Maggie Mattingly - John Hardin
Article from Campbellsville University
http://www.campbellsvilletigers.com/article/875.php
First-year cross country head coach Hilary Cebullko signed her first recruit Wednesday, inking Maggie Mattingly of John Hardin High School in Elizabethtown, Ky.
Mattingly ran her personal record during her junior season, 2008, with a time of 18:46.40 at the Lincoln Trail Heartland Conference meet. That time marks her as one of the fastest recruits CU has signed in recent years. She ranks No. 2 among Kentucky high school seniors this season.
"She's one that's going to be able to come in and challenge some school records, " Cebulko said. "It's a huge step for the program. For such a talented athlete to come to Campbellsville University is very exciting."
While an injury slowed Mattingly to a time of 21:06.55 early in her senior season, she worked her time down to a season-best 19:34.58 in the state meet this past November. Her other season bests were 19:23.98 as a freshman and 18:50.96 as a sophomore. She is also at the top of her class academically with a 4.0 GPA.
Mattingly, who wants to pursue a degree in education, said she chose Campbellsville because of its size, closeness to home and because she thought it was an all around "perfect fit." She hopes to follow in the footsteps of her high school head coach Jason Hayes, who was an All-American runner at CU in 2000.
Hayes, who lettered at CU from 1998-2001, said he did not push Mattingly to attend CU, but is glad she is.
"I'm thrilled that she's going to Campbellsville University. It's a great academic school and with her wanting to be a teacher, I think it's a great place to be," Hayes said.
As a Tiger cross country alum, Hayes sees the addition Mattingly can make to the program.
"I think she can fit in there and fill a big piece of what they need toward that first team to qualify for the NAIA Nationals," he said. "I'm looking forward to seeing the success she'll have at the next level."
