MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's men's and women's cross country head coach Marty Kinsey, would like to announce the addition of Andrew Eckberg from Marquette and Torrey Pines High School in San Diego. Eckberg will join the Gaels as a redshirt-freshman for the 2012 season.

"We are really excited to announce the addition of Andrew to our men's squad," said Kinsey.  "Andrew is a great person and athlete. He had quite a successful high school career under coach Brent Thorne, competing at the 2010 State meet against current Gaels Rhett Baynes and Cormac McCullaugh. Because he didn't compete this past season, he'll be able to run as a redshirt freshman for us next fall. We'll have an extra semester for him to get to know the program and develop into the runner he has the potential to become."

Eckberg had a successful high school career running 9:36 for 3200m and 4:25 for 1600m on the track his junior year. During his senior campaign, he would help his team to a 9th place finish at the CIF State XC Championships and a 17th place finish at FootLocker XC Nationals. "I'm just really excited to join such a close group of guys and hope to do my part on the team and grow as a runner," said Eckberg.

The cross country team looks to continue building a solid tradition of success at Saint Mary's under Kinsey's tutelage. The Gaels improved a post at the WCC Championships this past season and cut six minutes off last year's performance at this past weekend's NCAA West Region Championship meet.