Andrus signs with Montana

University of Montana cross country and track and field coach Tom Raunig announced Wednesday that Brooke Andrus of Bigfork, a four-time state champion, has signed a national letter-of-intent and will begin competing for the Grizzlies in 2006-07.

Raunig's recruiting class is now up to 14 student-athletes, with eight from Montana and six from out of state.

Andrus has one Montana Class A state cross country championship (in 2004) to her credit and three Class A track titles, all of which she won as a junior last spring. Andrus swept the 800 meters (2:16.07), 1,600 meters (5:10.23) and 3,200 meters (11:35.23) at the 2005 Class A meet at Great Falls.

Andrus, who finished fourth at the state meet in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters as a sophomore, has the state's best 800-meter time this spring of 2:16.1. She currently ranks second in the 3,200 meters (11:14.6) and fifth in the 1,600 meters (5:14.3).

"Brooke has great versatility as a runner, having been a state champion in the 800 meters all the way to cross country," Raunig said. "We're excited about her ability to help us in not only cross country but in the track events. I feel her signing, along with Megan O'Reilly's, puts our women's cross country team on a national level."

O'Reilly is from Spokane.

Whitefish's Chris Hicks signed with Montana in November.