June 22, 2006 -
FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University cross country coach Mark Bluman has announced the signing of four runners to national letters of intent to attend FMU and run for the Patriots this fall: Amanda Doyle of Laurens, John Corley of Aiken, Rashad Rodgers of Columbia, and Jake Williams of North Charleston.
Doyle, 5-3, is a product of Laurens District 55 High School, where she competed under the direction of coach Quenton Grant. As a senior, she set a school record with a time of 21:09. She earned All-Region honors last fall and was a two-time county champion. She also ran track, where she holds school records in the two-mile run and 4x800 relay.
Corley, 5-11, is a graduate of South Aiken High School, where he ran for coach Russ Busbee. A five-time All-Region selection, he posted a season-best time of 17:18 last fall. He placed in the Top 10 at each of the past two Pee Dee Cross Country Classics. He was also a three-time All-Region performer in track.
Rodgers, 5-7, comes to FMU from Dreher High School, where he ran for coach Ollie Wooden. He was a two-time All-District selection in both cross country and track. He earned Dreher’s 2006 Young and Gifted Award and was named the Most Outstanding Business Student. He also attended Valdosta High School, and has run for coaches Ronnie Adkins, James Chu, and John Miller.
Williams, 5-7, is a product of Fort Dorchester High School, where he competed under the direction of coach Tom Ryall. He was his team’s most valuable player this past fall, and twice earned his squad’s sportsmanship award.
At last fall’s state cross country meets, Doyle placed 59th (21:36) in the AAAA girls’ meet, while Rodgers was 61st (18:30) in the boys’ AAA meet and Williams and Corley finished 67th(18:03) and 88th (18:17), respectively, in the AAAA meet.
Francis Marion lost one senior from its 2005 men’s squad that placed sixth at the Peach Belt Conference Championship Meet and 18th at the NCAA Division II South Regional Meet. A young Patriot women’s team that included no seniors finished ninth at the PBC meet.
