HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College head men’s and women’s cross country coach Kevin Kelley is pleased to announce the addition of four new men’s cross country runners for the 2011 season.

Joining the Cobras from across the country and beyond, these four fresh faces are looking to return Coker to the top of the Conference Carolinas standings.

Josh Peterson comes to Coker from Boca Raton, Fla. where he was a standout runner for Boca Raton High School. A tremendous runner, Peterson set personal bests in the 1600 meter, 3200 meter and 5k during his high school career. He completed the 1600m in 4:31, the 3200m in 10:10 and his best 5k time is 16:36.

Brandon Cain is an All-State runner from Southern Alamance High School in Graham, N.C. Named the 2011 4A Metro Men’s Track Runner of the Year; Cain went undefeated in the 800 meter, 1600 meter and 3200 meter during his senior season at Southern Alamance. His bests times in each event are 1:58 in the 800m, 4:25 in the 1600m, 9:53 in the 3200m and 15:53 in the 5k.

Derek Nix joins the Cobras from Toms River, N.J. where he was a four-time letter winner at Toms River High School East. Listed as one of the Top 25 runners by the Passaic County Coaches Association, his best 5k time is 17:24.

Dylan Bates comes to Coker from north of the border in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. An exceptional student-athlete at Birchmount Park Collegiate School, Bates is a World Qualifier in the Triathlon for Canada. His personal best times are 27:19 in the 8k, 16:40 in the 5k and 34:35 in the 10k.

“I am very excited to have this group of young men joining us at Coker,” said Kelley. “Although we are still a very young team, I feel confident that we will turn some heads in the conference this season.”

Both the Cobra men and women hit the trails to start their 2011 season on September 2 at the Eye Opener Invitational in Spartanburg, S.C.