HARTSVILLE, S.C.- The Coker men's cross country team welcomes early signees Jordan Bishop, Jacob Maldanado and Christopher Allen to their 2016-17 recruiting class.
Jordan Bishop, a Florence, S.C. native, was a two-time state qualifier in cross country at Darlington High School. In 2015 he finished 8th in the 3A Lower State finals with a time of 18:07. Bishop was a member of the 2015 team that placed fourth in region 6 at the 3A level, while he placed second in that race with a time of 18:30. He was also voted Most Improved Runner on his cross country team for 2014. He is the son of Moses Bishop, Jr. & J. JaNet Bishop and plans to study business administration.
"We know we are getting a solid student in Jordan, but also an athlete who has continued to improve this cross countty season, who helped lead his team to the state cross country meet," said Coker head coach Benny Morgan.
Maldanado, who hails from Columbia, S.C., was a member of Spring Valley High School's 2013 state champion track team, and also a three-time letter winner in cross country.
He plans to study exercise science and is the son of Jerry and Tanya Maldanado.
"We expect Jacob to come in and develop with our already talented young crew," said Morgan.
Christopher Allen, a Florence native, won the coach's award this past year and won his school's Male Wendy's High School Heisman. He is the son of James and Bluffy Blease.
["Allen is] a local athlete from West Florence is looking to develop into one of our future top middle-distance runners. He served as captain of his high school team this year and brings high character to our program," said Morgan.