May 06, 2009
Eagles add three to 2009-10 rosters
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana men's cross country/track and field team announced that Michael Callison (Elnora, Indiana) and Michael Jordan (Indianapolis, Indiana) have signed national letters of intent to compete for Head Coach Mike Hillyard's Screaming Eagles in 2009-10. Hillyard also announced that Emily Haines (Mishawaka, Indiana) has signed a national letter of intent to compete for USI's women's cross country/track and field team in the next year.
Callison is currently a senior at North Davies High School (Elnora, Indiana) where he earned varsity letters in basketball, cross country, and track.
A four-time All-State performer, Callison set four school records at NDHS and won three sectional and two regional championships on the cross country course. He finished 32nd at the IHSAA State Championships as a senior this past fall.
"Michael has a blue-collar work ethic and will fit in well with our team," Hillyard said. "He is coachable and has a true passion for the sport. He has established himself as the premier senior distance runner in Southern Indiana and we are delighted that he has decided to continue his running career as a Screaming Eagle. He will be one of the top distance runners in the GLVC in the next four years."
Jordan also is wrapping up his senior year where he has earned varsity letters in cross country and track at Pike High School (Indianapolis, Indiana).
Last fall, Jordan helped lead PHS to sectional and regional titles by placing first in both meets. The All-State performer was 17th at the IHSAA State Championships last fall and was 37th at the IHSAA State Championships in 2007.
"Michael has a fantastic upside," Hillyard said. "His rate of improvement during the last 12 months has been rapid and I expect him to improve a great deal as his training base continues to expand. He should make an immediate impact as a freshman as Dustin Emerick, Brendan Devine, and David Goodman, did last fall. He has the potential to be one of the best runners in the country."
Haines comes to USI from Mishawaka High School (Mishawaka, Indiana) where she has earned varsity letters in cross country and track. The IHSAA Academic All-State honoree advanced to the 2008 IHSAA State Championships last fall where she finished 66th.
A two-time All-Northern Indiana Conference selection, Haines earned All-State honors this past fall after finishing fifth at the South Bend Riley sectional meet and seventh at the Elkhart Regional.
"Emily should make an immediate impact as a Screaming Eagle next fall," Hillyard predicted. "She is a great student, has a fantastic work ethic, and is a tough competitor. She will be among the top freshmen in the Midwest Region this fall."
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
