Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Track and Field	Women's Track and Field SIUE Athletics

June 23, 2006 Five Sign With SIUE Women's Track and Field         EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Coming off a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women's track and field team has signed five standouts for next season.         Coach Ben Beyers announced the signing of Juliet Alrich (Carpentersville), Precious Frazier (Alton), Lisa Brooks (Flossmoor), Ella Wayne (Decatur) and Kayla Brown (Petersburg) to national letters of intent.         Beyers said these signings will provide an immediate impact.         Alrich was the Class AA runner-up at 400 meters for Dundee Crown High School this spring. She also placed seventh at the state high school meet at 400 meters. Beyers said he is hoping Alrich's signing will keep SIUE among the nation's elite in the 4 X 400-meter relay. Her personal record of 55.89 would be among SIUE's best.         "Juliet will come in and be a major force for us right away. Adding her with some of the other girls we have already will continue to keep us amongst the best in the nation for years to come," said Beyers.         Frazier is an eight-time state qualifier from Alton High School. Her best times in the spring events include 12.4 at 100 meters and 25.1 at 200 meters.         "Precious is a student-athlete that we are very excited to have join us next year. She's got a big, big upside, and I think she's going to surprise some people," said Beyers.         Brooks is a multiple All-State runner from Homewood-Flossmoor and is the former teammate of SIUE's Deserea Brown, who earned Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year honors. Brooks' personal bests include 7.31 at 55 meters indoors and 12.5 at 100 meters outdoors.         "Lisa is an explosive athlete and will help us in the short sprints right away. That's an area where we felt we needed some help, and Lisa will come in right and be a threat in all of the shorter races," said Beyers.         SIUE Cross Country Coach Eileen McAllister said Wayne and Brown also will provide depth for the track and field team.         Wayne helped Decatur St. Theresa to the Class A state title in the 4 X 800-meter relay this spring. A state qualifier at 800 meters, Wayne and fellow recent signee Heather Hackel led their team to a third-place finish at the state cross country Class A meet.         "In track, Ella will concentrate on middle distance events. With her limited experience in the mile in high school, I'm excited to see what she can accomplish as a Cougar," said McAllister.         Brown led Petersburg-Porta High School to a second-place finish at the 2005 Class A cross country state meet and a state championship in 2004. As the team's No. 1 runner, Brown also placed sixth at 1,600 meters this past spring.         "Kayla had a tremendous end to her senior track season. At state, she bettered her best mile time by more than 20 seconds," said McAllister.         "With her big improvements at the state meet, we will try Kayla in several middle distance and distance events during the track season."         -siue cougars-