University of Delaware Athletics
Five Sign NLIs To Join Blue Hens Next Year
4/23/2018 1:48:00 PM | Women's Cross Country, Track & Field
NEWARK, Del. – In the midst of yet another strong season, the University of Delaware track & field team's future continues to get brighter and brighter.
Head Coach Wendy McFarlane-Smith and her staff will welcome five new signees next fall to the Blue Hen family with the addition of Alyssa Armor (sprints), Tina Capparell (distance), Dianna Dunn (distance), Riley Murtha (multis) and Arianna Richards (sprints).
“We're truly excited to welcome these five student-athletes and their families to the Blue Hens. This group is an immediate impact group and have incredibly bright futures ahead of them,” McFarlane-Smith said. “Our staff looks forward to working with them and helping them develop not only as student-athletes, but also into the people they want to become.”
Alyssa Armor – New Castle, Del. (William Penn)
Armor is the state record holder in the 600m, as well as the DIAA Division I 2017 State champion in the 400m. She has earned All-County and All-Conference accolades for the past three seasons and was a 2017 Wendy's High School Heisman State Finalist. Off the track, she's currently the senior class treasurer and a three-year recipient of the Presidential Award. Her 4.15 GPA ranks third in her class and she has twice earned Academic All-Conference honors. She comes in with top times in the 200m (25.66) and 400m (56.92).
McFarlane-Smith on Armor
“Alyssa is a great addition to our team. She chose to be a Blue Hen very early in the recruitment process. It's always a good feeling when we are able to get our state's best student-athletes to stay right here at home. Her work ethic is evident through all of her academic and athletic accomplishments. I can't wait to work with Alyssa for the next four years.”
Tina Capparell – Tamaqua, Pa. (Marian Catholic)
Capparell comes to the Blue Hens after capturing the 2017 PIAA Cross Country State Championship this past fall. Last year, she placed sixth at the PIAA Track & Field Championships in the 1600m and so far this year is undefeated in the event. She comes to Delaware with career best times of 5:05.94 in the 1600m and 18:13.00 for the five-kilometer cross country course.
Distance Coach Ryan Waite on Capparell
"Tina is an amazing runner, but it's her character that really gets me excited to work with her. From the short time I've known her, I can already tell she is going to work hard and have the kind of attitude that will make her a team leader and successful student-athlete. I wouldn't be surprised at all for her to be one of our top runners in her freshman year this upcoming cross country season."
Diana Dunn – Media, Pa. (Penncrest/West Chester)
Dunn brings collegiate experience with her after spending the past two seasons at nearby West Chester University. She was the 2016 PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) Cross Country Freshman of the Year, is a four-time All-Region Honoree in cross country and track as well as a two-time All-Conference winner in cross country. She has taken home PSAC and ECAC Athlete of the Week honors multiple times. She brings personal best times of 4:33.53 in 1500m, 10:00.89 in the 3000m, 17:16.36 in the 5000m and 21:23.8 in the six-kilometer cross country course.
Waite on Dunn
"Diana comes in as an immediate All-CAA caliber athlete and will give a big boost to both our cross country and track teams. Her development at West Chester over the past two years has been incredible. Coach Ryan Comstock at WCU deserves a lot of credit for helping Diana get to the level she is at, and also for being gracious enough to allow her to transfer so she can train with teammates of similar abilities and compete at a higher level."
Riley Murtha – Marriottsville, Md. (Marriotts Ridge)
Murtha is a talented multis athlete, who is the current school record holder in seven different events at Marriotts Ridge. She's been a state qualifier in all seven of those events, which include the 55m hurdles, the 100m hurdles, the 300m hurdles, the high jump, long jump and triple jump, as well as the shot put. She was a state medalist and county champion in the 55m hurdles, 100m hurdles and the high jump. Off the track, she was a member of the principal's honor roll.
McFarlane-Smith on Murtha
“Riley is a great addition to our program. I'm excited for our staff to get a chance to work with her. Her attitude and personality are a tremendous fit and will be an asset in our team culture.
Arianna Richards – Potomac, Md. (Bullis School)
Richards brings elite level sprinter experience to the Blue Hens having earned New Balance Nationals All-American honors and being All-ISL for three consecutive years. Not only that, but she's an honor roll student in the classroom. She brings with her a time of 12.30 in the 100m and 24.72 in the 200m.
McFarlane-Smith on Richards
“Arianna comes to us with not just speed, but experience. She is an elite level high school runner and we look for her to do the exact same as a collegiate runner. I'm excited for the opportunity to work with this young lady.”
