The transformation of the Southern Oregon track and field and cross country programs continued this week as head coach Brent Ericksen announced the signing of 11 individuals to compete for the Raiders.

Ruben Martinez, Mikayla Garrard (Mazama High School), Cody Carter (The Dalles, Ore./The Dalles Wahtonka) (The Dallas High School), Jared Nichols (Cascade Christian High School), Kim Zetterland (Amador Valley High School), Paul Schwarzer (Ashland, Ore./Ashland) (Ashland High School), Sean Reilly (Sunset High School), Jen Johnston (West Albany High School), Summer Cano (Hillsboro, Ore./Century) (Century High School), Alexandra Rudd (North Bend, Wash./Mount Si) (Mt. Si High School) and Samantha Pummer (Florence, Ore./Siuslaw) (Siuslaw High School) are all scheduled to wear the red and black.

“I'm excited to be adding these eleven to our team, in what really amounts to our first round of recruiting,” Ericksen said. “It's a nice start to our recruiting and I'm excited about adding some more individuals to our team as we continue the building process.”

Garrard, Zetterland, Johnston, Cano, Rudd and Pummer will help a growing women's program for the Raiders.

“Our women's team was ranked 25th last year and I think this group of distance can help us reach our goal of finishing in the Top 10,” Ericksen said. “Pummer is a sensational runner, who placed second in the 4A Cross Country State Championships and Rudd and Cano are highly regarded as well. Garrad will really help us in track and can do multiple sprint and jump events and placed second in the State Championships last year in the triple jump.”

Martinez, Carter, Nichols, Schwarzer and Reilly join a quickly becoming top level men's program for the Raiders.

“On the men's side, we have added a National level runner who is eligible in the Spring, in Ruben Martinez,” Ericksen said. “Martinez finished sixth in the California Junior College Championships and has a 5K best of 15:12. Schwarzer and Nichols are two locals that will be great additions as well.”