Elon Cross Country Inks Five in Early Signing Period

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University cross country programs and head coach Nick Polk announced the addition of five future Phoenix student-athletes to the men’s and women’s teams from this year’s early signing period on Monday, Nov. 24.

The trio of Emma Brown (Matthews, N.C. / Providence Day School), Coralea Geraniotis (Orleans, Mass. / Nauset Regional High School) and Chelsea Smith (Toms River, N.J. / Toms River South High School) will join the women’s team starting in 2015-16. The men’s duo of Josh Kruppa (Freehold, N.J. / Christian Brothers Academy) and Colton Lawson (Bahama, N.C. / Northern High School) will also suit up for the maroon and gold next fall.

“I am very excited about the future of our cross country and track programs at Elon,” said Polk. “At this point we have added five student-athletes that will have a significant impact on our success in the future. It is never an easy task to fill the roles of our graduating seniors, but we have a great start to this incoming class. They will be the future leaders of this program.”

2015 Women’s Cross Country Early Signees
Emma Brown (Matthews, N.C. / Providence Day School)
Best Times: 800-meters – 2:16; 1,600-meters – 5:09; 3,200-meters – 11:09; 5k (XC) – 18:32

Awards and Accolades
• Four-time NCISAA All-state performer (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
• All-conference member in 2014
• Two-year captain of cross country and track and field
• Second team All-Observer in the 1,600-meters in 2013
• Holds the school records in the 1,600-meters, 800-meters and 5K

Personal
• Competed under head coach Ben Hovis
• Two-year member of the National Honor Society
• Daughter of Richard and Donna Brown
• Intends to major in exercise science

Coralea Geraniotis (Orleans, Mass. / Nauset Regional High School)
Best times: 1,600-meters – 5:08; 3,200-meters – 11:02; 5k (XC) – 18:39

Awards and Accolades
• Division 4 Eastern State Massachusetts Cross Country Champion
• Bob McIntyre Twilight Invite D2 Champion
• Two-time Atlantic Coast League Cross Country Champion (2013, 2014)
• Eight-time Nauset MVP
• Division 4 State Indoor Champion in the mile (2014)

Personal
• Boston Herald All-Scholastic Athlete in 2013
• Daughter of Van and Connie Geraniotis
• Intends to major in business

Chelsea Smith (Toms River, N.J. / Toms River South High School)
Best Times: 800-meters – 2:13; 1,600-meters – 4:57

Awards and Accolades
• First team All-county in the 800-meters as a junior
• Finish ninth in the state in the 800-meters as a junior
• School record holder in the 1,600-meters, 800-meters and as a member of the 4×400-meter and distance medley relay teams
• Was the freshman, sophomore MVP and earned the team MVP as a junior
• Helped the DMR team finish 11th in the nation at the Penn Relays in 2013

Personal
• Daughter of the late David Smith and Renee Glenn
• Competed under head coach Ed Baynes in high school

2015 Men’s Cross Country Early Signees
Josh Kruppa (Freehold, N.J. / Christian Brothers Academy)
Best Times: 3,200-meters – 9:26; 5k (XC) – 15:24

Awards and Accolades
• Earned All-American, All-County and All-Shore accolades
• Fourth at the Nike Cross Nationals
• Multiple course record holder

Personal
• Competed in high school under head coach Tom Heath
• Son of Edina and Zsolt Kruppa
• Intends to major in sports management

Colton Lawson (Bahama, N.C. / Northern High School)
Best Times: 1,600-meters – 4:26; 3,000-meters – 8:59; 5k (XC) – 15:57

Awards and Accolades
• All-conference honoree (2011-14)
• Conference Runner of the Year in 2014
• Made All-conference in the 1,600-meters, 3,200-meters and 800-meters
• Finished eighth at regionals in 2014

Personal
• Member of the National Honors Society
• Honor Roll (2011-14)
• Son of Greg and Britt Lawson