EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana men’s and women’s cross country/track and field Head Coach Mike Hillyard announced that freshmen Josh Graham and Aaron Pugh have signed to compete for the Screaming Eagles in 2010-11.
Graham graduated from Huntington North High School in Huntington, Indiana, where he earned eight varsity letters in cross country and track. A four-time All-Conference performer on the track and three-time All-Conference honoree on the cross country course, Graham set school records in both the 1,600 meters and the 3,200 meters.
In 2009, Graham finished 16th at the IHSAA State Cross Country Championships, earning All-State honors.
A four-time state qualifier in cross country and an Indiana All-Star, Graham captured conference, sectional, and regional titles as an individual in 2009. His efforts led HNHS to its fourth consecutive conference, sectional, and regional titles as well as a ninth-place finish at the 2009 IHSAA State Cross Country Championships.
On the track, Graham helped HNHS to a pair of conference titles as well as a sectional crown in 2010. Individually, Graham was a five-time state qualifier in the 800 meters, 1,600 meters, and the 3,200 meters.
“Josh’s high school credentials are among the best of any recruit we have ever signed at USI,” Hillyard said. “His impact will be immediate and his long-term projection is phenomenal.”
Pugh graduated from Fishers High School where he earned seven varsity letters in cross country and track.
As a senior, Pugh finished 13th at the Carmel sectional and 54th at the Brebeuf Jesuit regional. He was a member of FHS’s 2007 state championship squad and helped FHS to a fifth-place finish at the 2008 IHSAA State Cross Country Championships.
“Aaron is a sleeper much like Brandon Campbell, Andrew Dixon, Bryan Phillips, and so many more that have come through our program and developed into outstanding distance runners,” Hillyard said. “I have a lot of faith that he will do the same.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to add two athletes like Josh and Aaron to our squad,” Hillyard continued. “Both young men possess all the necessary traits that facilitate great results in this sport. It will be exciting to watch their progress.”
Graham and Pugh join a list of signees that include freshmen Jacob McIntyre, Seth O’Laughlin, Austin Viano, and Clayton Willis.