Krista Monaghan Signs National Letter-of-Intent with ENMU Women's Cross Country Team

PORTALES, N.M. — Eastern New Mexico University head cross country coach Joel McMullen has announced the signing of Krista Monaghan, from Gallup High School in Gallup, N.M., to a National Letter-of-Intent to run for the Zias next season. Monaghan will be a freshman during the 2005-06 academic year. She is the daughter of Ed Monaghan and Tammy Hall, and is the stepdaughter of Jennifer Monaghan of Gallup, N.M.

McMullen and his assistant coach, Matthew Gordillo, have recruited to rebuild and add depth to both the men’s and women’s cross country teams for the upcoming season, focusing primarily on the tremendous amount of talented runners throughout New Mexico. The Zia cross country squad finished ninth in the Lone Star Conference in 2004.

Monaghan is strong both academically and athletically. She is in the top five percent of her high school graduating class and has received numerous accolades for her academic and athletic achievements. Her honors include: Most Inspirational Runner Award, 2002-2004; All-State Team, 2002-2003; All-District Team, 2002-2003; Navajo Times All-Star Harrier Team, 2002; All-District All-Academic Team, 2002-2004; Top 10 at the Kenny Footlocker race, 2002, 2004; “Reach for the Stars” Scholar; Member of Gallup’s New Mexico State Champion cross country teams.

“Signing Krista to our cross country program is huge for this team,” McMullen commented. “She was one of the top eight runners in Class 5A this past fall, so not only does she have the athletic ability to help this team contend for a conference championship, but she will also be one of this conference’s top scholar-athletes.

“Her family is extremely supportive and very excited to see her excel in the classroom and against NCAA competition,” McMullen noted. “I cannot say enough about how much she means to this program. Her impact upon the Zia cross country program will be profound and immediate. She is a product of arguably one of the most outstanding cross country programs in New Mexico (Gallup High School), and she will infuse a winning and competitive attitude here that will be extremely valuable.”

Krista Monaghan
Gallup, New Mexico
Gallup HS