SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Augustana cross country and track & field head coach Tracy Hellman announced the signing of seven female student-athletes on Wednesday set to join the Vikings for the 2015-16 seasons.

Elizabeth Rew of Mitchell, S.D., Ashley Solano of Rapid City, S.D., Alaina Klapperich of Rapid City, S.D., Amanda Nelson of Billings, Mont., Brooke De Vos of Sioux Falls, S.D., Annika Rotvold of Hillsboro, N.D., and Emily Delzer of Rapid City, S.D. each signed their letter of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at Augustana.

"We are very excited to announce our 2015 early signings for our track and field/cross country programs." Hellman said. "The coaching staff worked hard to identify early in the recruitment process individuals who would be great fits for our program. We feel that these seven student athletes fit what we look for in prospective student-athletes.  Not only are they great athletes, but they are also great students with great character, which is important when building a team. This is just the first group of athletes that we will sign this year, but we are excited to have them enrolling at Augustana."

Rew is a four-year letterwinner at Mitchell High School. As a junior, Rew was the State Champion in the 100-meter hurdles and won the Gold Medal Award for best time overall in the state.

Binstock on Rew: "Ellie has been very successful in both hurdle events in high school and is one of the most dedicated athletes that I have come to know." Assistant Coach Greg Binstock said. "With her athleticism, and depending on her development, Ellie has potential to help us in many other events."

Solano is a three time letterwinner at Central High School. In her junior season, Solano took first at state in the 300-meter hurdles, and placed seventh in the 100-meter hurdles.

Binstock on Solano: "Ashley had a breakthrough last season in the 300-meter hurdles, evident as she crossed the finish line as the state champion in South Dakota." Binstock said. "She is a very competitive athlete that along with the 400-meter hurdles in college she will also give us great depth in relays."

Klapperich is a four year letterwinner at Rapid City Central High School tabbing second-place at state in the 100-meter dash, and fourth in 200-meter dash.  She also placed third in the special invite 200 at Howard Wood Relays.

Binstock on Klapperich: "Alaina has a personal-best time in the 100-meter which was one of top marks in South Dakota." Binstock said. "As a senior, I look forward to watching her continual development in the sprints.  Alaina has the ability to be our cornerstone in the short sprints in which we will be able to build around."

Nelson is a three year letterwinner at Sky View High School. Nelson set the school record in cross country for the three-mile race, clocking a time of 17:25, followed by earning a sixth-place finish her senior year at state which earned her all-state honors. As a junior, Nelson recorded a school record in the 3200-meter race, clocking a time of 11:21.

Hellman on Nelson: "We are super excited about Amanda's potential in the distance events in college." Hellman said. "Amanda had a huge breakthrough this fall with her performance in cross country.  She placed very high in a number of elite meets and was one of the best seniors in the state of Montana, which says a lot considering this year Montana had a deep group of talented distance runners. We are excited about her potential to step in right away and help our team towards our goal of a National Championship."

De Vos is a three time letterwinner at Roosevelt High School. In her junior season, De Vos broke the Roosevelt 400-meter indoor record clocking a time of 59.67. Her personal best in 400-meter is (58.27), and 800-meter (2:18.5). She placed fourth at state in the 800-meter, and fifth in the 400-meter.  

Binstock on De Vos: "Brooke is one of those 400-meter runners that coaches love, because she can run 200-meter and 800-meters as well." Binstock said. "She has great range and I have had my eye on her since she was a sophomore. She will solidify our 4x400 relay."

Rotvold is a four time letterwinner at Hillsboro High School. She recorded a 15:01 in the 4,000-meter and recorded a personal-best 19:21 in the 5,000-meter. Was named Class B Girls Senior Athlete of the Year, and fourth in state in cross country. In her junior season, Rotvold recorded a personal-best in the 800-meter race clocking a time of 2:17.95, and in the 1600-meter finishing with time of 5:15.24.  

Hellman on Rotvold: "Annika is an athlete who we felt was under the radar in the recruiting process, yet we feel has a ton of upside." Hellman said. "She ran some very impressive times in track with low volume, so we feel that there is lots of opportunity for improvement. She has also been a part of state championship team and the leadership qualities are very important to our program. The sky is the limit with Annika, we look forward to her transition to the college training and racing."

Delzer is a four year letterwinner from Stevens High School. Delzer placed sixth in the 100-meter and 200-meter at state her junior campaign.

Binstock on Delzer: "Emily has the range to run the 60-meter dash indoor through the 400. At Stevens, she has been a key component of both their state championship sprint relays running the anchor leg in both the 4x100 and 4x200.  Along with her successes on the track, Emily also excelled in the classroom heading into her senior year."

"We feel that this is one of the best groups of students-athletes to sign at Augustana on the women's side." Hellman said. "That is a great foundation to have for the future of our program going forward."