Cavs Cross Country Signs Four to 2008 Class

March 3, 2008

Adam Hobbs, UVa-Wise head coach Jason Lewkowicz and Reece Miller

Lewkowicz, Hobbs, Leigh Hobbs and younger brother

Lewkowicz with Miller and his parents - Becky & Deck

FR: Charlotte Collins, mother, Ethan, coach Connie Crabtree; BR: Castlewood principal Scotty Fletcher, Lewkowicz & Castlewood athletic director Tom Allen

Fran Balthis, Kayla Balthis & Tim Balthis

Wise, Va. – After a whirl-wind of three southwest Virginia high schools last week, UVa-Wise cross country head coach Jason Lewkowicz made it back to the Wise campus with three new men and an incoming women’s runner to join the ranks next fall. The future Highland Cavaliers included Adam Hobbs and Reece Miller of John Battle High, Ethan Collins from Castlewood High and Kayla Balthis out of Pound High.

Coach Lewkowicz has slowly been building the two squads over the past few cross country seasons. Both teams return in full force for the 2008 season including NAIA national qualifier Brittany Killough for the women and All-Appalachian Athletic Conference freshman Collin Skeen.

The lone Lady Cav will be Balthis. She is an All-Lonesome Pine District and All-Region D performer in each of the past three seasons. Kayla is the Wildcat school record holder with a 20:01 time in the 5k. Balthis placed third in the 2007 regional meet and a solid 22 nd in the Virginia state meet. She is also an accomplished basketball player for Pound.

“I’m excited to add Kayla to our rapidly improving women’s team,” explained Lewkowicz. “She brings great athleticism as evidenced by her overall success in athletics.”

“She is an extremely hard worker and comes from a great family. I feel that she will adapt well to our training regimen and has great potential to be an outstanding collegiate distance runner and make an immediate impact.”

Hobbs and Miller will continue being teammates for another four years. The two runners combined to be named All-Hogoheegee District six times and both finished in the top 35 runners in Virginia last fall.

Hobbs claimed all-district status twice and all-region his senior year while finishing in the top 30 at the state championships.

“Adam showed tremendous growth over his senior season in cross country and I expect to see him blossom as a collegiate runner,” tells the Cavs’ coach. “ He received great coaching during this past season has all of the tools needed to be successful at the next level. Along with Reece, he helped lead his cross country team to great success and I feel that he will be a big contributor to the success of our men’s team next season.”

Miller earned all-district four times and joined his teammate on the all-region squad. Reece was in the top 35 runners in the state championship meet. He also has been a track & field all-district performer two times.

Lewkowicz says, “Reece is someone who will bring a great attitude and work ethic to our team next year. He responded well to the new coaching staff at John Battle this past season and he has set himself up to be a contributing factor on our team next year.

“He is excited to be joining the UVa-Wise family and we couldn’t be more excited to have him on board.”

Ethan Collins will make the trek up route 58 from Castlewood to the Wise campus in the fall. While at Castlewood, he has been an All-Cumberland District and All-Region runner the last three year as well as the Blue Devils’ 5k record holder (16:54). Ethan has also been an accomplished hoops play at Castlewood over his scholastic career.

“Ethan is someone I have been able to watch for the past few years and I am excited that he is coming to UVa-Wise,” added the Highland Cavaliers’ director. “ He has had a decorated career at Castlewood in cross country, basketball, and track & field and I feel as though he will only improve once he gets into our program.

“He’s a good kid from a great family that has already produced a solid runner in his brother Seth, a former Cavs harrier.”