GUNNISON, Colo. - Western State Colorado University track and field and cross country programs added 12 individuals from five different states Tuesday morning. The teams add seven women, including one junior college transfer at semester. The five remaining athletes are men, all of which are distance runners, and one of which will transfer at semester.

The women recruits are Lovina Akauola of Vallejo, Calif., Tessa Anderson of Lafayette, Colo., Kenzie Henderson of Eckert, Colo., Emily Smith of Scottsdale, Ariz., Tianna Terrell of Colorado Springs, Colo., Elle Walton of Beaverton, Oreg., and Janine Taurchini of Centennial, Colo.

For the men, the recruits are Travis Cetti of Palmdale, Calif., Marc Marcano of Reseda, Calif., Taylor Stack of Salida, Colo., Nicholas Turco of Durango, Colo., and Hunter Streff of Madison, S.D.

Akauola, a thrower from Sacramento City College, will join the Mountaineers in the spring. She boasts personal best of 47-feet, 1 - inches in the shot put, 141-1 feet in the discus and 137-9 feet in the hammer throw. Akauola was the 2015 California State Community College Champion in the discus and the shot put.

"We are so excited to have Lovina join us," said head track coach Chris Bradford. "She has had great success at Sacramento City College and we look for her to make an immediate impact at Western State this spring."

The Mountaineers will add one more thrower to the women's squad in the fall of 2016 with Tessa Anderson. Anderson is a three-time state finalist for Peak to Peak Charter School. She placed sixth at the Colorado State Championships in the shot put in 2014, then returned with a ninth place in the discus and third place in shot put in 2015.

"Tessa is such a great fit for Western State and our program, Coach Dan Haakenson is thrilled to work with her and help her improve," said Bradford.

Kenzie Henderson, a state champion high jumper from Cedaredge High School, joins the Mountaineers rich tradition of female high jumpers. Henderson has a personal best of 5-2 in the high jump. She placed fifth at the state meet her sophomore season, and won the 2A championship last season. She also was the state-runner up in the long jump and the 4x200 meter relay last season.

"We have been watching Kenzie develop for a few years and really believe she can becoming something special at Western State," said Bradford.

The final track athlete is Tianna Terrell, a hurdler from Rampart High School. Terrell placed seventh in 2014 in the 5A 300 meter hurdle event at the state meet, and returned with a third place finish in 2015. Terrell boasts a personal-best time of 43.9 in the 300 hurdles. She has also marked a 400 meter hurdle time of 1:04.44, a time that would have qualified her for finals in the RMAC Championships last season.

"Tianna is one of the top hurdlers in Colorado and we are thrilled that she is coming to Western State," said Bradford. "Coach Grasmick is very excited to work with her and help her become a top level 400 hurdler."

Emily Smith, a distance runner from Desert Vista High School, looks to compete with the cross country leaders and add amazing depth to the Mountaineer squad. Smith has a personal record 5K time of 18:34.8, and has recorded sub-12 minutes two miles and a 5:33.57 1600 meter.

"Emily comes from a strong high school program," said head cross country coach Jennifer Michel. "She is a well-rounded athlete who will bring a great team attitude to our women's program."

Janine Taurchini, a distance runner for Eaglescrest High School, will add depth at the cross country level. She has a personal best of 18:39 in the 5K, and has run 5:35.32 in the 1600. Taurchini placed 16^th in the 5A XC State Meet this year.

"Janine is on the upswing as a very competitive runner in Colorado," said Michel. "We look forward to having her join us and contributing to our program."

The final female recruit is a two-sport recruit for the Mountaineers. Elle Walton of Southridge High School looks to combined running and swimming for Western State. She has a 1500 meter time of 5:18.2 and a 5K time of 20:13.

"Elle is a multi-sport athlete who looks to combine NCAA swimming and XC/Track," said Michel. "She is a good student-athlete who will be a good contributor to Western State."

On the men's side, Marc Marcano is the lone mid-distance runner of the bunch. Marcano comes from Glendale Community College in Reseda, California where he ran the 800 and 1500. He has an 800 personal record time of 1:57.66 and a 1500 time of 3:58.35.

"Marc comes from a strong junior college program and comes highly recommended after a good start to his career," said Michel. "We are excited to have him in the crimson and slate."

The final California recruit of the class is Travis Cetti from Quartz Hill High School. Cetti has a 5K personal best of 16:04.02. He has also broken ten minutes in the 3200 (9:38.99) and has a 4:31.32 1600 meter mark.

"Travis is a very good student and has great potential to progress at the next level," said Michel. "We look forward to having him join us as he has a great attitude and work ethic and will be great Mountaineer."

The next distance runner for the Mountaineers is Salida High School runner Taylor Stack. Stack has placed second at the 3A State Cross Country meet for three straight years and has a 5K time of 15:31. He has also placed seventh and ninth in the 3200 at the state meet and has a fifth place finish in the 1600 last year.

"Taylor is one of the top distance runners in Colorado and he embodies what we want academically and athletically our program," said Michel. "Taylor has a bright future."

Nicholas Turco from Durango High School is the final Colorado distance recruit. Turco placed 14^th at the 4A State Cross Country meet with a sub-16 minute (15:48.84) 5K time.

"Nick comes from a very strong high school program where he helped his team win the team title," said Michel. "He is a key team runner that we will count on in the future."

The final recruit is Hunter Streff of Madison High School. Streff placed sixth in the 1600 at the 2015 South Dakota State Class A meet. He has run 4:33 in the 1600 and 16:22.88 in the 5K.

"Hunter has big potential once he is able to stay healthy," said Michel. "He is a tremendous student that will bring a strong work ethic to our program"

Western State cross country competes this weekend in the NCAA DII National Championship in Joplin, Missouri. The track and field program is less than a month out from its first competition of the season.