NATCHITOCHES -- Alexandria Senior High School All-State standout Karensa Ellis and New Orleans-Archbishop Shaw's Andrew "Kyle" Lessig, third in the Class 5A boys cross country state championships last fall, have signed to run collegiate cross country and track at Northwestern State.
NSU cross country coach Haley Blount announced the addition of Ellis and Lessig, padding a recruiting class that began last week on National Signing Day. Ellis becomes the third addition to the Lady Demon track and field roster, joining Baton Rouge-Saint Joseph's Academy distance star Allison Fontenot and Natchitoches Central sprinter Constance Seibles.
Kyle Lessig stands on the medal platform last November
Ellis was the All-Cenla Cross Country MVP and made the All-State Cross Country Team last fall. She ran second in Class 4A in the 2008 state cross country meet hosted by Northwestern, running a 19:01 time at the Walter Ledet Track Complex.
The ASH standout tripled in the state outdoor track meet last year, qualifying in the 800, 1600, and 3200 meters. She was second at the state meet in the 1600 (5:17.34) and 3200 (12:21.17) last year, and took fifth in the 800.
"Karensa is one of the most athletic distance runners I have come across in a long time. She can do it all, and she won¹t let anyone tell her she can't," said Blount. "Becoming a good distance runner is never easy, and not always fun, but Karensa is workhorse, and seems determined to be successful. She runs with her heart, not with her legs. She will push herself beyond limitations, and that¹s what it takes to be a good distance runner."
"In our first visit, she told me that her goal was to make it to the Olympic Trials in the mile [during her senior year of college], and when she said it, I know she actually believed she can," said Blount, who was on the USA Track and Field Association staff working at the 2008 USA Olympic Trials.
"It's not just some lofty goal. I believe she has the talent, will power, and guts to make it happen. We are absolutely thrilled to add her to our squad for next year, and are expecting great things from her as a freshman."
Ellis has been a repeat choice as the outstanding performer on the All-Cenla Cross Country Team selected annually by the Alexandria Town Talk newspaper, as well as making the All-Cenla Team in track and field. She was recently named honorable mention all-district in basketball.
"Karensa is also an outstanding student and a standout basketball player for ASH," said Blount. "She's had good coaching and brings the total package to our program."
Karensa Ellis
Her track coach at ASH, Mike Crenshaw, expects her to make dramatic improvements in her times at Northwestern.
"Right now, most of her races aren't even close until we get to the regional meet and state," he said. "She's basically racing against herself. I think the tougher competition will really help her."
Lessig was the third-place finisher at the 2008 Class 5A boys cross country race last November at NSU and owns a 16:00 personal best for three miles.
"Kyle is a very smart student-athlete, with a great head on his shoulders," said Blount. "He loves this sport, and is very 'track-minded'.
"With guys, it¹s a little different, because often they are still growing and maturing through their senior year of high school and even through their first year or two of college. This may be the case with Kyle, and we¹re lucky to have signed him this early," she said. "I¹ve watched him grow tremendously from last year, and we believe there is a lot of untapped talent in this kid. I can¹t wait to watch him grow, both as a runner and as an intelligent young man."