By Brad Blume, Sports Information Director
RAPID CITY --- The South Dakota School of Mines cross country and track and field programs have added four recruits to the Hardrocker roster for the 2013-14 season as the Hardrockers have signed three quality distance runners and a talented high hurdler.
The newest Hardrockers athletes are Kassidy Knutson, a distance runner from Orchard, Colo., Zach Huber, a high hurdler from Green River, Wyo., Davis Mathieu, a distance runner from Spokane, Wash., and Kevin Noto, a distance runner from Aurora, Colo.
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Kassidy Knutson Orchard, Colo. Wiggens High School
Parents: Paul and Julie Knutson High School Coach: Mario Garcia
Knutson finished fourth in her region and 19th in the Class 2A Colorado State Cross Country Championships this past fall.
"Kassidy will make a great addition to the Hardrocker women's distance team," said Hardrocker cross country and track head coach Jerry Schafer. "We believe she can come in and immediately run with our top women and strengthen our program."
Knutson has personal best times of (5-killometer) 19 minutes, 56 seconds, 800- 2:30.65, 1,600- 5:47.35, and 3,200- 12:20.64.
Knutson will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering while attending SD Mines.
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Zach Huber Green River, Wyo. Green River High School
Parents: Tyler and Kim Huber High School Coach: Steve Boyd
Huber won the Wyoming Class 4A State 110 High Hurdle Championship in 2012 and finished runner-up in the 300 Intermediate Hurdles as a junior.
"We are so excited to have an athlete of Zach's caliber and competitiveness join our track and field program," Schafer. "Zach will have an immediate impact on the team and we believe he has a great future as a Hardrocker."
Huber has personal best times of 15.27 in the HH and 40.26 in the 300 IH.
Huber will study Chemical Engineering while at SD Mines.
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From the left: Principal Shawn Jordon, Davis Mathieu, Rick Mathieu (father) and coach Michael Lee.
Davis Mathieu Spokane, WA Lewis and Clark High School
Parent: Richard Mathieu High School Coach: Michael Lee
Mathieu is a talented runner who helped his team to a fourth-place finish at the 2012 4A State Cross Country Championship in Washington.
"We anticipate Davis will come in and be able to run with our top distance runners in cross country, but we are also excited about his ability to make an immediate impact in the 800 for the Hardrockers," Schafer said.
Mathieu has personal best times of 15:50 in the 5k and 1:59.69 in the 800.
Mathieu plans to pursue a degree in Chemistry in his time at SD Mines.
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Kevin Noto Aurora, CO Grandview High School
Parents: John and Kelli Noto High School Coach: Allyson Robbins
Noto will be a solid addition to the 'Rocker distance program.
"Kevin has already run sub 30:00 for 8k at high altitude," Schafer added. "That's what intrigued us about his abilities. Most high school runners have not even competed at that distance and the fact that he ran that fast in Gunnison makes us excited for his potential."
Noto has personal best times of 29:45.00 for 8k and 16:51.00 for 5k in cross country.
Noto will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at SD Mines.