News Photo by Jonny Zawacki Four new recruits sign their letters of intent to be apart of the Alpena Community College cross country program. Sitting, left to right: Andrew Grabiel, Isaac Cross, Evan LeTourneau and Dallin Toth. The four Lumberjacks were represented by family and ACC president Don McMaster (Back row, middle) and ACC cross country coach Mark Jacobs (far right).

On Monday, Alpena Community College cross country coach Mark Jacobs put the finishing touches on what appears to be another stellar class of student-athletes to join his program.

Andrew Grabiel, Isaac Cross, Evan LeTourneau and Dallin Toth all made it official, signing their letter of Intents to continue their athletic careers as Lumberjacks.

The four Alpena natives will continue to wear Alpena on their uniforms and all look to make an impact for a cross country program that continues to improve.

“I’m just absolutely thrilled to have these gentlemen. They are fantastic young men and everything I look for. They are great students and great athletes,” Jacobs said. “It is a very diverse group. This is my largest group of Alpena athletes since my first year and I’m really looking forward to seeing each and every one of these kids develop.”

The four latest Alpena commits join two other Alpena runners already on the ACC team to make it the largest roster of Alpena athletes since 2011. The team is made up five other runners, three of which are also from around the area.

Cross is a four-time state qualifier in cross country. Cross ran a 16:19 as a sophomore and junior which are the fastest high school times for an ACC cross country signee.

“I’m happy that I am going to be able to continuing running under coach Jacobs. I have had him as a coach since the seventh grade and we both know what to expect of each other,” Cross said. “I’m going to continue working hard throughout the summer months to prepare for the season and I’m looking forward to this opportunity.”

Toth may have his best times ahead of him as he seems to prefer the longer races. Toth performs better with longer races and could adjust well from the 5k at the high school level to an 8k at the collegiate level.

“It’s going to be another great two years running with good friends and an awesome coach,” Toth said. “I’ve known coach Jacobs for a long time and it’s going to be a great experience running and competing at the collegiate level and I’m definitely looking forward it.”

LeTourneau was a multi-sport athlete at Alpena and was a standout in every he sport he competed in. LeTourneau played soccer, football, hockey, golf and ran track.

“I’m excited to run and expand my sports career. I’m hoping I can continue the success that I had in high school at the next level,” LeTourneau said. “I’m just going to continue to put in work and hopefully the hard work will pay off. I’ve known coach Jacobs for a while and he knows I am going to work hard. I’m going to do whatever it takes to help this program and I’m looking forward to this new challenge.”

Grabiel is an interesting story. He is a first time runner and has never played an organized sport. Grabiel understands that running is different from any other sport because he has recently started running and gotten into better shape. His hard work has now landed him at Alpena.

“It’s a great honor to be able to run for a college. I’m glad I have the opportunity to do it locally and I am just going to continue working hard in hopes of improving,” Grabiel said. “I’m going to keep running hard like I have been and do whatever it takes to help propel the team and help this program continue to improve.”

With his team now complete, Jacobs is looking forward to the season as he has two out of his top five runners returning in the fall. The Lumberjacks have improved every year since Jacobs took over the program and the team has also earned academic All-American honors and Jacobs sees no reason why those trends won’t continue.

“Every year is going to get better, not just athletically, but academically too. We are going to be academic All-Americans for the third year in a row,” Jacobs said. “This is a unique group of individuals because if distance running was easy everyone would do it, just like academics, you have to focus. Athletically they are going to be the best group ever for ACC.”

Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.