NEW YORK — With the 2023 cross country season quickly approaching, Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Daniel Ireland has announced the incoming Class of 2027 for the Columbia cross country and track & field programs. The class consists of 32 student-athletes, split evenly among 16 men and 16 women, and includes 17 cross country runners.

The entire incominng class can be found below. The full 2023 cross country roster can be found HERE, while the full 2023 track & field roster can be found HERE. 
 


Justin Gottlieb (West Virginia - Middle Distance)

High School: Four year varsity member of the track, cross country and swim teams at Jefferson High School, Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia…Holds the West Virginia state high school record for the 800 meter run and 4x400 relay…Placed third in the 800 meter run at 2023 Nike Indoor National- Nike All-American…Won the 2023 West Virginia High School State Championship in the 800 meters…Four-time state meet qualifier in swimming and two-time school record holder…Graduated in top 1% of high school class (number three)...Member of National Honor Society…Junior ROTC Honor Society Program…Class Vice President. 

Personal: Chose Columbia because of the opportunity to attend one of the top schools in the nation and the endless possibilities to learn and grow in the greatest city in the world…Knew Columbia was the perfect fit after my official visit as I felt so at home with the coaching staff and team members….Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Data Science.


 

Benson Fleischer (California - Sprints/Jumps)

High School: Four-time varsity letterman and two-time Track & Field Most Valuable Athlete at at Harvard-Westlake in Studio City, California…Two-time Mission League long jump Champion…Seven-time CIF-SS Division III finalist…2023 CIF-SS Division III long jump runner-up…2023 California State Meet qualifier in long jump…Honor Roll student…National Latin Honor Society…2021 National Latin Exam: Maxima Cum Laude…2020 National Latin Exam: Magna Cum Laude.

Personal: Father Michael Fleischer CC '93 was on the golf team. Mother is Nadia Fleischer and brother is Harrison Fleishcer…Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Financial Economics.

 

Zuriel Jimenez (Pennsylvania - Thrower)

High School: Independent School League Girls Field MVP (2022-23)...NEPSAC League Girls Field MVP (2022)...All-New England in Shot Put, Discus, Javelin (2023)...All ISL in Shot Put, Discus, Javelin and the Hershey Track Cup (2022-23)...Owns school records in Shot Put, Discus, and Javelin... Qualified for New Balance Nationals in the Javelin (2023) and placed 3rd for the National Hispanic Heritage Foundation Sports & Fitness category…Granted a Certificate of Accomplishment Princeton Prize in Race Relations (2021)... Received the Arete Award (2021)...Member of the Heads List (2019-2023), Honor Roll (2019-2023), and Spanish Honors Society (2021-2023).

Personal: Born in New York City…Enrolled in Columbia College…intends to major in psychology.




Kaylee Bennett (Maryland - Sprinter)

High School: Track and Field MVP (Indoor and Outdoor) in 2018 & 2019…New Balance Track and Field Nationals (400m) in 2018 & 2019…Team finalist for interscholastic competition in 2023…Top-10 in state of New Hampshire in 300m and 55m in 2019…Spanish Transition 220 Award winner in 2019…Member of Dean's Council and Captains Council…High Academic Honors

Personal: Coretta and Marvin Bennett Sr. (Parents) were collegiate sprinters on the Morgan State University track team…Marvin Bennett Jr. (Older brother) holds records at Carnegie Mellon University and was a track & field Conference Champion…Jaylen Bennett (Younger Brother) is a sprinter on the St. Kitts and Nevis U20 national team and holds multiple records at Phillips Exeter Academy.




Isabella Ford (Hawaii - Distance)

High School: Member of six-time Hawaii State Champion winning Punahou team…Two-time Hawaii State Champion…2021 Cross Country State Champion & 2022 1500M State Champion…Most Inspirational Player Award for Cross Country in 2020 and 2022…Two-time Gatorade Player of the Year Nominee…Received Recognition Award in Biology and Economics.

Personal: Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Biology.




Maggie Bennett (Oregon - Distance)

High School: First Team Oregon All-State Cross Country in 2022.. All Metro District Cross Country in  2019, 2021, & 2022…Placed fourth in Oregon 3K in 2023…Member of NXN 11th Place team in 2019 and 12th Place team in 2022…Member of National Honor Society.

Personal: Parents both ran collegiately at UNC…Older brother Jack currently runs at Columbia (class of 2025)...Grandfather Robert Bennett, uncle Peter Bennett, and uncle Charles Hoffman graduated from Columbia's Business School.




Leanna Johnston (New Jersey - Distance)

High School: Indoor Bergen County 3200m record holder…Fifth all-time NJ Indoor Track 3200m; Holds 12 school records at Immaculate Heart Academy…First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-State, First Team All-County, First Team All-League..Member of National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Rho Kappa Social Studies National Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society.

Personal: Father is Glenn Johnston, mother is Leslie Johnston…Brother Aidan plays for Oberlin College Lacrosse…Also has another brother named Nate…Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Biology.




Victoria Schrubb (Florida - Jumps)

High School: Multi-sport letter winner in cross country, volleyball, and soccer…Four-time letter winner in Track and Field at Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton, Florida…Earned First-Team All-County three times (2021-2023)...Holds school record in High Jump…Received High Point Award, Most Versatile Award, Tri-Sport Athlete Award, and the Duff Tyler Spirit Award…At FHSAA State meet placed 4th in 2023 & 2022, and 5th 2021 in High Jump…President and Founder of Latin Club…President and Founder Scots Student Section..Vice President of Science National Honor Society.

Personal: Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in psychology, biology, or pre-med.




Jessica Thompson (California - Pole Vault)

High School: Named the 2023 Harvard Westlake High School Track MVP…Received the Presidential Award…A four-time member of the Honor Roll…Spanish National Honor Society inductee.

Personal: Brother Jason Thompson is a sophomore playing football at Stanford University…Grandfather Robert (Bobby) Thompson played professional football from 1962-71 as a part of the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, and Montreal Alouettes…Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in economics.


 

Anabelle Biggs (Massachusetts - Jumps)

High School: Placed first in the long jump at the New England Interscholastic Track & Field Championship…Holds Phillips Academy record in 300m dash and long jump.

Personal: Older sister Ashley attends Salve Regina University…Twin brother Dylan will be attending Trinity College and will be a member of the track & field team…Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in financial economics.



Hudson Goldman (California - Sprints)

High School: Milken Community High School Track MVP Award winner…Holds the Milken High School record in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m.

Personal: Relatively new to the sport, was previously a soccer player.




Charlie Siebert (Transferred from Davidson after 2022-23 - Distance)

At Davidson: Named a member of the Atlantic-10 Conference Cross Country All-Rookie Team…Davidson record holder in indoor 5000m and outdoor 5000m & 10000m…2023 East Preliminary Round qualifier in the 10000m…2021-22 & 2022-23 Atlantic-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Personal: Mother is Melissa Siebert who ran for Bucknell Univeristy, father is Charlie Siebert…Twin sister attends American University…Enrolled in Columbia College and intends to major in financial economics.




Quentin Ryan (Pennsylvania - Distance)

High School: Pennsylvania Indoor DMR Champion in 2023…Pennsylvania state finalist in cross country, mile run, DMR, 1600m, and 4x800m…Named Most Outstanding Runner and 2x Most Outstanding Distance Runner at Haverford High School…National Merit Commended Scholar…AP Scholar…Presidents Award for Academic Excellence.

Personal: Father is John Ryan, mother is Stacy Ryan…Brother Jack graduated Pitt in 2017, sister Sofia was a member of the Drexel rowing team and graduated in 2020, sister Kate graduated Drexel in 2022, and brother Chris is currently attending Pitt…Enrolled in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences…Intends to major in chemical engineering.




Grace Carr (Rhode Island - Middle Distance)

High School: Two-time Rhode Island State Champion at Cumberland high School in Cumberland, RI….Six individual school records and two relay school records (4x800 and 4x400)...Track & field captain as a junior and senior and cross country captain as a senior….National Honor Society…World Language Honor Society…Three-time class president…Academic All-State.

Personal: Father is Bob Carr, mother is Nicole Carr…Sister Mary Fay Carr attends UCLA, and brother Emmet Carr attends Cumberland High School…Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Financial Economics.



Zach Willen (Pennsylvania - Sprints)

High School: Ran the 100m and 200m at Methacton High School in Eagleville, Pennsylvania.

Personal: Father Douglas Willen ran track at Princeton University…Twin brother Nicholas Willen plays soccer at Harvard University…Cousin Seneca Willen is on the Columbia University Track & Field team…Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Neuroscience.

 

Armaan Thakker (California - Sprints)

High School: State Finalist, CCS/Section Champion and CCS Finalist at the Harker School in San Jose, CA…Co-Captain of varsity Track & Field and varsity football…Harvard Economics Challenge Top Eight…National Economics Challenge State Finalist…Four-time Honor Roll Student…National Merit Finalist…Presidential Volunteer Award.

Personal: Father is Dharmesh Thakker, mother is Sherry Shah, and sisters are Myra Thakker and Nathaly Piza…Enrolled in Columbia Engineering…Intends to major in Financial Engineering and Applied Math.

  

Caroline Jankowich (Rhode Island - Middle Distance)

High School: All-State, All-Class and All-Division athlete in the state of Rhode Island for both Track and Field and Cross Country at Classical High School, Providence, RI…New Balance Nationals All-American in the SMR in 2022…Team captain for Cross Country and Track & Field...Al Morrow Award recipient at Classical High School.

Personal: Father is Matthew Jankowich and mother is Colleen Kelly. Has a twin brother, Alex, who is attending Cornell University, and a younger sister, Catherin.Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Neuroscience and Behavior.




Emily McKenna (Pennsylvania - Multis)

High School: Female Scholar-Athlete award winner at Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, PA…Female Inter-Academic Conference Track MVP…Three-year first-team All-Conference Indoor Adidas All-American in pentathlon…AAU All-American in high jump, long jump, and hurdles.

Personal: Father Kevin was on the crew tean at Georgetown Univeristy, mother Christy was on the track and field team at Dartmouth College and older brother Owen was on the fencing team at New York University…Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Neuroscience.

 

Finneas Colescott (Montana - Distance)

High School: Seven-time cross country and track letter winner, three-time cross country All-State, seven-time outdoor track and field All-State, cross country state runner-up in 2021 and team cross country State Champion in 2021 at Hellgate High School in Missoula, Montana.

Personal: Brother, Miles, is on the cross country and track and field team at Haverford College…Enrolled in Columba College…Intends to major in Computer Science.


 

Katherine Price (United Kingdom - Distance)

High School: Two-time London Schools 1500m Champion at Godolphin and Latymer in London, England. Also won the Westminter Mile…Awarded the Harvard Book Prize,

Personal: Father is Nicholas Price, mother is Michelle Price, and Sophie Price attends Yale University…Has a cavapoo…South African and Australian…Plays netball…Enrolled in Columbia College…Major is undecided, but considering Sustainable Development.

 

Ben Bergey (Georgia - Distance)

High School: Two-time State Champion in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m at South Forsyth High School, Cumming, GA…Awarded eight varsity letters…School record holder in the 4x800, 4x1600, 5k, 800m, 1600m, 3200m.

Personal: Father is Dave Bergey, mother is Denise Bergey, brother Blaine Bergey is a wrestler at Princeton and sister Millie Bergey ran at University of Georgia…Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Financial Economics.

 

Marc Dabby (Florida - Middle Distance)

High School: Second fastest 800m runner in school history at Christopher Columbus High School, Miami, Florida…Two-time Track and Field Team State Runner Up…Cross Country Team State Runner Up…Presidential Education Award Winner.

Personal: Four sport athlete, competing in varsity swimming, tennis, cross country and track and field..Certified Lifeguard…Enjoys working out, watching movies and going to the beach…Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Economics.

 

Sydney Loder (Virginia - Sprints & Hurdles)

High School: State champion in volleyball, team indoor and outdoor events, the 300, the high jump, the 100-meter hurdles,the 300-meter hurdles and the 55-meter hurdles, and relays at Glenvar High School in Salem, Virginia…State record holder in the 300-meter with a time of 41.10…Valedictorian…Graduated with Honors from Glenvar HIgh School…Graduated with honors from Burton Center for Arts and Technology.

Personal: Track and Field athletes for 12 years…Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Political Science and International Affairs.

 

Nicholas Hayden (Virginia - Middle Distance)

High School: Won two state titles, one as a junior in outdoor track in the 800 meters, and another in the 1000 meters during indoor track as a senior at Millbrook High School, Winchester Virginia…800m personal best is 1:52.82…1000m personal best is 2:26.76…1600m personal best is 4:17.30. 3200m personal best is 9:27.44…​​Honor Roll all four years of high school.

Personal: Father is William Hayden, mother is Kathleen Diegnan, and has younger brother, Ryan….Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Mathematics.
 

 

Caroline Schoen (Illinois - Distance)

High School: Personal Bests of 4:59.61 in the 1600m, 10:49.26 in the 3200m, 17:01.70 in three mile cross country race….Two time South West Suburban Conference athlete of the Year in Cross Country at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, IL…State finalist in the 3200m, Seven-time state qualifier, 2023 Jan Nolting Female Athlete of Year in 2023…Holds 7 high school school records…In the top 1% of high school class, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, International Baccalaureate student, High Honor Roll.

Personal: Daughter to Scott and Erin Schoen…Loves cooking and trying new recipes that are not only fun to make but also nutritious and allow me to fuel for my training…Enrolled in Columbia College…Intends to major in Business Management.

 

Adam Jaros (Czech Republic - Decathlete)

High School: Was given the CPE, Director's Award for notable academics at Nový PORG in Prague.

Personal: Track and Field youth coach and referee in the Czech Republic…Enrolled in Columbia School of Engineering…Intends to major in Biomdedical Engingeering.

 

Parker Kim (New York - Throws)

High School: Three-time All-American at Syosset High School in Syosset, NY…County Champion and Two-Time All-State in the Weight Throw…National Honor Society…Senior Class President.

Personal: Triplet…Hobbiles include watching TV shows and movies…Favorite football teams is the New York Giants…Enrolled in Columbia College…Currently Undecided.

  

Athena Peleties (Cyprus - High Jump)

High School: Attended the English School in Nicosia, Cyprus...Placed third in the high jump and qualified for the Pan-Cyprians competition.

Personal: International Student...Enrolled in Columbia College.


 

Tyler Tubman (Massachusetts - Distance)

High School: Athlete of the Year Award at Newton North High School in Newton, Massachusetts...Massachusetts State Champion in the mile, 4x4, 2x 4x8, 2x SMR and multiple team State Titles…School records in 4x8 and SMR. 4:14 mile PR, 1:54 800m…12 total varsity letters (four in cross country and eight total for track (indoor and outdoor))...Third in the country in the SMR while being last leg of the relay at New Balance Nationals…Nine-time Conference All-Star…Four-time All-Scholastic for the Boston Globe and Boston Herald…Engineering Certificate.

Personal: Mom, Macy. Dad, Andrew and Brother, Jacob. Enrolled in Columbia College…Plans to major in Economics and Finance.

 

Clayton Boyce (Transferred from North Texas after 2022-23 - Sprints)

North Texas: Owns personal bests of 21.76 in the 200m and 48.42 in the 400m in his time prior to Columbia

High School: 400m personal best is 48.03, a school record at Midlothian High School, Midlothian, TX…200m personal best is a 21.41.

Personal: Father played collegiate football and my mother ran track in high school…Youngest of four (two brothers and one sister)...Brothers played collegiate tennis and football…Sister was a multi sport athlete in high school…Enrolled in Columbia College…Plans on majoring in Statistics and Computer Science.



Tyler Yen (New Jersey - Long Jumps)

High School: Three-time school MVP, three-time Metrowest and Bay State League All-Star, and Best Senior Athlete Award at Wellesley High School in Wellesley, N.J…National Honor Society, and Foreign Language National Honor Society.

Personal: Brother Joshua Yen plays football at Pomona College.…Enrolled at Columbia College…Plans on majoring Finance.

 

Norina Khanzada (New Jersey - High Jump)

High School: First Team all North Jersey in 2023 in high jump, First Team All Bergen County 5 times in high jump at Tenafly High School in Tenafly, N.J.…Eighth at Indoor Nike Nationals 2023, Eighth at Outdoor New Balance Nationals 2023 with a personal best of 5'7…School record holder in high jump, long jump, and triple jump…Highest Honor for Academic Achievements Award all four years.

Personal: Will enroll in Barnard College…Undecided, but interested in Economics.

FOLLOWING THE LIONS: Stay up to date on all things Columbia track & field/cross country by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsXCTF), Instagram (@culionsxctf), and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).