Three Dorman Cavaliers Sign NLIs



Dorman distance standout Ryan Jank and pole-vaulter Kenny Knox signed National Letter of Intents today. Dorman's Laura Burgess signed a National Letter of Intent to run cross-country at Presbyterian College starting next fall.

Burgess has a 5,000-meter personal best of 21:48 and an 800-meter best of 2:33. "Laura Burgess has run for Dorman for five years and it's been a pleasure to see her improve, as well get more serious about the sport," said Head Coach Bobby Urban. "She comes from a running family. Her father competed in high school, plus her two brothers ran for Dorman. I am thrilled for her that she is going to continue to pursue the sport at the collegiate level. I think she will make an impact on the PC team in the fall."

Jank, Dorman's leading distance runner will attend UNC-Charlotte next fall. Knox, the team's leading pole-vaulter will attend Clemson University in the fall.

The three Cavaliers signed NLI's at 2:30 p.m. in Dorman's athletic conference room today.

Jank has a personal best cross-country time of 15:50.78, set at the 2003 Coaches Classic. Jank was the only runner to break 16 at the meet that was held at Fort Jackson on Sept. 13. Jank also has a personal best of 4:24 in the 1600-meter run. Jank recently finished second in the 3200-meter event at the national caliber Taco Bell Classic with a 9:22.33, South Carolina's fastest time of the year.

"He has been an amazing young man to coach," said Head Coach Bobby Urban. "He has only been running xc/track since his sophomore year so it will be interesting to see what he does in college. He's made a good choice with a good distance coach in Coach Herbster at UNCC. When he visited over there he was impressed with his future teammates' serious attitude toward training and the sport. Ryan has the same attitude and of course it has paid off with his race results. As good as Ryan is, he has always displayed a high level of sportsmanship and respect for his competitors. He has handled himself with class in good times and bad. Of all his accomplishments, that is what I am probably most proud of."

Knox tied his personal best at last weekend's Taco Bell Classic. Knox cleared 14-06 in the pole vault at Taco Bell. Knox also cleared 14-06 at Coaches Classic on March 27. At this time last year Knox cleared 13-00 in the vault at Taco Bell and at the 2003 state championships the Cavalier tied for sixth place in 4A competition with a best vault of 13-00.

"Kenny Knox is one of those rare field event athletes who has pursued his event year-round," said Head Coach Bobby Urban. "He gave up football to become a better pole-vaulter and it has paid off. He just loves vaulting and is excited about the opportunity to continue vaulting with the Tigers and training with Mitch Greeley (Northwestern). Kenny works very hard in everything he does. He has been one of my 2004 track team's biggest leaders. (He is) a great kid who I could not be more happy for."

The Charlotte 49ers are a D-I member of Conference USA and Clemson University is a D-I member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Presbyterian College is a D-II member of the South Atlantic Conference.