RIO GRANDE, Ohio --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm women's track and field and cross country programs have signed Brittany Pillone of Crooksville High School to a letter of intent to participate in both sports beginning in the fall.

Pillone is excited and ready to move on to the next level. "I am really excited to begin my career as a college athlete at Rio Grande," she said. "I really like Mr. Willey as a coach, and I know they have a good program. Also they have my major." 

"I have been there for camps and districts and felt really comfortable," Pillone added. 

She plans to pursue a degree as an Intervention Specialist.

Rio Grande head coach Bob Willey is pleased to be able to add Pillone to the program. "Brittany is an outstanding young lady. Running-wise, she'll be able to come right in and help us in both cross country and track and field," Willey said. "We're very excited to have her."

Pillone revealed her best asset as a runner and what she feels she needs to improve on to be successful as a collegian. "I am really good at distance (running), but I need to work on sprinting," she said.

Pillone's goal is to be one of the top runners in the program. "I hope to get faster and be in the top to compete," she said.

Brittany is the daughter of Robert and Susan Pillone of Crooksville, Ohio. She ran for Coach Brian Spring at Crooksville High School. 

Pillone joins Samantha Barnes of Gallia Academy and Kaitlyn Roberts of River Valley as the current members of the 2011-12 Rio Grande women's track and field recruiting class and Taylor Hite of Morgan High School as the only other member of the women's cross country recruiting class.

For more information on the track and cross country programs or any of the other athletic teams at the University of Rio Grande, log onto www.rioredstorm.com.