Colonels sign new distance runners

Nicholls head men’s cross country coach Scott Williamson announced Friday morning that Phillip Culotta, Joby Fryou, Brandon Kotzur and Ivan Vasquez have signed National Letters of Intent to run for the Colonels this fall.

Jacob Turnipseed will also join the cross country team next season.

The five runners join Brandon Loupe and Logan Milano who signed with Nicholls earlier in the year.

&#8220We are really looking forward to this year’s cross country team,” said Williamson.

&#8220We have a completely new team that will consist of seven freshman. I am sure it will take a little time to adjust from the high school distance (5K) to the college race (8K), but with some hard work this will be a great group of young men.”

Culotta, a native of Metairie, La., prepped at Rummel High School.

&#8220Phillip is an excellent local standout,” said Williamson. &#8220We look for him to be in the front of the pack for the Colonels this coming season.”

A Berwick, La.-native, Fryou comes to Nicholls from Berwick High School.

&#8220Joby has tremendous potential that will show once he goes through the college program training.”

Kotzur prepped at Foster High School in Fulshear, Texas.

&#8220Brandon is a very good runner who we look forward to seeing develop into a great college runner.”

A native of Angleton, Texas, Vasquez comes to Nicholls after running for Angleton High School.

&#8220Ivan is a good runner who we see making an immediate impact on our team, after a solid summer of training.”

Turnipseed, who will also play basketball for the Colonels next season, comes to Nicholls from Anacoco High School.

The Anacoco, La.-native was the Class A State Champion in the 800-meters last season for the Indians.