Toledo, Ohio - Head cross country and track & field coach Linh Nguyen announced seven signees to his 2019-20 recruiting class today. The class consists of Jordyn Boyer, Emily Ferguson, Mallory Ferguson, Emily Vining and Madeline Vining for the women's cross country and track & field teams, and Jacob Harris and Alex Kelker for the men's cross country team. The signing class features two sets of twins: Emily and Mallory Ferguson, and Emily and Madeline Vining.
 
"I'm very excited to be adding these seven great student-athletes to the Rocket Family," said Nguyen. "They are all well-rounded individuals who will not only enhance our programs, but the also the University at large. This is a great start to our recruiting class and I am excited to continue to add to this already great group."

The following is a brief look at the 2019-20 recruiting class: 
 
Women's Signees


Jordyn Boyer
Hometown: Lowell, Ind.
High School: Lowell
Anticipated Major: Nursing

• 3200m PR: 10:45.41
• 5K PR: 17:58.7
• Three-time All-State in cross country
• Post Tribune Girls Cross Country All-Area First-Team honoree (2016-18)
• AAU cross country national champion (2017)
• Two-time All-State in track
• USATF youth steeplechase champion (2016, 2017, 2018)
• Four-time USATF Junior Olympic All-American medal winner

 
Why Jordyn chose Toledo: "I absolutely love the campus, team, coaching staff, and flexibility the nursing program has for student-athletes. The whole package at University of Toledo was the perfect fit for me. The team's previous success, in events such as the steeplechase, really stood out to me as well, and I would love to pursue that pathway. I'm happy to be a Rocket next year, and for years to come."
 
Nguyen on Boyer: "Jordyn is a very strong runner and one of the best in the state of Indiana. She is somebody who could come in and contribute early and become a big-time runner in the MAC and beyond."

 

Emily Ferguson
Hometown: Clarkston, Mich.
High School: Clarkston
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

• 800m PR: 2:19.24
• 1600m PR: 5:18.34
• 5K PR: 18:53.4
• Three-time All-League in cross country
• All-County in cross country
• Three-time All-Region in cross country
• Cross country state champion
• Three-time All-League in track
• Three-time All-County in track
• Three-time All-Region in track
• Nine-time All-State in track
• Indoor state track DMR runner-up
• University of Kentucky 4x8 high school facility record holder
• Six-time National Qualifier
• National Medalist

 
Why Emily chose Toledo: "I chose to attend the University of Toledo because of how welcoming everyone -  including the professors, team members, and coaches - at UT were. The University of Toledo has an incredible health science program and I immediately fell in love with the campus on my first visit. The supportive atmosphere is incredible and I am thrilled to run cross country and track at UT. I am excited to work hard, have fun, and run fast at Toledo."
 
Nguyen on Ferguson: "Emily is somebody who I think will surprise a lot of people over the next few years. She's talented and focused, and I think she's going to develop into something special at Toledo. We're very excited to add her to the team and see what she can do."
 


Mallory Ferguson
Hometown: Clarkston, Mich.
High School: Clarkston
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

• 800m PR: 2:17.08
• 1600m PR: 5:06.49
• 3200m PR: 10:48.8
• 5K PR: 18:31.0
• Four-time All-League in cross country
• Four-time All-County in cross country
• Four-time All-Region in cross country
• State Champion
• Three-time All-League in track
• Three-time All-County in track
• Three-time All-Region in track
• All-State in outdoor track
• Eight-time All-State in indoor track
• 4x800 Indoor track state meet record holder
• University of Kentucky 4x8 high school facility record holder
• Six-time national qualifier
• Two-time national medalist

 
Why Mallory chose Toledo: "I chose to attend the University of Toledo for many reasons: the coaching, the team, the education, and the campus. I am excited to work with the coaches and to push myself these upcoming years. I really believe in the program and feel that the coaches will help me achieve my goals. I also love the team and I am looking forward to running and racing with them. I know that I will be happy running at Toledo and be happy in the academic programs as well."
 
Nguyen on Ferguson: "Mallory has the ability to step in and contribute right away. I think she can develop into a high-level runner and could be scoring significant points in the MAC. She's going to work hard and be very committed to getting the best out of herself."


 
Emily Vining
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
High School: Notre Dame Academy
Anticipated Major: Marketing

• 1600m PR: 5:17.55
• 3200m PR: 11:20.65
• 5K PR: 18:55.5
• Three-time First All-Team TRAC in cross country
• Three-time state individual qualifier
• Two-time All-Team TRAC in track
• Two-time regional qualifier in track
• Notre Dame Academy steeplechase record holder

 
Why Emily chose Toledo: "I loved the atmosphere of the team and the school. As soon as I started my visit I knew that this was the college I wanted to be at. It was just the right fit."
 
Nguyen on Vining: "Emily is having a very strong senior season and I think still has even more to show. I've been watching her run for a few years now locally and I'm excited to have her as a Rocket. I think she's going to develop very nicely into a strong runner for us."
 


Madeline Vining
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
High School: Notre Dame Academy
Anticipated Major: Business

• 1600m PR: 5:17.55
• 3200m PR: 11:20.65
• 5K PR: 18:55.5

 
Why Madeline chose Toledo: "I chose the University of Toledo because it felt like home when I visited campus. Campus is beautiful and UT has all the major degrees I am considering. I also like the running program a lot, and the athletes and the coaching staff were extremely nice and welcoming. I am also staying close to home which it very important to me because I want to be able to see my family."
 
Nguyen on Vining: "Madeline has been one of the best Northwest Ohio runners for a couple years and we're excited to be able to keep her home in Toledo. She has a lot of potential to become a consistent contributor to the program and I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do at this level."
 
Men's Signees


Jacob Harris
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
High School: Whitmer
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

• 1600m PR: 4:24.09
• 3200m PR: 9:27.87
• 5K PR: 15:11.62
• Two-Time All-State cross country (2017, 2018)
• District Champion in cross country (2018)
• Regional Champion in cross country (2018)
• Three Rivers Athletic Conference 3200m league champion (2017)
• 2018 TRAC Runner of the Year

 
Why Jacob chose Toledo: "I am interested in helping a program build itself up. Also on my visit I felt like UT was the place for me. Finally, I like the coaches and team better than any other university I visited."
 
Nguyen on Harris: "We always want to keep the best local athletes here and Jacob is not only one of the best local runners, but one of the best in all of Ohio. He's really elevated his running this fall and I believe he will be extremely competitive within the MAC right away. Jacob can be a cornerstone for this program for the foreseeable future."
 

Alex Kelkler
Hometown: Liberty Township, Ohio
High School: Lakota West
Anticipated Major: Business

• 800m PR: 2:02.13
• 1600m PR: 4:31.93
• 3200m PR: 10:05.56
• 5K PR: 16:11.6
• Two-time GMC First-Team All-League in cross country
• GMC Second-Team All-League in cross country
• Two-time Third-Team All-League in track

 
Why Alex chose Toledo: "I could visualize myself going to school as well as running for the Rockets for the next four years of my life. I felt at home when on the campus and bonded with the team."
 
Nguyen on Kelkler: "Alex is a great guy and is going to come in here and work really hard. I think he's got quite a bit of potential and I can't wait to see him reach that here at Toledo. We're pumped for him to be a Rocket and help build the men's program to championship caliber."