Head Cross Country Coach Mike Curcio and the Mountaineers added three student-athletes for the upcoming year. (Photo: ASU Athletics)

Cross Country, Track and Field Add Three For 2008-09 Seasons
by Appalachian Sports Information

April 21 - BOONE, N.C.- The Appalachian State University cross country and track and field programs have received commitments from three student-athletes to compete for ASU beginning in the fall of 2008, ASU’s head cross country coach Mike Curcio and director of track and field and cross country John Weaver announced Monday.

The Mountaineers added Stephanie Chapman from Asheville, N.C., Chris Moen from Bethesda, Md., and Hannah Orders from Charlotte, N.C.

STEPHANIE CHAPMAN (T.C. ROBERSON HIGH SCHOOL/ASHEVILLE, N.C.)

Chapman was a member of the two-time 3A state champion cross country team at T.C. Roberson. She collected all-state honors as an individual with a fourth place finish in 2006, and took home a fifth place finish in 2007. Chapman was also a part of the 2007 state championship track and field team, and notched a fifth place finish in the 1600 meter run and a sixth place finish in the 3200 meter run at the meet. She also earned all-state honors her junior year in the 3200 meter run as she was the runner-up in the event.

HANNAH ORDERS (HOPEWELL HIGH SCHOOL/CHARLOTTE, N.C.)

Orders was a 2007 4A Mid-West Regional Champion, in addition to placing 11th at the 4A state cross country championships. She also finished fifth in the girls open race at the Wendy’s Invitational and earned all-state honors in indoor track, while taking home a third place finish in the 1600 meter run.

Coach Curcio on Chapman and Orders: “We are very pleased with our first two commitments as both come from traditionally strong programs. Each young lady has shown signs of being able to step right into our programs. Stephanie has helped T.C. Roberson win the last two state cross country titles, and Hannah has been able to beat one of North Carolina’s best individuals at her regional championships. That type of experience should contribute to our team next fall.”

CHRIS MOEN (WALTER JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL/BETHESDA, MD.)

Moen competed in both cross country and track and field during his high school career. He finished first at the 12th New Balance Games and recorded a personal best time of 4:15.27 at the meet. Moen also placed fourth in the Manhattan Invitational at Van Cortland with a time of 12:41, and grabbed a sixth place finish overall in the Maryland 4A state cross country meet. He was also the Maryland indoor state champion in the 1600 meter run, along with winning the state title at the 2008 indoor meet in the 800 meter run and setting a meet record in the event. At the outdoor state championships, Moen finished third in the 800 meter run, with a personal record time of 1:55.44. Moen also won the 2008 Maryland 4a 1600m run at the state track and field
championships with a time of 4:20. He holds the fastest time in the
state of Maryland this season posting a 4:13 at his county meet

Coach Curcio on Moen: “We are very excited about Chris committing to ASU. He’ll be a great addition to the mid-distance squad, and can help our team in the 800, the mile and in cross country. We look forward to working with him in the future and watching him progress in the spring.”