Slattery adds two to 2017 roster

PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon cross country team welcomes the addition of two student-athletes to its 2017 recruiting class, head coach Sara Slattery announced on Thursday. The class includes Joseph Biehl and Andrew Mitchell from Lancaster, California.

With the addition of high school teammates, Jospeh Biehl and Andrew Mitchell, the cross country team will look to grow the program with the two competitive recruits.

"We are really excited that Joseph and Andrew will be coming to GCU next year," Slattery commented. "They will both make a huge impact on our team right away and will make us very competitive at the Division I level."

Joseph Biehl
Lancaster, Calif. (Desert Christian Lancaster HS)

Joseph Biehl will join the Grand Canyon cross country team in 2017 after competing at Desert Christian Lancaster High School located in Lancaster, California. In high school, Biehl was the CIF Division qualifier in the 3,200 meter. The incoming freshman was also a three-time CIF State qualifier in cross country. During his senior year, Biehl finished fourth in the boy's sweeps race at Mt. SAC Invitational, improving the previous best time on the 3-Mile course by almost a minute (15:48.00).

Andrew Mitchell
Lancaster, Calif. (Desert Christian Lancaster HS)

Andrew Mitchell will join Biehl for Grand Canyon in 2017 as the second signee out of Desert Christian Lancaster High School. During his time in high school, Mitchell was a top-10 finisher at CIF State Cross Country Championships, a CIF Division Finials qualifier in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter and a three-time League Champion. During his senior year, the incoming freshman finished runner-up at the Mt. SAC Invitational.

In 2017, the cross country program will look stronger than ever as the team will only lose one senior. With the addition to the new signees, Slattery has high hopes from the 2017 squad.

"We return everyone but Jose (Retana) next year, and with the addition of Joseph and Andrew, and possibly a few more freshman, we will be a very tough XC team next year and for years to come," Slattery added. "They fit in very well with our team and I know they will work well together because they are already teammates at Desert Christian High School. It is unique opportunity for them to continue being teammates in college. I think both have a lot of potential to improve and do well at the college level and I am very excited to work with them."

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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