CLINTON, Iowa - Ashford University track and field Head Coach Chris Adams gained the commitment of three student-athletes from Davenport earlier this month as Matthew McCune, Richard Faust and Syruss Martin, each committed to the program for next season.

The three runners all committed during the school-wide signing day at Davenport West High School earlier this month.

"Adding these three student-athletes from Davenport West provides not only depth in a variety of events, but also gives us immediate scoring impacts for our program," Adams said. "These commitments will help keep our team balanced because it will allow our team to compete in all areas of a track meet."

McCune, a middle-distance runner who will also run cross country for the Saints, was a three-year varsity wrestler in addition to running on the track and cross country teams at West. During his junior season, he was a member of the Falcons' 4x800-meter relay team that qualified for the Iowa state meet.

Also an outstanding student in the classroom, McCune has been named to a Mississippi Athletic Conference All-Academic team on seven occasions.

Faust, the son of Roberta Anderson, will bring depth to the Saints' sprinting and jumping cores, which will help ease the loss of graduated senior Caleb Snyder of Winnebago, Ill.

A top-ranked sprinter and jumper in the state of Iowa, Faust placed sixth at the Iowa state track meet in the long jump and was also a member of the state-qualifying 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400-meter relays, for the Falcons.

Martin, a prospective Health Science major when he arrives to campus, will join McCure as a mid-distance runner, specializing in the 800-meter run. Adams believes that Martin has the potential to make an immediate impact with the Saints' distance relays and might be the type of track athlete that could run a variety of events, including the 1,600-meter run.

Adams noted that signing athletes from the talent-rich Quad Cities area will help the Ashford track and field program continue to improve and expand and thanked West Head Coach Marty Leal for his continuing support.

"I think it's important that we have reached such a strong connection with schools in the Quad Cities, and I hope we continue that," said Adams. "Coach Leal has been a great contact for us, both for his athletes and other area athletes."