Red Wolves - IU East

The Red Wolves added one of the few and the proud to their cross country pack.

Joshua Allen, a recent Randolph Southern High School graduate, has signed a letter of intent to run cross country for Indiana University East.

Red Wolves coach Pam Mertz announced the signing Aug. 25.

Allen plans to leave for United States Marine Corps training in May. He says cross country will help him get ready for training as he completes his recovery from a knee injury.

Allen ran as high as No. 2 in the Randolph Southern cross country lineup. He also earned Randolph Southern's Most Improved Runner award.

He earned all-county and all-conference honors during his cross country career at Randolph Southern.

His best 5K times are around the 18-minute mark.

IU East coach Pam Mertz says Allen will add to the depth of the Red Wolves' lead pack and will provided added buffer against injury. IU East's roster was close to the minimum needed to field a full team prior to Allen's signing.

"Josh ran good times in high school," Mertz said. "He is a roommate to (Red Wolves runners) Justin Taylor and Brandon Arnett and decided he wanted to join."

Joshua is the son of Patrick and Sandra Allen.

He plans to major in criminal justice.

"I chose IU East because I learned it was a great college, and I was wanting to do cross country to get in shape for the Marine Corps," Allen said.

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