Feb. 27, 2013

TEMPE – The Arizona State University track and field program moved one step close to completing its 2013 signing class with the addition of Anna Long (Scottsdale, Ariz./Scottsdale Christian Academy) to the women’s distance program, head coach Greg Kraft has announced.

Long was the Arizona High School Division IV cross country champion this past fall, dominating the competition with a time of 18:54.12 to take the crown – nearly half a minute faster than her nearest competition.  The performance earned Long a bid to the Nike Cross Country Southwest Regionals.

Long finished no worse than third in any meet on the season, winning four events in the process.

Long was 19th in the event as a sophomore the state cross country championships as well.

As a junior on the track, Long was fifth at the AIA State Championships at 3,200 meters in 12:11.52 while also finishing ninth in the mile.

A two-sport standout, Long is also a member of the Scottsdale Christian girl’s basketball team, leading her team to a semifinal appearance at last year’s AIA State Championships

ASU Women’s Distance Coach Ryan Cole on Long:

“Anna is a very athletic person and I think she can be a real find at the college level over time.  She’s a small school state champ that has played other sports over the course of her career that I think is someone that a lot of coaches look at down the road and wonder where she came from.”