Morehead, Ky. — A long sprinter, a middle distance runner and a distance specialist make up the three recruits Morehead State cross country and track and field coach Clay Dixon has signed for the early period.

Emily Lowe of Male High School is expected to primarily be a track and field athlete, although she did qualify for the recent state championship in cross country where she finished 188th in 23:52.46. As a junior, the Louisville, Ky., native won the regional title in the discus and was a member of the victorious 4x400-meter relay team. She also was part of the second-place 4x800-meter relay squad and was third Individually in the 400-meter dash for the regional runner-up Bulldogs with Lowe accounting for 20.5 of the team's points.

At the state meet, she finished third in the 400m in 58.49, second with the 4x400m relay, 11th with the 4x800m relay and 22nd in the discus (86'09"). Male was sixth in the final team standings. As a freshman, the multi-skilled athlete was eighth at the state in discus (105'09") and 13th in the long jump (15'03.50").

Dixon also sees potential in her as an 800-meter runner, but also a top performer on the team in the 400m and a key cog in the 4x400m relay.

"She'll make an immediate impact in the long sprints … and is in a good position to maybe make it Ito finals in the 400m in the Ohio Valley Conference (Championship). She should also be able to score some points for us at the OVC meet," Dixon said. "With her, the middle distance group should have a really good 4x400m team. She's really excited to come here and we're really excited to have her."

Abby Taylor is from Lebanon, Ohio, and Lebanon High School, where she owns the 17th-fastest time in LHS history in the 5K at 19:34.6, which she set on Oct. 2. Earlier this fall, she placed 168th in the Ohio State Division I Cross Country Championship with a 5K time of 21:01.3. As a junior, she was 119th at the state meet in 20:22.6.

At the 2021 Eastern Cincinnati Conference Track and Field Championship, Taylor placed seventh in the 3200-meter run (11:31.87), 11th in the 1600-meter run (5:21.50) and 23rd in the 800m (2:38.00). Her oh.milesplit.com page lists her outdoor 'pr's as 18.85 in the 100-meter hurdles, 52.82 in the 300-meter hurdles and 7:42.10 in the 200-meter steeplechase. Indoors oh.milesplit.com credits her with a 2:34.49 in the 800m, a 5:27.49 in the 1600m and a 5:51.08 in the mile.

Dixon sees her as a big-time recruit and projects her as an immediate contributor, especially in cross country.

"She'll make a big impact in our cross country program and on the track be good in the 5K or 3000m steeple, and possibly go out and score (points) for us in the OVCs," he said. "I anticipate her being in our top seven (cross country runners) next season."

Julia Douglas is from Bulverde, Texas, and Smithson Valley High School, but originally hails from Lexington, Ky. As a junior, she finished 108th at the Texas 6A State Cross Country Championship with a time of 21:07.28. She has 'pr's of 19:29 (5K cross country), 5:42 (1600m track) and 12:23 (3200m track).

Douglas has helped SVHS cross country advance to both the regional (2018-21) and state (2018-20) meets throughout her career. This fall, the Lady Rangers placed fifth in regional competition. In 2020, she notched a top-15 finish at the district championship with the team advancing into the regional, where it placed second, and then the state, where it claimed ninth. She was a captain for Smithson Valley's 2021 cross country squad and is one again for the school in the upcoming track and field season.

Dixon envisions her as primarily a distance runner, but believes she could compete in any event between 1500 meters and 5000 meters.

"Her family is originally from Lexington and she spent her first few years growing up there. She really loves Kentucky," Dixon said. "She's always wanted to come back to Kentucky. It felt like it was home. She's really excited to come back to this area and feels like it's home when she's here."

Morehead State recently completed its cross country campaign and will open the indoor track and field season on Dec. 2 at Marshall.