PEORIA, Ill. – After winning the first Missouri Valley Conference cross country title in program history in 2015, the Bradley men's cross country/track & field squads will have eight additions to the 2016-17 rosters with Tuesday's announcement by second-year head coach Darren Gauson of the incoming recruiting class.

The freshman class features individuals from three different states and two other countries and will help bolster a roster which returns all but three letterwinners from last fall.  The Braves bring back their top five finishers from last year's MVC Cross Country Championship squad and seven of eight individuals who ran at the Valley Championship in 2015 in addition to eight individuals which redshirted the 2015 cross country season.  

The Bradley men's cross country team is scheduled to open the 2016 season Friday, Sept. 2 at the Hawkeye Early Bird Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa.  

Harry Bellow (Kingwood, Texas/Kingwood)
Personal Bests - 800 meters (1:56), Mile (4:15.01), 3,200 meters (9:26.73)
Gauson on Bellow - "Harry made big strides as a senior and we hope he can continue to improve on his personal bests throughout his time on The Hilltop.  He wrapped up his prep career with a seventh-place Texas 6A state finish in the 1,600 meters."

Nyle Clinton (Swindon, England/Brunel University) - Junior in eligibility
Personal Bests - 1,500 meters (3:51), 3,000 meters (8:22), 5,000 meters (14:31), 3,000 meter steeplechase (9:21)
Gauson on Clinton - "Nyle will add some excellent strength and depth to the middle distance group this year.  A transfer, he gives us an experienced runner and adds great versatility to our squad."

Sandy Freeland (Kitchener, Ontario/Bluevale)
Personal Bests - 800 meters (1:54.24), 1,500 meters (3:52.99)
Gauson on Freeland - "One of Canada's top middle distance under-20 athletes, Freeland adds more depth and flexibility to the middle distance squad.  He has the ability to compete in a number of events on the track in addition to cross country and we are looking forward to watching him develop over the coming years."

Grant Duvendack (Metamora, Ill./Metamora)
Personal Bests - 60 meters (7.05), 100 meters (10.99), 200 meters (22.89)
Gauson on Duvendack - "Grant improved throughout his senior year and the local product went on to finish sixth in the 100 meters at the state championship.  He should be a big addition to our sprint group next spring."   

Michael Hahndorf (McHenry, Ill./McHenry)
Personal Bests - 1,600 meters (4:22.02), 3,200 meters (9:18.65)
Gauson on Hahndorf - "An all-state performer in cross country as a senior, Michael finished 18th at the Illinois 3A Championship last fall at Detweiller.  He also turned in a 30th-place finish at the Nike Midwest last fall and will add more strength to our cross country team from the start."

Alec Hartman (Westfield, Ind./Westfield)
Personal Bests - 800 meters (1:53.95), Mile (4:14.79)
Gauson on Hartman - "Alec had a breakthrough year with a 14-place finish at the Indiana state championship in cross country and followed it up with a third-place state finish in the 800 meters.  He is a great addition to our team and we expect him to contribute in both cross country and on the track."

Jon May (Elmhurst, Ill./York)
Personal Bests - 1,600 meters (4:24.88), 3,200 meters (9:33.53)
Gauson on May - "Jon had a very strong spring, closing out the year with a 14th-place stats finish in the 3,200 meters.  We will look for him to add depth to our cross country team in addition to his contributions on the track."

Nick Porter (Paxton, Ill./Paxton-Buckley-Loda)
Personal Best - 1,600 meters (4:22.87)
Gauson on Porter - "Nick will be a welcome addition to our middle distance group during the track season after finishing eighth at the 1A state championship in the 1,600 meters this spring."