CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University women's track and field program was proud to announce the addition of its first two signees for the 2010-11 season, inking pole vault specialists Haley Fischer of Kingston, Ill., and Liz Garrison of Erie, Ill.
Fischer and Garrison are both Illinois state qualifiers in pole vault, an event Ashford has had no entries as of recent history. They represent the first two signees on the women's side for AU Head Coach Chris Adams.
"We're excited to add depth in an event that will help get points on the board as we develop our program," Adams said. "Haley and Liz come from quality programs and they're state qualifiers. We're looking for them to adapt at the collegiate level to make an immediate impact as incoming freshmen next year."
Fischer is a four-year member of Genoa-Kingston High School's track program where she qualified for the state meet as a junior in pole vault. She was also a contributor to G-K's sectional championship in the 4x400 and 4x800-meter relay events.
Fischer also played volleyball for two years, serving as a co-captain as a freshman, while also participating in cheerleading for the Cogs.
"I'm really excited to hopefully start a strong tradition here," she said. "I really enjoyed my visit and I enjoy the community; it feels a lot like my high school."
The daughter of John and Taunya Fischer, Haley intends to pursue her degree in Sports Management at Ashford.
Garrison hails from nearby Erie and currently attends Erie High School. She comes from the same school as AU men's track and field freshman Shawn Goodhart, also a pole vaulter.
Garrison is a three-year state qualifier in pole vault and has her sights set on a fourth trip this spring as she wraps up her senior year. She was a member of Erie's volleyball team and collected second-team all-conference honors while leading the league in service aces the past two seasons.
Garrison was also a member of a state-qualifying 4x200-meter relay team as a sophomore.
The daughter of Phillip and Bridget Garrison, Liz, has a plan to start her studies in Biology while at Ashford.
