The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Cross Country, Track & Field Signs Elin Andersson
4/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
April 22, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- UAB interim track and field coach Kurt Thomas has announced a new addition to the cross country and track and field teams. Elin Andersson from Katedralskolan High School in Lund, Sweden, has signed a National Letter of Intent to run for the Blazers starting in the fall of 2010.
"This year our middle distance runners have improved quite a bit, and the chance to add an athlete like Elin is really exciting," Thomas said. "By adding Elin and returning Lauren Fayen and Bianca Le'Blanc, we will have three runners who have already run 2:11 in the 800m. That's a group that could do special things in Conference USA."
In 2008, Andersson ran to a time of 2:13.12 in the 800m to place fourth at the Swedish Junior National Championships.
"Elin will also add depth in cross country, and I think that she can develop into a top level runner over the 5k and 6k," UAB head cross country coach Blake Boldon said.
Andersson continued her success at the 2009 Swedish School Championships. She won the 800m race and finished third in the 1500m with a personal-best time of 4:44.20.
At the 2009 Swedish National Championships, Andersson posted a seventh-place finish in the 800m.
She earned another fourth-place finish in the 800m at the 2009 Swedish Junior National Championships after running a personal-best time of 2:11.37. After this performance, she was selected to represent Sweden in the 800m at the Nordic Under 20 Championships, where she placed fifth.
"Signing an athlete with experience representing her country internationally makes our team better and continues to build our program to the national level," Thomas said.
In her spare time, Andersson also coaches a club track team of nine and ten year old children.
Players Mentioned
