June 1, 2007

DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis men's track and field team has signed six standout student-athletes to National Letters of Intent while the women's team has signed four with the recruiting class scheduled to join the Aggies' programs this fall, it was announced on Friday. Six of the signees qualified for this weekend's California High School State Championships at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento.

Becoming part of the men's track and field program will be Andre Gaston (Pittsburg HS; Pittsburg, Calif.), Ray Green (Ceres HS; Ceres, Calif.), Ed Orgon (Jesuit HS; Fair Oaks, Calif.), Thomas Phillips (Bellarmine Prep; San Jose, Calif.), Igor Seriba (La Jolla HS; San Diego, Calif.) and Rex Tate (Ceres HS; Ceres, Calif.).

Joining the women's program are Brittny Escamilla (El Molino HS, Sebastopol, Calif.), Caitlin Fitzgerald (Highland HS; Palmdale HS), Mina Mohamadi (South Pasadena HS; South Pasadena, Calif.) and Kiara Reed (Chico HS; Chico, Calif.). Escamilla and Fitzgerald will also compete for the Aggie cross country team.

Gaston, Green, Orgon, Phillips, Escamilla and Reed are each scheduled to compete this weekend at Hughes Stadium.

Below are biographies of each student-athlete along with quotes from the UC Davis coaches Jon Vochatzer and Deanne Vochatzer.

Andre Gaston (6-1, 175, Pittsburg, Calif./Pittsburg HS)
Qualified for 2007 state high school championships in 400-meter dash... Placed 2nd at Bay Valley Athletic League championships in 400... Finished 10th at 2006 state meet in 200-meter (22.18) and 400-meter (48.61) races... Finished 3rd at North Coast Section championships as a junior... Placed 2nd in BVAL championships... 200-meter and 400-meter dash BVAL champion as a sophomore in 2005... Finished 4th at BVAL championships in 2004... In 2005, set frosh/soph school record in the 400-meter dash (49.95)... Also lettered in cross country... A 2006 Black Diamond Scholar in math... Mother, Brooke Gaston, was a member of the Cal Track and Field team.

"We are very excited about having Andre become a member of our track program as he brings a strong attitude, work ethic and high level of competitiveness." - Men's coach Jon Vochatzer.

Ray Green (6-6, 192, Ceres, Calif./Ceres HS)
Qualified for 2007 state high school championships in triple jump... At 2007 Sac-Joaquin Division III meet, placed 2nd in 110-meter hurdles, 2nd in 300-meter hurdles and 1st in triple jump (48-07.25)... 2007 Valley Oak Athletic League champion in triple jump and 110-meter hurdles... As a junior, was Valley Oak champion, placed 3rd at North Coast Section Championships, and finished 6th at Sac-Joaquin Section Division Championships... Set high school record in the triple jump... Named Athlete of the Week for track by the Modesto Bee... Also lettered in basketball... Member of the National High School Honor Roll.

"Ray is a multi-sport athlete and has found his niche in track and field. His jumping ability has ranked him among the best in the state." - Men's coach Jon Vochatzer.

Ed Orgon (6-1, 210, Fair Oaks, Calif./Jesuit HS)
Qualified for 2007 state high school championships in shot put... 2007 Delta River League champion in shot put (51-00.75), finished 3rd in discus throw (136-01) at league championships... Posted a career-best mark of 56-9 in shot put to win the Sac Joaquin Masters Finals on May 25... Has a personal-best mark of 145-0 in discus, set at Cal Bay Area Blast Off in March... As a junior, was league champion in shot put (51-05.50), placed 5th in discus throw, and finished 3rd in shot put at Sac-Joaquin Division I section championships... Named All-Delta River League in 2006... Also lettered in football... Four-year high honor student.

"Ed is a powerful competitor. He has continued to improve throughout the season. Ed will add strength to our throws program." - Men's coach Jon Vochatzer.

Thomas Phillips (6-4, 175, San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine College Prep)
Qualified for 2007 state high school championships in 400 and 300 hurdles with marks of 49.16 and 38.64, respectively... At 2007 Western Catholic Athletic League championships, finished as champion in 400-meter dash (50.20), 110-meter hurdles (15.18), and 300-meter hurdles (39.99)... As a junior, finished 2nd in 300-meter hurdles at WCAL championships and placed 6th at Central Coast Section Division championships... In 2005, was WCAL 300-meter hurdle champion... Born in Southampton, Great Britain.

"Thomas is a strong competitor in both the high and intermediate hurdles. His aggressive approach will strengthen our hurdle and long sprint group." - Men's coach Jon Vochatzer.

Igor Seriba (5-11, 155, San Diego, Calif./La Jolla HS)
Went 45 feet, 8.25 inches in triple jump at San Diego Section finals on May 26... Was state qualifier in triple jump as a junior... Placed 11th at CIF State championships... Finished 2nd in 2006 at San Diego section in both long jump (21-10) and triple jump (45-8)... Voted team MVP... Also lettered in basketball and football... Recognized as All-Western League Team Honorable Mention receiver during senior year... Named Outstanding Scholar-Athlete by San Diego Union-Tribune.

"Igor will be a strong addition to our jumping group and also add to the short sprint corps." Men's coach Jon Vochatzer.

Ross Tate (6-1, 173, Modesto, Calif./Ceres HS)
Finished 1st in high jump at 2007 Meet of Champions in April... Stanislaus County Meet champion in high jump...Has a personal-best of 6 feet, 6 inches... 2006 CIF state qualifier... Named to 2006 Modesto Bee All-District team... 2006 Ceres High School Male Athlete of the Year... Also lettered in football and basketball... Served as team captain in both basketball and football in 2006-2007 seasons... Named to 2007 Valley Oak League All-Defensive team for football... Academic All-League 2004-2006.

"Ross is an all-around athlete who specializes in the high jump. His jumping ability will definitely add to our strong field of returning jumpers. We are really pleased to have Ross as a member of our team." - Men's coach Jon Vochatzer.

Brittny Escamilla (Sebastopol, Calif./El Molino HS)
Qualified for 2007 state high school championships in 3,200... 2006 Sonoma County League champion in 3200-meter (12:16) and 1600-meter (5:21)... Ran 5:03 in 1,600 and 11:00 in 3,200 at NCS Meet of Champions in May... In 3200-meter, placed 4th at Redwood Empire (11:35) and 6th at Meet of Champions (11:21)... Also finished 4th at Redwood Empire in 1600-meter (5:12)... Set school records in 3200-meter and 1600-meter races... Also lettered in soccer and cross country... Was 2006 Division IV North Coast Section champion in cross country and finished 3rd in Division IV CIF State Championship meet... Named 2006 El Molino Athlete of the Year by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

"Brittny is just beginning to discover what she is capable of as a distance runner which is exciting since she is an all-state cross country athlete. She has the ability to make an immediate impact for us and with her tenacity and toughness, she will be a force to be reckoned with on this level." - Women's coach Deanne Vochatzer.

Caitlin Fitzgerald (5-2, Palmdale, Calif./Highland HS)
Finished 2nd in 1600-meter and 3200-meter races at Golden League championships in 2005... Set 3000-meter record at Yamamoto Invitational... Also lettered in cross country... 2006 Golden League champion in cross country... Finished 5th at Mt. SAC invitational and named to All-State team for cross country... Scholar Athlete and Valedictorian.

"Caitlin is a fantastic student-athlete. She brings a very disciplined approach to her running which will serve her well as she takes on the longer distances at the collegiate level." - Women's coach Deanne Vochatzer.

Mina Mohamadi (5-7, Pasadena, Calif./South Pasadena HS)
2006 Rio Hondo League champion in 100-meter dash... Finished 3rd in 100-meter (12.19) and 5th in 200-meter (25.38) races at Division III CIF Southern Section Finals... Set school record in 4x100 meter relay, 4x200 meter relay, and sprint medley... Named Student-Athlete... Voted Homecoming Queen.

"Mina will have an impact on the success of our short sprints and relays. She will add to the depth of our sprinters." - Women's coach Deanne Vochatzer.

Kiara Reed (5-7, Chico, Calif./Chico HS)
Qualified for 2007 state championships in 200 and 400... Posted a career-best time of 56.98 in the 400 at the West Valley/Chico Invitational and 25.65 in the 200 at the North Section Championships last week... Won section and Eastern Athletic League Championships in both events this season... Won both league titles as a junior... Has won 11 of 12 races in the 400 this season... Also a member of the 4x400 relay team... Also participated in basketball at Chico HS.

"Kiara's competitive nature will be a true fit to our team. She displays the desire to improve, to succeed and to win. - Women's coach Deanne Vochatzer.