FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Media Relations

SOMERS, Wis. (Aug. 7, 2014)-- The University of Wisconsin-Parkside women's cross country and track & field program announced its incoming recruiting class for 2014-2015 academic year on Thursday with Marta Dzundza and Taylor Miller joining February signees Monica Geiser and Haley Willis.

"I couldn't be more excited about our incoming women," says Head Coach Micah VanDenend, now in his fifth year at UW-Parkside. "I think that the two common factors that every one of these ladies brings to the table are that, first, they are extremely hard workers, and second, that they are good people."

An Illinois native, Marta Dzundza joins the Rangers from Wheeling High School where she was a 2014 IHSA State Qualifier for the Wildcats, qualifying in both the 800-meter run and the 4x800-meter relay. She was a two-time MVP in cross country and was named the Wheeling High School Female Athlete of the Year in 2014. Dzundza has clocked a 62.6 in the 400-meter dash, a 2:20.7 in the 800-meters, a 5:33.7 in the 1,600-meters, a 12:16.4 in the 3,200-meters and a 51.8 in the 300-meter hurdles.

Mauston product Taylor Miller joins the Parkside cross country and track squads after a standout career at Mauston High School. Miller was a four-time state qualifier in cross country for the Golden Eagles while qualifing for the WIAA Championships in track & field all four years. Miller owns the school record in the 800-meter run (2:16), placing third at the WIAA Championships in 2012 while placing eighth in 2013 and 2014. Miller was a sectional and conference champion in cross country in both 2012 and 2013 and finished her prep career having qualified for the state championships in the 800, 1,600-meters, 4x400-meter relay and the 4x800-meter relay.

Dzundza and Miller are joined by February NLI signees Monica Geiser and Haley Willis. Geiser, a Brillion High School product, remains in-state by committing to the Rangers while Willis joins the squad from Washington Community High School in Illinois. Geiser comes to Somers as a mid-distance runner while Willis comes to Parkside as a distance runner.

Since signing in February, Geiser went on to place second in the 400-meter dash at the WIAA Division 2 Championships, clocking a personal best time of 58.14 while placing third in the 800-meters. Geiser additionally anchored the Lions' 4x400-meter relay squad to a WIAA State Title.

Willis closed her high school career as a four-time All-Conference selection before helping the Panthers win the IHSA Class 2A State Championship in the 4x800-meter relay.

All four incoming student-athletes will compete in both cross country and track & field.

"This is the kind of group that you strive to bring in every year.  I want to continue to see our women's numbers and depth increase and this group is certainly helping us in that direction."

The Rangers begin the cross country season on September 13, hosting the Midwest Open at the Dannehl National Cross Country Course.