Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Announce Addition Of Six For Track & Field/Cross Country
March 11, 2014 | Women's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field
Bowling Green, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Track & Field and Cross Country Coach Lou Snelling has announced the addition of six student-athletes for the 2014-15 school year. Lexie Davis (Lima, Ohio / Perry High School), Sydnee Matthew (Milwaukee, Wisc. / Rufus King High School), Dorresha Green (Sandusky, Ohio / Sandusky HS), Africa Strodes (Springfield, Ohio / Xenia HS), Elena Lancioni (LaPorte, Ind. / LaPorte High School) and Rachel Walny (Clinton Twp., Mich. / Chippewa Valley High School) have all committed to BGSU. All six will compete on the track and field team, while Lancioni and Walny will also run cross country.
"This group of student-athletes has the potential to be one of the best classes in school history and we are thrilled to have them join the Falcon Family," Snelling said. "This diverse class has the commonality of understanding the work ethic, focus and desire needed to help this program achieve our high goals. Academically and athletically, we want to consistently be one of the best all-around programs in the MAC. This class will be a major part of helping us to ultimately reach those goals. Assistant Coach James Gildon has done a tremendous job bringing this level of talent to Bowling Green. We will work to finish out this recruiting class and are excited about the athletes who we can add over the next several months."
BGSU's cross country and track and field programs have been on the rise under third-year coach Snelling. In the fall of 2013, the cross country team ended in the top half of the standings at the MAC Championships for the first time since 2008. The indoor track and field team just completed their season tied for eighth at the MAC Championships, up from 11th a year ago. The outdoor track and field program climbed two spots to 10th last spring and saw then-sophomore Brooke Pleger earn first team All-American honors.
Complete bios for each of the six student-athletes who have committed are listed below:
Lexie Davis
Event Group & Primary Events: Jumps
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
OHSAA State Championships (2013 – 1st High Jump), Three-time 1st team All-Conference, School Record Holder (HJ – 5'5"), Three-time team MVP; Nearly averaged a triple double in basketball her senior year (15.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 7.8 blocks)
Hometown: Lima, Ohio
High School: Perry
High School and or Club Coach: Dan Kirby
Parents: Jason Davis & Michelle Cox
Event Coach Quote: "Lexie will add depth to our jump group, more specifically in the high jump. She is a raw talent with a lot of upside. Having won a state championship, she has been competitive on a high level and that will transfer well competing in the Mid-American Conference next year." -- Coach James Gildon
Sydnee Matthew
Event Group & Primary Events: Combined Events/Jumps
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
2013 W/TFA State Indoor Championships (Athlete of the Meet, 1st-4x200m relay, 1st-Triple Jump, 2nd-Long Jump, 4th-55h); 2013 WIAA State Outdoor Championships (1st-4x100m relay, 4th-Triple Jump, 6th-100HH); 2013 All-Conference (Long Jump, 4x100m relay); PR's – 100HH: 14.77, Long Jump: 18'4", Triple Jump: 37'3.75", Heptathlon: 4060
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisc.
High School: Rufus King
High School and or Club Coach: Steed Welch
Parents: Calvin & Tequila Matthew
Event Coach Quote: "Sydnee will be a great asset to our program. She will make an immediate impact in several events. Sydnee comes from a competitive high school program in addition to having national level experience during the summer. With her talent and experience we are eager to see how high and fast she will fly as a Falcon." – Coach James Gildon
Dorresha Green
Event Group & Primary Events: Sprints
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
OHSAA State Championships (2011 – 12th 400m; 2012 – 12th 100m; 2013 – 8th 100m, 12th 200m) PR's – 100m: 11.91, 200m: 24.8 (School Record), 400m: 58.67
Hometown: Sandusky, Ohio
High School: Sandusky
High School and or Club Coach: Kristina Downing
Parent: Doris Green
Event Coach Quote: "Dorresha is a three-sport athlete (soccer, basketball, track) and has a lot of upside in track. Her passion for excelling and achievement are qualities that aren't coachable. Along with those qualities, Dorresha has been a proven leader during her time at Sandusky. Dorresha's talent along with her intangibles will enable her to contribute immediately as a Falcon." -- Coach James Gildon
Africa Strodes
Event Group & Primary Events: Sprints/Jumps
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
OHSAA State Championships (2012 – 6th Long Jump; 2013 – 3rd 4x100m relay (School Record), 12th Long Jump); PR's – Long Jump: 18'4.75" (School Record), Triple Jump: 36'3.5", 100m: 12.56
Hometown: Springfield, Ohio
High School: Xenia
High School and or Club Coach: Corey Burnette Sr.
Parent: Carina Johnson
Event Coach Quote: "Africa is another three-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball, track). She has excelled in all three, but has chosen track for her future. Africa will focus more on the horizontal jumps this year while finding balance for the relays. Africa has national level experience qualifying for USATF National Junior Olympics in multiple events. We are looking forward to Africa having a breakout senior season and transitioning to our program in the fall." -- Coach James Gildon
Elena Lancioni
Event Group & Primary Events: Cross Country/Distance
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
3rd 18:03.50 - '13 Indiana State XC Championships
1st 18:11.30 – '13 Indiana Semi-State 4 Championships
21st 18:18.00 – '13 Footlocker Mid-West Regional
10th 11:02.34 – '13 Indiana State T&F Championships, 3,200m
11th 5:03.52 - '13 Indiana State T&F Championships, 1,600m
Hometown: LaPorte, Ind.
Parents: Sonja & Mike Lancioni
High School: LaPorte
High School and or Club Coach: John Dearing
Event Coach Quote: "Elena is an exciting addition to the distance roster. She typifies the athlete we strive to continue to bring into this program. She is a 4.0 student and will be valedictorian of her class at LaPorte. Elena is heavily involved with her school and community, volunteering her time to many different causes. Athletically, she has the desire, talent and vision to succeed at the highest level. As team captain, she has been instrumental in the growing success of her high school program. I expect Elena to make an immediate impact on our program and in the MAC." -- Coach Lou Snelling
Rachel Walny
Event Group & Primary Events: Cross Country/Distance
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
6th 10:59.40 – '14 MITS State 3,200m
11th 5:06.26 – '13 MHSAA LP State Finals, 1,600m
15th 11:14.94 – '13 MHSAA LP State Finals 3,200m
22nd 18:28.9 – '12 MHSAA XC LP D1 State
3rd 18:13.0 – '12 MHSAA XC D1 Region 8
Hometown: Clinton Twp., Mich.
Parents: Denise and Nick Walny
High School: International Academy of Macomb (Academics)/Chippewa Valley (Athletics)
High School and or Club Coach: Frank Tymrak/Terry Wilson
Event Coach Quote: "Rachel has tremendous upside athletically and has the chance to contribute immediately to our program. She will have a major impact on the MAC once she adapts to training at the collegiate level. She has been in a leadership role on her team and has been a major part of building her high school program. Rachel is a 4.0 student in a very advanced academic setting and will help us reach our goal of having the highest team GPA in the conference." – Coach Lou Snelling
"This group of student-athletes has the potential to be one of the best classes in school history and we are thrilled to have them join the Falcon Family," Snelling said. "This diverse class has the commonality of understanding the work ethic, focus and desire needed to help this program achieve our high goals. Academically and athletically, we want to consistently be one of the best all-around programs in the MAC. This class will be a major part of helping us to ultimately reach those goals. Assistant Coach James Gildon has done a tremendous job bringing this level of talent to Bowling Green. We will work to finish out this recruiting class and are excited about the athletes who we can add over the next several months."
BGSU's cross country and track and field programs have been on the rise under third-year coach Snelling. In the fall of 2013, the cross country team ended in the top half of the standings at the MAC Championships for the first time since 2008. The indoor track and field team just completed their season tied for eighth at the MAC Championships, up from 11th a year ago. The outdoor track and field program climbed two spots to 10th last spring and saw then-sophomore Brooke Pleger earn first team All-American honors.
Complete bios for each of the six student-athletes who have committed are listed below:
Event Group & Primary Events: Jumps
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
OHSAA State Championships (2013 – 1st High Jump), Three-time 1st team All-Conference, School Record Holder (HJ – 5'5"), Three-time team MVP; Nearly averaged a triple double in basketball her senior year (15.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 7.8 blocks)
Hometown: Lima, Ohio
High School: Perry
High School and or Club Coach: Dan Kirby
Parents: Jason Davis & Michelle Cox
Event Coach Quote: "Lexie will add depth to our jump group, more specifically in the high jump. She is a raw talent with a lot of upside. Having won a state championship, she has been competitive on a high level and that will transfer well competing in the Mid-American Conference next year." -- Coach James Gildon
Event Group & Primary Events: Combined Events/Jumps
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
2013 W/TFA State Indoor Championships (Athlete of the Meet, 1st-4x200m relay, 1st-Triple Jump, 2nd-Long Jump, 4th-55h); 2013 WIAA State Outdoor Championships (1st-4x100m relay, 4th-Triple Jump, 6th-100HH); 2013 All-Conference (Long Jump, 4x100m relay); PR's – 100HH: 14.77, Long Jump: 18'4", Triple Jump: 37'3.75", Heptathlon: 4060
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisc.
High School: Rufus King
High School and or Club Coach: Steed Welch
Parents: Calvin & Tequila Matthew
Event Coach Quote: "Sydnee will be a great asset to our program. She will make an immediate impact in several events. Sydnee comes from a competitive high school program in addition to having national level experience during the summer. With her talent and experience we are eager to see how high and fast she will fly as a Falcon." – Coach James Gildon
Event Group & Primary Events: Sprints
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
OHSAA State Championships (2011 – 12th 400m; 2012 – 12th 100m; 2013 – 8th 100m, 12th 200m) PR's – 100m: 11.91, 200m: 24.8 (School Record), 400m: 58.67
Hometown: Sandusky, Ohio
High School: Sandusky
High School and or Club Coach: Kristina Downing
Parent: Doris Green
Event Coach Quote: "Dorresha is a three-sport athlete (soccer, basketball, track) and has a lot of upside in track. Her passion for excelling and achievement are qualities that aren't coachable. Along with those qualities, Dorresha has been a proven leader during her time at Sandusky. Dorresha's talent along with her intangibles will enable her to contribute immediately as a Falcon." -- Coach James Gildon
Event Group & Primary Events: Sprints/Jumps
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
OHSAA State Championships (2012 – 6th Long Jump; 2013 – 3rd 4x100m relay (School Record), 12th Long Jump); PR's – Long Jump: 18'4.75" (School Record), Triple Jump: 36'3.5", 100m: 12.56
Hometown: Springfield, Ohio
High School: Xenia
High School and or Club Coach: Corey Burnette Sr.
Parent: Carina Johnson
Event Coach Quote: "Africa is another three-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball, track). She has excelled in all three, but has chosen track for her future. Africa will focus more on the horizontal jumps this year while finding balance for the relays. Africa has national level experience qualifying for USATF National Junior Olympics in multiple events. We are looking forward to Africa having a breakout senior season and transitioning to our program in the fall." -- Coach James Gildon
Event Group & Primary Events: Cross Country/Distance
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
3rd 18:03.50 - '13 Indiana State XC Championships
1st 18:11.30 – '13 Indiana Semi-State 4 Championships
21st 18:18.00 – '13 Footlocker Mid-West Regional
10th 11:02.34 – '13 Indiana State T&F Championships, 3,200m
11th 5:03.52 - '13 Indiana State T&F Championships, 1,600m
Hometown: LaPorte, Ind.
Parents: Sonja & Mike Lancioni
High School: LaPorte
High School and or Club Coach: John Dearing
Event Coach Quote: "Elena is an exciting addition to the distance roster. She typifies the athlete we strive to continue to bring into this program. She is a 4.0 student and will be valedictorian of her class at LaPorte. Elena is heavily involved with her school and community, volunteering her time to many different causes. Athletically, she has the desire, talent and vision to succeed at the highest level. As team captain, she has been instrumental in the growing success of her high school program. I expect Elena to make an immediate impact on our program and in the MAC." -- Coach Lou Snelling
Event Group & Primary Events: Cross Country/Distance
Major Accomplishments & Stats:
6th 10:59.40 – '14 MITS State 3,200m
11th 5:06.26 – '13 MHSAA LP State Finals, 1,600m
15th 11:14.94 – '13 MHSAA LP State Finals 3,200m
22nd 18:28.9 – '12 MHSAA XC LP D1 State
3rd 18:13.0 – '12 MHSAA XC D1 Region 8
Hometown: Clinton Twp., Mich.
Parents: Denise and Nick Walny
High School: International Academy of Macomb (Academics)/Chippewa Valley (Athletics)
High School and or Club Coach: Frank Tymrak/Terry Wilson
Event Coach Quote: "Rachel has tremendous upside athletically and has the chance to contribute immediately to our program. She will have a major impact on the MAC once she adapts to training at the collegiate level. She has been in a leadership role on her team and has been a major part of building her high school program. Rachel is a 4.0 student in a very advanced academic setting and will help us reach our goal of having the highest team GPA in the conference." – Coach Lou Snelling
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Tuesday, June 10
Lou Snelling Post-MAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships Interview (May 17, 2025)
Wednesday, May 21
Lou Snelling Post-Meet Interview (December 7, 2024)
Wednesday, December 11
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Saturday, January 13