Illinois runner is Gold Nuggets' second signee for 2012

HANNAH FINNEGAN

NEW ORLEANS — Hannah Finnegan of Pekin, Illinois, and Tremont High School has signed a women's cross country scholarship with Xavier University of Louisiana. She is XU's second runner signed for 2012.

Finnegan broke 20 minutes for three miles each of the past two seasons at the Illinois High School Association championships, placing 118th in 19:55 in 2011 and 81st in 19:47 in 2010. Her best three-mile time is 19:43.

Finnegan helped Tremont's Turks finish 10th out of 25 schools in the Class 1A team standings in 2011, sixth out of 20 schools in 2010 and 11th out of 20 schools in 2009.

In track and field Finnegan is a two-time qualifier for the state meet in the 800-meter run and has a best time of 2:30 in that event.

Finnegan, a team captain in cross country and track, has a 3.88 grade-point average and will major in pharmacy at Xavier.

Pekin is a suburb south of Peoria and about 170 miles southwest of Chicago.

Briana Simms of Hendersonville, Tennessee, signed with the Gold Nuggets in February.

Xavier's women won the past six Gulf Coast Athletic Conference team championships and qualified for three of the past four NAIA National Championships.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA