STATESBORO – Track and Field coach Kelly Carter announced today that Reese Connelly (Marietta, Ga./Hillgrove), Ansley Fullen (Evans, Ga./Evans), Nichole Harris (Ocala, Fla./Forest), Imani Moore (Fayettville, Ga./Fayette County), Katie Ranck (Orlando, Fla./Windemere), Melanie Tribick (Roswell, Ga./Roswell) and Ella Zierdt (Huntsville, Ala./St. John Paul II) will attend Georgia Southern and compete for the Eagles beginning in the 2021-22 season.

"We are very excited about this group of incoming freshmen," said Carter. "I think there is a lot of potential in this class, and I believe this is a place they can continue to grow and develop as people, students and athletes. I think this class will continue helping the program move in the right direction. I can't wait to have them on campus this August."

Reese Connelly (Marietta, Ga./Hillgrove) – XC/Distance
Competed four years for coach Jonathan Gambrell at Hillgrove High School • Team captain in 2020-21 • Hillgrove won the state championship in 2019 and was runner-up in 2020.
Personal Bests: 5K – 19:50 | 3200 – 11:59 | 1600 - 5:33 | 800 2:24

Ansley Fullen (Evans, Ga./Evans) – XC/Distance
Lettered three seasons for coach Clint Greene at Evans High School • Won the cross country Coach's Award in 2019 and 2020 • Also lettered in tennis.
Personal Bests: 5K - 20:25 | 3200 - 12:26 | 1600 - 5:39 | 800 - 2:34

Nichole Harris (Ocala, Fla./Forest) – XC/Distance
Lettered for coach Laura Delk at Forest High School • Named 2021 cross country Runner of the Year • Won the 800 and 1600 at the track Marion County Meet • 2019 region qualifier in track and named Best Track Performer in 2019 • Owns school records in the 5K, 1600 and 800.
Personal Bests: 5K – 20:00.70 | 1600 – 5:26.61 | 800 – 2:16.41 | 400 – 1:03.97.

Imani Moore (Fayettville, Ga./Fayette County) – Sprints/Jumps
Competed for four years for coach Ebonie Ogletree at Fayette County High School • Owns the school record in the long jump (19'2.75") • Region top scorer in 2021; won the long jump and the triple jump • Placed third in the long jump, seventh in the triple jump and ran the first leg of the 4x400 relay team that took second at the 2019 state championship • Placed sixth in the triple jump at New Balance Nationals Outdoor in 2018 • Ran first leg of the 4x400 relay team that finished fourth and ran on 4x100 relay team that finished seventh in state championships in 2018.
Personal Bests: Triple Jump – 39'1.75" | Long Jump – 19'2.75"

Katie Ranck (Orlando, Fla./Windemere) – XC/Distance
Lettered four years for coach Jason Green at Windemere High School • Set school records in the 800, 1600 and cross country 5K • Named captain of the cross country and track teams for two seasons.
Personal Bests: Cross Country 5K - 19:37 | 1600 - 5:16 | 800 - 2:19

Melanie Tribick (Roswell, Ga./Roswell) – XC/Distance
Lettered four seasons for coach Bob White at Roswell High School • Named first-team all-region in 2021 • Owns the school record in the 1500.
Personal Bests: 5K - 19:31 | 1600 – 5:30 | 800 - 2:32

Ella Zierdt (Huntsville, Ala./St. John Paul II) – XC/Distance
Competed one season for coach Stephen Boyer at St. John Paul II Catholic High School • Set school records in the Cross Country 5k, Indoor 1600, Indoor 800, Indoor 3200, Outdoor 1600 and Outdoor 800 • Also played four years of soccer for coach Steve Zibas • Named first-team all-state in soccer in consecutive seasons and earned second-team all-state honors as a freshman.
Personal Bests: Cross Country 5K – 19:49 | Indoor 3200 – 11:52 | Indoor 1600 – 5:32 | Indoor 800 – 2:23 | Outdoor 1600 – 5:17 | Outdoor 800 – 2:25

The Eagles are set to compete in the Sun Belt Championships May 13-15 in Mobile, Alabama.