GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head men's cross country/track and field coach Robert Gary and head women's cross country/track and field coach Rita Gary announced today that 13 athletes will join the Paladin team in 2025-26. The Paladin recruiting class is again ranked among the top classes nationally.
"Each member of this signing class represents our commitment to developing high school athletes and creating real opportunity for young women to grow through sport," said Rita Gary, who recently led the Paladin women's team to its 13th-straight SoCon title. "I'm so proud to invest in women who want to grow, compete, and thrive together here at Furman. They share our values of national-level ambition, daily work, and the team-first mentality that is required to achieve it."
"Similar to last year, the men's program has gotten a class of sub-9/sub-410 guys excited about their development together," said Robert Gary, who led the Paladin men's team to its 13th-straight SoCon title earlier this month. "This is our third-straight class with some new depth, as well, which really sets us up for the future. Additionally, in the ever-changing NCAA landscape, we continue to point out the premium of getting better each year and continuing to be nationally competitive."
Women's Signees
Celia Schulte • Hilliard Davidson High School • Hilliard, Ohio
Personal Bests: 56.15/2:04/4:46/17:43
Accolades: Nike Indoor All-American – 800m, 2x Ohio State Champion (800m), Ohio State Record Holder (800m)
Calysta Garmer • Webb School of Knoxville • Knoxville, Tenn.
Personal Bests: 2:12/4:48/10:01/16:18
Accolades: NBN National Champion – 5K, NBN All-American, 3x Tennessee State Champion (1600m, 3200m), 2x Tennessee State Champion Cross Country (2024 + 2025)
Jazzlyn Garmer • Webb School of Knoxville • Knoxville, Tenn.
Personal Bests: 2:15/4:50/10:05/16:31
Accolades: 2 x NBN All-American (5K), 2x Tennessee State Champion (1600m/3200m), Footlocker National Qualifier
Olivia Ferraro • North Lincoln High School • Ironstation, N.C.
Personal Bests: 2:12/4:48/10:33/17:27
Accolades: 6x North Carolina Track State Champion (1K/1600m), North Carolina Cross Country State Champion (2025)
Georgy Helmers • E.E. Smith High School • Fort Bragg, N.C.
Personal Bests: 4:57/10:19/17:04
Accolades: 2x Adidas Track All-American (Mile/2 Mile), Adidas Track National Champion (2 Mile), 6x Georgia State Champion (XC/1600m/3200m), North Carolina State Champion (3200m), North Carolina State Champion Cross Country (2025)
Bridget Dunn • Tappan Zee High School • Tappan, N.Y.
Personal Bests: 2:13/4:59/6:47 2k Steeple/18:15
Accolades: 3x All-State Cross Country, 2025 New York State Runner-Up in 2K Steeple
Men's Signees
Cade Cresswell • Porter Ridge High School • Indian Trail, N.C.
Personal Bests: 1:51-800m, 4:08-1600m, 15:42 5K XC
Accolades: NCHSAA 4A 2025 1000m State Runner-up, NCHSAA 4A 800m Regional Champion, 2x Union County Champion (800m, 5K XC)
Connor Demmerle • Fort Mill High School • Fort Mill, S.C.
Personal Bests: 1:55-800m, 4:15-1600m, 15:55 5K XC
Accolades: 2025 All-State at South Carolina Cross Country State Championships; Team State Champions
Michael Ferguson • Nesbitt Discovery Academy • Weaverville, N.C.
Personal Bests: 1:54-800m, 4:08-1600m, 9:01-3200m, 15:02 5K XC
Accolades: 5A North Carolina Cross Country State Champion, 3A North Carolina 2x 3200m State Champion, 3A North Carolina 1600m State Champion
Chappell Martin • Greer Middle College Charter • Greenville, S.C.
Personal Bests: 4:16-1600m, 9:04-3200m, 15:01-5K XC
Accolades: 2024 SC #1 5k, 2025 3A South Carolina State 3200m Runner-Up
Michael McKnew • Cape Henry Collegiate School • Virginia Beach, Va.
Personal Bests: 1:53-800m, 4:15-1600m
Accolades: 2x VISAA 800m State Champion, VISAA 1600m State Champion, 4x TCIS Conference Record Holder
Evan Spreitzer • Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy • Melbourne, Fla.
Personal Bests: 4:10-1600m, 14:58-5K
Accolades: FHSAA 3200m State Champion, 1A 3200m State Record Holder, 3rd fastest time ever on 5K State Course (Apalachee Regional Park, FSU Course)
Lucas Tanner • DeForest High School • DeForest, Wis.
Personal Bests: 1:55.98-800m, 4:06-1600m, 9:07-3200m, 15:14 5K
Accolades: 2x First Team All-State Cross Country, 4x First Team All-Conference Badger Large Cross Country, 2025 Nike Cross Nationals Qualifier
