow … Loves plantains … Speaks Spanish … Intends to major in psychology/criminology
Why Kansas City?: "Kansas City meets all my needs. I have access to a city, and if necessary, I can go somewhere more secluded and nature-oriented. I have family here, Kansas City provides all four seasons and is more hilly than Florida, which is terrain I wanted to train on more often. I get to attend school and graduate debt free, and moreover, I was awarded the opportunity to run for a coach, team and school that have welcomed me, shown kindness and given me hope. Kansas City is a place I have found more balance, and the place I can see myself tapping into my full potential."
Ally Ryan | 5'10 | Tulsa, Okla. | Jenks HS | Kansas
2021-22 (Kansas): Made return from injury for indoor track, placing second at Jayhawk Classic 600-yard with 1:26.17 … Ran 800m best at Big 12 Championships with 2:12.22 … In outdoor, ran 1500m best of 4:26.79 and 800m best of 2:09.91 … Finished on podium at Big 12 Championships with 4:30.83 in the 1500m for sixth-place finish
2020-21 (Kansas): Did not participate
2019-20 (Kansas): Took gold in the season-opening Bob Timmons Classic 5K with a time of 18:49.7, leading the Jayhawks to a team victory as well … Placed first overall in the women's 6K run at the Rim Rock Collegiate Classic with a time of 22:59.3, while leading Kansas to a team victory (31 points) … Ryan is undefeated on her home course this season, as are the Jayhawks … KU's first finisher at the Pre-National Invitational, crossing the finish line in 21:44.3 to place 129th among a field of 252 of some of the best runners in the nation in the Women's 6K Blue Race … The Jayhawks' third runner to cross the finish line at the Big 12 Championship … Her 6K time of 21:57.1 placed her 36th individually, while the women's team ran to a sixth-place finish.
2018-19 (Kansas): Indoor Academic First Team NCAA All-American … Made debut at Pre-National Invite, finishing 78th overall in the women's 6K with a time of 21:35.06 … Earned All-Big 12 honors, finishing 12th at the Big 12 Championship with a time of 20:55.1 … Clocked a 21:28.3 at the NCAA Midwest regional to finish 41st … Made her track debut with a first place finish in the 1,000-meter run at the KU-KSU-WSU Triangular clocking in with a time of 2:54.55 … Finished with a time of 2:09.98 in the 800-meter run at the ISU Classic … A member of the distance medley relay team that finished third with a combined time of 10:58.31, posting the school record and the No. 7 time in the NCAA this season at the Alex Wilson Invitational … Set personal bests in both the prelims and the finals of the 1,000-meter run, finishing third with a time of 2:49.73 in the finals for the No. 7 performance and becoming the No. 6 performer in KU history at the Big 12 Indoor Championship … Earned Second Team All-America honors as a member of the distance medley relay team that placed 11th at the NCAA Indoor ChampionshipsÂ
High School: Earned five letters in cross country and track for Head Coach Clif Mitchell at Jenks HS … Helped Trojans to a 6A state championship in 2015 and a runner-up finish in 2016 … Set Oklahoma state record and state meet record in 800m (2:09.28) in 2017 … Beat Oklahoma state record in 1600m (4:51.55) in 2018 … Broke Jenks HS record in 800m (2:08.74) in 2018 … Named Jim Thorpe Player of the Year and Oklahoma Gatorade Athlete of the Year in 2017 & 2018 … Earned 2018 Tulsa World Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year award … Also earned letters in softball
Personal: Graduated from Kansas in 2022 with degrees in business analytics and exercise science … Earned highest distinction honors in business analytics degree … Born July 29, 1999 … Parents Lisa and Keith Ryan … Has two siblings, Bailey and twin sister Kendall … Favorite movie is Prefontaine - Without Limits … Is a self-proclaimed 'ultimate track nerd,' owning track magazine collections and watching/reading running movies/books
Why Kansas City?: "Clif Mitchell, my high school coach who lit my passion for the sport and helped me realize my potential in it, is the new assistant cross country coach. Familiar training styles, as well as familiarity with KC, several close friends and past teammates on the KC squad, and the data science MS program brought me here."