TOWSON, Md. — Towson University cross country head coach, Mike Jackson officially welcomed six newcomers to the squad Thursday morning with the start of preseason meetings.
Freshmen Sara Kindbom, Mia Martinez, Alexis Mogensen, Aubrey Shaffer and Casey Walter will join the team for the 2021 season in addition to transfer Ainsley Jacobs.
Sara Kindbom
Hometown: Columbia, Md.
High School: Howard
Accolades: Won 2019 4A Cross Country State Championship … also claimed 2019 and 2021 outdoor track and field championships … member of both the English and Spanish Honors Societies.
Mia Martinez
Hometown: Ridgefield Park, N.J.
High School: Ridgefield Park Jr./Sr. H.S.
Accolades: Holds school records in 400 meter, 4x100 relay and sprint medley relay … personal best in the 800 meter is 2:25.
Alexis Mogensen
Hometown: Tenafly, N.J.
High School: Tenafly H.S.
Accolades: Achieved All-League and All-County selections in both cross country and track and field … four-year member of the varsity cross country and track and field teams … received tea, MVP honors … won the Gordon Wallace Track and Field award in addition to Red Littler Track and Field Award … also played varsity basketball.
Aubrey Schaffer
Hometown: Frederick, Md.
High School: Oakdale
Accolades: Captured 2021 Outdoor Maryland 2A 4x800 relay championship after coming in second during the 2020 indoor season … placed second in 2018 Maryland 2A Cross Country State Championship before coming in eighth in 2019 … Frederick News Post Cross Country first team All-County selection her last three years of high school … 2019 Maryland High School Girls' State Cross Country team class 2A … class president during freshman and sophomore years … served as Secretary of the National Honors Society and a four-year member of the honor roll … also was a part of the swim team and bocce ball team.
Casey Walter
Hometown: Glen Rock, N.J.
High School: Northern Valley Demarest
Accolades: Crowned county relay champion … helped team to win league, county and state section titles … holds school record in 5k, 3200 meter, 4x800 relay, distance medley relay and 4x1600 relay … individual New Jersey Meet of Champions qualifier in both 3200 meter and 4x800 relay … earned first team All-County and All-League honors in track and field as well as first team All-League in cross country … second team All-North Jersey and All-County in cross country … third team All-State Group 3 for cross country … also a member of the National Honors Society and honor roll.
Ainsley Jacobs
Hometown: Fairfax, Va.
High School/previous school: Flint Hill School/Lafayette
Accolades: Lafayette program record holder in the outdoor 5k (17:00:39) and third all-time in 10k (35:54) …placed seventh in Patriot League Championship 10k in 2019 to earn second team all-conference honors … also finished eighth in league cross country championships in the same year … placed fourth in ECAC's 10k … recipient of the cross country Leopard award in 2018 … 2019 Most Improved award winner for track and field … awarded MVP for both cross country and track and field in 2021 … served as captain of the cross country team her senior year … recipient of the Richard Jahn Trophy, given to the student-athlete who has contributed the most to the track team in virtue of leadership and ability … also a nominee for the Charles L. Albert Most Outstanding Female Athlete Award … nominated for the Class of 1913 Student-Athlete of the Year award … member of Chi Alpha Sigma, National Scholar-Athlete Society … holds high school's program records in 3200 meter, 1600 meter and 4x800 meter relay … served as both track and soccer team captains in high school.
The Tigers will open their season with hosting the Towson Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 4 at the Baltimore County Agricultural Center. The meet is set to start at 10 a.m.
