Division I track and field and cross country, coached by Pete Squires, the 1999 NEC Women’s Coach of the Year, has benefited from global recruiting. Squires has developed a winning program at FDU during his tenure and has managed to lure top-flight runners from Kenya and Ireland.

Kenyans James Bare, a sophomore from Kapsabet; Francis Kipkuna, a freshman from Kericho; and graduate student Steven Ondiecki, also from Kericho, are part of a great tradition of world-class Kenyan distance runners. All three came to FDU with international experience and have their sights set high. For example, Bare, a biology major, would like to become a neurosurgeon when his running career is completed.

Aidan Walsh, a sophomore from Dublin, Ireland, also came to FDU with significant international running experience. In fact, he competed against Kenyan James Karicui, who was the best in the world at cross country in 1995. The 1996 Irish National Champion in the 1,500 meters, Walsh also has two gold medals from the F.I.S.E.C. (International Sports Federation of Catholic Schools) games in Malta.

Ondieki, who previously ran for Mount St. Mary’s College, Maryland, before transferring to FDU, is the leader of the squad. He claimed individual titles in his first five races in the fall.

All of these runners are looking forward to helping the men’s team reach the heights that Squires’ women’s teams have. In 1999, the Teaneck-Hackensack women’s outdoor track and field team won the 1999 NEC Outdoor Track and Field championship, completing a season sweep after winning the NEC Indoors earlier in the year.

FDU Basketball | FDU Soccer | FDU Tennis | Back to “Global Mix” | International Students at FDU

FDU Magazine Directory | Table of Contents | FDU Home Page | Alumni Home Page | Comments