July 22, 2008

DAVIS, Calif. - It was announced Tuesday by UC Davis track and field and cross country that distance runner Kristina Taylor of Vista Murrieta High School has signed a National Letter of Intent during the spring signing period. She is expected to enroll at UC Davis in the upcoming fall quarter of 2008.

"Kristina bubbled up to us late in the season and she comes from a great high school program," said women's track and field head coach Deanne Vochatzer. "She will help us out tremendously in the 1,500 and will also run the steeplechase and 5,000. We'll also see how she comes along in the upcoming training for the cross country season. We're glad to have her."

Taylor is the 10th overall student-athlete signed by the track and field and cross country teams, which includes a group of seven distance runners. Taylor was an All-Southwestern League selection in cross country and served as a team captain as a senior. In track and field, Taylor set the school record in the 1,600 (4:59.69)) and 3,200 (10:57.86), and earned all-league honors in both events. In addition to setting school records, Taylor's times are also the fifth-fastest all-time in Riverside County and makes her only the sixth girl to break five minutes in the 1,600 and 10th to break 11 minutes in the 3,200. Taylor also won the league title in the 1,600 as a senior.

Scholastically, Taylor earned an academic achievement award three straight years and was Vista Murrieta's student of the month as a junior.

UC Davis cross country begins its second official NCAA Division I season September 6 with the Aggie Open.