GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head cross country/track and field coach Robert Gary announced today that Colton Kempney and Luke Taylor will join the Paladin team in 2022-23. The Paladin recruiting class is again ranked among the top classes nationally.
"We are very excited about the signing of Colton and Luke," said Gary, who is entering his eleventh season at the helm of the Furman program. "Both fit in very well during their visits and impressed our staff throughout the process. Each of these student-athletes stuck out to us in the recruiting process because they prioritized an elite academic experience coupled with a desire to join a distance program that has very high goals in cross country and track. These young men are developing and racing at their best right now, and we are excited to welcome that momentum to Greenville this fall."
Kempney and Taylor join Emma Jones, Jenna Mulhern, Camryn Wennersten, and Carly Wilkes, who signed with the Paladins in the fall of 2021.
Colton Kempney • Beaver River High School • Castorland, New York
Personal Bests: 1,600m - 4:16, 3,200m - 8:56, 3,000m Steeplechase 9:20, XC 5K - 15:41
Accolades: 2021 NYSPHSAA Class D State Champion for cross country, 2019 Nike Cross Nationals individual qualifier, finished third in the 3,200m at NYSPHSAA Indoor State Championships, placed second at NYSPHSAA Cross Country State Championships in both 2018 and 2019
Why Kempney chose Furman: "I chose Furman because of the winning culture, team, coaches, and atmosphere. As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I knew Furman was the place for me."
Luke Taylor • Patrick Henry High School • Rockville, Virginia
Personal Bests: 800m - 1:55, 1,600m - 4:16, 3,200m - 9:07, 5,000m - 15:17
Accolades: 2021 Virginia indoor state champion in the 3,200m, 2021 Virginia state runner-up in cross country, four-time qualifier for Nike Indoor and Outdoor Nationals
Why Taylor chose Furman: "I chose Furman because of its team culture. After meeting with the coaches and athletes, I really understood that everyone was on the same page and that everyone wanted to be successful at the highest level of collegiate athletics, and I wanted to be a part of that."
