May 11, 2010

Neal signs with Rio

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande women's track and field program has signed its second recruit for the 2010-11 season in the person of Amanda Neal from Point Pleasant High School.

Neal, a hurdler and sprinter, will also give cross country a try in the fall. She is very accomplished in both the classroom and on the track as well being active in other school activities and organizations. Neal ran track all four years at PPHS and was a member of the cross country team for two years, serving as team captain.

She was a key member of the PPHS 4 x 100-meter relay team that finished runner-up in the state and was first in the region in the shuttle hurdles. She garnered the Leadership and Lindsay Mann awards while running track and earned a Coach's Choice award for cross country.

Neal is a member of the National Honor Society and is the Senior Class Vice-President. She was also chosen for a Citizenship Award and has devoted numerous hours to service within the community.

"I am excited about starting college and looking forward to being a part of the Rio team," Neal said following her signing. "I appreciate the advice and recommendations I received from my coach (Matt Cottrill) and the staff at PPHS."

"After visiting the campus and talking to the coaches, Rio Grande just seemed like the right place for me," Neal added.

Rio Grande head coach Bob Willey likes the versatility that Neal brings to his program. "She's got a lot of leg speed, which, you can't teach that, so you're always excited to have someone that runs very fast," Willey said. "She can run hurdles, she ran cross country in high school and was successful at that as well. She's very versatile."

"We're very excited to have her," Willey added. "I know that other schools were looking at her and once again, we're very fortunate that she chose Rio Grande."

"I think some young people like to be close to home, some like to go away and fortunately for us, she wanted to be close to home," he said. "She'll be one of those who'll be able to step right in and help us in our short events and hurdles and be able to make our relay teams even stronger."

Neal discussed what her best asset is as a runner and she said she is willing to work on whatever the coaching staff throws her way. "My best asset is that I play just as well as a team member as I do on my own," she said. "As for what I need to work on, I'll let the coaches decide that."

Rio Grande will not be foreign to Neal as she embarks on college life; she mentioned that she received a considerable amount of information on Rio Grande from her sister. "The information I received came from my older sister who has attended Rio for two years," Neal said. "She has had a great college experience so far."

"I also read about Rio sports in my local paper and I have talked to my high school and jayvee coach," Neal added. 

Neal's goal is to give her all to the school and her team. "My plan for the next four years is to give 110 percent to Rio and my team and to continue to improve in my sport," she said. "I'm looking forward to getting started."

Amanda plans to major in Physical Fitness.

She is the daughter of David & Kelly Neal of Apple Grove, W. Va. 

She joins Vinton County High School's Scharlena Champion as the current members of the 2010-11 women's track and cross country recruiting classes.