University of Evansville cross country coach Don Walters has announced the addition of two more male runners to his 2009 roster, as Samuel Mires (Greenville, Ind./Floyd Central) and Nicholas Fimek (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) will both join the Purple Aces’ program this fall.

Mires was a three-time state qualifier in cross country at Floyd Central High School in southern Indiana, placing as high as 76th in the state in this past year’s state meet.  Mires also placed 19th overall at this past fall’s semi-state meet, while helping Floyd Central place 10th overall in Indiana.  He was a two-time all-sectional runner for the Highlanders, while also earning all-conference and all-region honors on the cross country course.  Mires also excelled on the track at Floyd Central, as he helped the Highlanders win four consecutive sectional titles, while earning all-conference honors in the 3,200-meter relay in 2007.

“Sam is someone who I expect to make a big impact on our program,” said Walters.  “He comes from a great running program at Floyd Central, and he is a very mature runner who can definitely handle the longer distances of college cross country.  Sam is someone who will also really fit in well at UE, both athletically and academically, as he is an excellent student.”

Fimek hails from a strong Lincoln-Way East program as well, as he was a part of a Griffins program which finished in the top 10 in Illinois in both 2007 and 2008 on the cross country course, while also finishing sixth in track in 2008.  Fimek earned a pair of letters in both cross country and track at Lincoln-Way East, while serving as the team captain for both teams this year in his senior season.  He also earned the cross country program’s “Coach’s Award” this past fall.

“Nick will be a great fit for our program as well,” said Walters.  “He has great leadership skills and comes from a tremendous running program at Lincoln-Way East.  He has a good build for a cross country runner, and I think that he will only get better as he gets stronger at the college level.”

Mires and Fimek will join Heritage Hills High School standout Cody Stein (Evanston, Ind.) as the newest members of the UE men’s cross country program this fall.  The trio will join a UE men’s cross country program which posted its best State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship team finish in UE’s 15 years in the league last fall.  All eight competitors from UE’s 2008 State Farm MVC Championship squad will return this fall, as the Purple Aces will return 16 letterwinners overall on the men’s side in 2009.