Five distance runners sign with Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Five newcomers to the Arkansas women’s track and field program will join the Razorbacks next fall after signing a national letter of intent this past week.

The crew includes Mia Cochran from Moon Township, Pennsylvania; Ainsley Erzen of Carlisle, Iowa; Mary Ellen Eudaly of Tampa, Florida; Anastacia Gonzales of Boerne, Texas; and Kaylie Cox of Southlake, Texas.

Covering a range of middle distance and distance events, the group of Arkansas signees each recently competed in State cross country competitions.

Cochran, of Moon Area HS, claimed a third consecutive Pennsylvania 3A State cross country title as she became only the third runner to achieve that feat, and just the second runner in the largest classification, since the State meet started in 1974. After each of her State cross country titles, Cochran has received a police escort back home, which includes a pair of firetrucks.

Named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Runner of the Year in cross country for the 2020-21 season, Cochran also claimed a pair of State titles in the 1,600m and 3,200m last spring. She was a bronze medalist at The Outdoor Nationals last summer, setting a mile career best of 4:45.07.

Erzen, who will also be a member of the Razorback soccer team, claimed four medals at the 2021 Iowa 3A State Championships, earning a pair of gold medals in the 800m and 1,500m, as well as silver medals in the 400m and distance medley relay. Erzen, of Carlisle HS, has been a bronze medalist in cross country at the past two Iowa 3A State Championships.

Competing in The Outdoor Nationals during the summer, Erzen won the 800m in 2:06.52, breaking the Iowa all-time record of 2:07.18 set by Razorback Joy Ripslinger (Davenport Assumption) in 2017.

Eudaly, of Cambridge School, was a member of the 2021 Florida 1A State champion cross country team, claiming a silver medal as part of a 1-2-3 finish with her teammates. Cambridge scored 26 points for the victory, winning by 72. Eudaly won the Florida 3A State title in the 1,600m last spring.

Gonzales, of Boerne Champion HS, led her team to the 2020 Texas 5A State cross country championship with a bronze medal finish. In 2021, Boerne Champion finished second by six points, with Gonzales placing 11th. During the 2021 track season, Gonzales claimed gold in the 1,600m with a 4:49.11 career best and bronze in the 800m. In summer competition, she established PRs of 4:22.91 as gold medalist in the 1,500m at AAU Junior Olympics, and a 4:44.87 mile at RunningLane Championships.

Cox, of Southlake Carroll HS, led her cross country team to a runner-up team finish in the Texas 6A State Championship with a ninth-place finish. In 2020, Cox placed sixth as the top finisher for another team runner-up performance. In 2019, she was a member of Southlake Carroll’s state championship team.

National Signing Day | Future Razorbacks

Mia Cochran                                    Moon Area High School | Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Runner of the Year in cross country for the 2020-21 season. Three-time Pennsylvania 3A State Champion in cross country (2019, 2020, 2021), becoming only the third runner to win three consecutive state titles, and just the second in the largest classification, since the meet started in 1974.

Finished ninth in 2020 XC Town Meet of Champions on Terre Haute, Indiana course. In spring of 2021, established career best times of 2:14.20 (800m), 4:45.66 (1,600m), 4:45.07 (Mile), 9:41.66 (3,000m), and 10:17.84 (3,200m).

2021 double State champion in 1,600m (4:51.01) and 3,200m (10:20.04). At Meet of Champions in Illinois, set her current PRs placing third in 1,600m and fifth in 3,200m. Bronze medalist at The Outdoor Nationals with her mile PR.

Ainsley Erzen                                   Carlisle High School | Carlisle, Iowa

In the spring of 2021, gold medalist in the 800m (2:09.79) and 1,500m (4:42.21 PR), as well as silver medalist in 400m (56.21 PR) at Iowa 3A State Championship. Anchored distance medley relay to a runner-up finish. Bronze medalist in 2020 and 2021 Iowa 3A State Championship cross country races.

Won 800m at The Outdoor Nationals in a career best 2:06.52, breaking the Iowa all-time record of 2:07.18 set by Razorback Joy Ripslinger (Davenport Assumption) in 2017. That time ranked eighth in the nation for 2021, and fifth among juniors.

During the 2021 Drake Relays she accomplished a 400-800m double on the same day, becoming the first high school girl to achieve the feat. As a freshman in 2019, she claimed silver medals in the 800 and 1,500m in the State meet, while adding a fourth-place finish in the 400m.

Will also be a member of Razorback soccer. During her junior season at Carlisle, she scored 50 points off 19 goals and 12 assists.

Mary Ellen Eudaly                          Cambridge School |Tampa, Florida

2021 Florida 1A State silver medalist in cross country as teammates finished first and third, leading school to state championship with 26 points, winning by 72 points. Finished third in the Florida State Invitational, which serves as the Pre-State meet, and then claimed district and 1A Region 3 titles. Last spring, set career best times of 2:13.71 (800m), 4:44.80 (1,600m), 4:51.99 (Mile), 10:17.36 (3,200m), 10:28.83 (2 Mile). Claimed Florida 1A State title in 1,600m.

As a junior in cross country, finished 13th in Florida 4A State Championship competing for HB Plant HS and was 16th as a sophomore.

Anastacia Gonzales                        Boerne Champion High School | Boerne, Texas

A bronze medalist in cross country at the 2020 Texas 5A State Championship, leading Boerne Champion to a State team title which earned her the San Antonio Express-News Cross Country Athlete of the Year. Recently placed 11th in the 2021 State meet, as Boerne Champion finished runner-up by six points. Team has finished second twice (2018, 2021) and third (2019).

In spring of 2021, claimed gold in Texas 5A State 1,600m with a 4:49.11 career best and bronze in the 800m (2:10.78). During AAU Junior Olympics, gold medalist in 1,500m in a 4:22.91 career best and silver medalist in 800m (2:10.68). She won the 17/18 division of the AAU 1,500m by 24 seconds and bettered the previous meet record of 4:25.04 set in 2016. Finished fifth in mile (4:46.37) at The Outdoor Nationals after setting career best of 4:44.87 in RunningLane Championships.

Her 4:22.91 in the 1,500m ranked Gonzales third in the nation for 2021 and third among juniors.

Kaylie Cox                                         Southlake Carroll High School | Southlake, Texas

Placed ninth in 2021 Texas 6A State Championship in cross country as the top finisher for Southlake Carroll’s runner-up team performance. In 2020, finished sixth overall as top runner for team as Southlake Carroll placed second. In 2019, seventh runner on squad which claimed team championship.

On the track, established career best times of 5:04.07 (1,600m) and 10:50.78 (3,200m) in 2021.