DES MOINES, Iowa — The Drake women's cross country and track and field team has received commitments from six student-athletes to join a veteran squad for the 2013 season.

Cross country coach Dan Hostager, head track and field coach Natasha Kaiser-Brown and the rest of the staff strive to find the top individuals able to compete at a high level both in the classroom and in the athletics arena.

“We're thrilled about our middle and distance prospects coming into next year's cross country season,” Hostager said.

Hostager's squad welcomes the addition of four distance runners; Erica Bestul (Eastview, Minn.), Mariah Kauder (Cascade, Iowa), Samantha Nielsen (Roseville, Minn.) and Kaley McLawhorn (Frankfort, Ill.).

Hostager has nothing but praise for his new class and feels they complement the current team dynamic. Most importantly, each of the athletes has the drive and capacity to be successful in all facets of being a student-athlete.

“Our new student-athletes have had great success and possess a tremendous work ethic,” Hostager said. “They have the drive to succeed in athletics and in the classroom. All of these women are great students.”

Coach Kaiser-Brown is also very excited about the prospects of the new class. Kathryn Ambrose (Warrensburg, Mo.) will compete in the pole vault and Jessica Campbell (West Des Moines, Iowa) will add to a talent corps of sprinters.

“We are thrilled about this years prospects,” Kaiser-Brown said. “Jessica completes our sprinters corps and Kathryn will lead the vaulters in the coming years.”

Kathryn Ambrose (Warrensburg, Mo./Warrensburg)

• Events: Pole vault, 200 meters
• Awards: Won the 2013 Jayhawk Open with a vault of 11 feet … was second at the 2012 Missouri Class 3 State Championship with a vault of 10-6.00

 Erica Bestul (Eastview, Minn./Eastview)

• Events: Middle Distance
• Awards: Finished fifth in the 800 and 1600 meters at the 2012 Minnesota State Meet.

Jessica Campbell (West Des Moines, Iowa/Dowling Catholic)

• Events: Sprints
• Awards: Finished 16th in the 2012 Iowa State Meet in the 100 meters running a personal best of 13.09a. 4x100 meters relay team finished third at the 2012 Drake Relays in 49.50a.

 Mariah Kauder (Cascade, Iowa/Cascade)

• Events: Distance
• Awards:Won the Iowa 2A State Meet 1500 meters in 4:43.64 … was second at the 2012 2A Iowa State Meet in the 800 meters, 2:17.09, and the 3,000 meters, 10:17.00.

Samantha Nielsen (Roseville, Minn./Roseville)

• Events: Middle Distance
• Awards: Held the best time in Minnesota in the 800 meters of 2;11.11 in 2012 … finished second in the 800 meters at the Minnesota Class AA State Meet (2011,2012) … won the 2012 6AAA Sectional title in the mile in a time of 5:06.46.

Kaley McLawhorn (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East)

• Events: Distance
• Awards: Named All-Conference, All-Region and was a State Meet Qualifier to the 2012 IHSA Cross Country Championships