Nov. 21, 2005

Illinois head coach Karen Harvey announced the addition of Naperville, Ill. native Shannon Phelan to the roster for the 2006 cross country season. Phelan, the number one recruit in the state of Illinois, signed a national letter of intent to run for the Illini Wednesday.

"Shannon is a mature and intelligent person and runner," said Harvey. "She is not only talented and driven, but she is a leader. She knows what it takes to be successful. Her high school coach, Dan Iverson, is one of the best women's high school coaches in the nation. Knowing she has been developed and mentored by him makes me even more pleased she is coming to Illinois. I expect Shannon to step right into our top five next year in cross country and help us to continue to improve our talent. Her future on the track is also bright and we will look to her to be a point scorer in the 5,000m at Big Tens."

As the captain of Naperville North cross country squad, Phelan took second in the Class AA Illinois High School Cross Country Championships on November 5. Her finish led her team to its second consecutive state title. Her time of 17:06 at the state meet was one of the fastest times ever run on that course.

Also a very successful track athlete, Phelan has recorded personal bests in the 1,600m at 4:59 and in the 800m at 2:16.

"Everything about Illinois just seems to fit for me. It's one of the best programs in the country and their academic reputation is amazing. After meeting the girls, I can see myself being teammates with them. I think Coach Harvey and my high school coach, Dan Iverson, think a lot alike and I'm looking forward to working with her," Phelan said.

Shannon's parents are Mary and Kevin Phelan. She has one younger brother and intends to major in biology upon her arrival to Champaign in the fall of 2006.