Red Wolves - IU East

The Red Wolves cross country program came up with a strong finishing kick to its 2010 recruiting class.

Tim Lowman of Eaton, Ohio, and Danielle Kneisley of New Lebanon, Ohio, have signed letters of intent to run cross country for Indiana University East.

Red Wolves cross country coach Pam Mertz announced the signings Aug. 13.

Lowman is a 2007 Eaton High School graduate who most recently attended Miami University. He will join the IU East program as a redshirt junior.

Kneisley is a recent Dixie High School graduate.

Lowman sought out Mertz after the Run With the Wolves 5K on July 17 at the IU East course to express his interest in joining the Red Wolves program.

"I knew IU East had a cross country program, and I still run, so I was interested in that," Lowman said.

"I had a friend who went to IU East and he said he liked it, that it was a really friendly atmosphere, had small class sizes and the price was great. The closeness to home also appealed to me."

Lowman served as a captain of Eaton's cross country team. His 8K personal best of 31:17 would be 10th on IU East's all-time list.

"Tim loved our course so much he decided to be a part of our team," Mertz said. "He came at a great time because we were needing another strong runner."

Tim is the son of John R. and Carolyn Lowman. He plans to major in accounting.

Kneisley helped her Dixie High School cross country team win four consecutive conference titles. She earned individual all-conference honors all four of her high school seasons.

Her 5K personal best of 21:50 would rank third on IU East's all-time list.

"I've enjoyed meeting all of the girls and all of the new people on the team," Kneisley said. "My goal is to make it to nationals and stay up with Carlie (Rider, a fellow IU East freshman)."

Kneisley competed in six sports in high school - cross country, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, track and tennis. Mertz is glad she chose to run cross country for IU East.

"Danielle will add to our depth," Mertz said. "If she can get her times back to where they were last year she could be going to nationals."

Danielle is the daughter of Denise and Daniel Kneisley. She plans to major in nursing.

IU East is an NAIA program. The Red Wolves open the 2010 season Sept. 2 at the A-J Special at Asbury University.

Click here to view the Red Wolves' 2010 schedule.

Click here to view the Red Wolves' 2010 men's cross country roster.

Click here to view the Red Wolves' 2010 women's cross country roster.