Hartsville, SC- Coker College Head Cross country Coach, Ley Fletcher, announced the signing of 10 new runners for the 2007-2008 season. Six of the new faces will joint eh men’s team, while the other four will be joining the women’s squad. “I’m very excited to have these runners join us this year,” said Coach Fletcher. “I hope that with their help we can continue to grow and improve, while hopefully bringing home a conference championship in the future.”

Joining the men’s team are Michael Murphy, Austin Mckjunkin, Abel Caraballo, Rodriguez Clement, Andrew Smith and Joe Hock.

Murphy is a native of Peekskill, NY, where he attended Peekskill High School. He was named to the All-County and All-District Teams and was a state championship qualifier. Murphy’s best 5k time is 16:01.

Mckjunkin comes to Coker from Walhalla High School in Walhalla, SC. Austin was a state championship qualifier for both cross county and track. His best 5k time is 17:14.

Caraballo is a native of Orlando, FL, where he ran cross country and track at Cypress Creek High School. He was selected for the All-District Team and his best 5k time is 16:55.

Clement joins the Cobras from Southside High School in Greenville, SC, where he was a state qualifier for cross country and track.

Smith is also a native of Orlando, FL, and like Caraballo, attended Cypress Creek High School. Andrew was a region qualifier for cross country and track and was named to the All-District Team. His best 5k time is 16:53.

Hock joins the Coker Cobras from Myrtle Beach, SC, where he was a runner at St. James High School.

The Coker Cross Country Teams kick-off their season on August 31, when they travel to Columbia, SC, for the Gamecock Invitational. The Cobra men will be looking to defend their 2006 title, while the women will be looking to improve on their second place performance.