NEW YORK ? The Columbia women's cross country and track & field program will welcome 20 newcomers to the fold for the 2009-2010 season. Coming off the heels of one of the most successful outdoor track & field seasons in program history, head coach Willy Wood is excited about his incoming group.

“This is perhaps our most talented and deep women's class of all-time,” Wood said. “Collectively, they should not only continue our outstanding tradition of success but also lead us to even greater levels of achievement. I look for several of our incoming first-years to have an immediate impact upon our program. Coaches Zach Richard and Gavin O'Neal are to be commended on a job very well done.”

The class of 2013 will include 11 distance and middle distance runners from across the nation.

A group of milers lead off for the Lions, with Camille Murphy (4:52.90), Emily Lanois (4:59.66), Irene Kalbian (5:03.22), Erin Gillingham (4:52.30), Clare Buck (4:54.00 1600m, 10:44.72 3200m), Patricia Reilly (4:58.95) and Mallory Anderson (4:59.13) bringing their person bests to the table. Murphy has also recorded personal bests of 2:51.99 in the 1000m, and 10:47.10 in the 3200m. Four other top recruits will be key components of the distance group this year: Noelle Van Rysselberghe brings a personal record of 10:09.40 in the 3000m, while 3200m runners Jessica Fingers (10:38.60), Caroline McDonough (10:45.38) and Erica Pearson (10:50.44) will be hoping to make an impact as well.

Seven new faces will also been seen in the sprints, hurdles and jumps part of the program, where the women's program has seen explosive success in recent years. Joining Ivy League champion Kyra Caldwell in the hurdle events will be Julie Alexander (60.60 400m hurdles) and Susan Rodriguez (61.26 400m hurdles). Dora Vegvari, who will also be a jumper for the Lions, adds a PR of 13.91 in the 100m hurdles. The sprint corps for the women, led by the fastest first-year 400m runner in the nation, Sharay Hale, will be welcoming Uju Ofoche (55.46 400m) and Yamira Bell (56.54).  Four first-years will also bring depth to the jump group, hoping to fill the holes left by graduating Ivy League champion Elisse Douglass. That group will include Ofoche (18'11 long jump), Vegvari (20'3” long jump), Jocelyn Briggs (18'11.75” long jump) and Queen Okeke (18'2.5” long jump, 39'2” triple jump).

The diverse group includes recruits from 11 states, including New Jersey, New York, California, Iowa, Oregon, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, Maryland, and Massachusetts, as well as an international contingent that includes Budapest, Hungary.