Top cross country and track athletes to compete at BYU

PROVO, Utah – BYU women’s track and field announced that Mary Christensen and Lauren Ellsworth have signed national letters of intent to compete for the Cougars beginning in the 2015-16 season.

Christensen, a senior at Timpanogos High School in Orem, finished third at the Utah State Cross Country Championships in 2013 and 2014.

“Mary has a lot of upside and is someone we feel really good about,” BYU women’s cross country coach Patrick Shane said. “She fits the mold of many athletes that have come to BYU and developed in to high-level athletes.”

Christensen boasts personal bests of 5:03.71 in the 1600 meters and 11:00.23 in the 3200 meters.

Ellsworth, a senior at Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona, is one of the top-10 800m runners in the country. She competed at the Brooks PR Invitational in 2014, a select invite for top high school track athletes.

“We are really pleased to get her,” BYU head track coach Ed Eyestone said. “There are only a handful of 800m runners in the nation that are even close to what she’s running.”

Ellsworth’s personal bests include running the 800 meters in 2:07.61, the 1600 meters in 4:53.43, and 3200 meters in 10:51.93.

Both athletes will be expected to contribute immediately in the fall of 2015.