LA GRANDE, Ore. – Amanda Welch of La Grande, Ore. has signed a Cascade Conference Letter of Intent to run cross country and track at EOU for the 2015-16 school year, head coach Ben Welch announced today.

"I am very excited to have Amanda with us next year, not only because I will have the fairly rare opportunity to coach my own daughter in college, but because she brings a wide range of skills to the team," said Coach Welch.

Welch's personal best time for 5K race cross country is 19:19. She also runs the 1,500 and 3,000 meters on the track. Her personal best in the 1,500 meter run is 4:51.58 and in the 3,000 meter run it is 10:37.22.

"As a member of the La Grande HS team in both Cross Country and Track and Field, Amanda is a four time State qualifier in the Cross Country, finishing in the top ten at the State meet three times," Welch stated.  "She has also qualified for the State Track meet all three years of HS  in the 1500, 3000 and as a member of the 4 x 400 relay and has placed in all three at one time or another. That range should serve her well in college."

Welch also fits in with the EOU Track and Field/ Cross Country programs goal to keep the best of the local talent close to home.