Elgin, Ill. - Building up the program for a championship, head coach Rich Weinhandl has signed his first recruit as the foundation of his program in DeKalb's (IL) Matt DeBall.  JU will start cross country in the fall of 2008.

"We are truly excited to have Matt DeBall as the first signee in Judson's return to cross country competition.  Matt is a part of history in the return of cross country competition to Judson.  I am looking forward to coaching and mentoring Matt as he grows athletically and academically at Judson," says Weinhandl.

DeBall is a currently a senior at DeKalb High School and was one of the top runners on the team this past fall.  In his first season of competition in cross country, he was the top runner at the Sterling Invitational.  He also helped DHS to meet championships at the Byron Invitational, East Peoria Invitational, and the Rockford Guilford Regional Tournament.  He was coached by Mike Wolf.

Judson is starting both men's and women's cross country back up after a 12 year absence.  The program was cut after the 1996 season for both programs. The men's team produced two Judson Athletes of the Year in Dan Westlund (1982) and Mike O'Brien (1996). Westlund was voted into the Judson Hall of Fame in 2006 for his cross country accolades. He was a four-time all-NIIC (Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference) runner and team MVP. He was also a two-time NCCAA (National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association) All-American, NAIA National Qualifier, and all-NAIA District team member. The men's team also won three straight NIIC Championships in 1993, 1994, and 1995 along with being the NAIA District Champions in 1993.