Nov. 22, 2004

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - UNLV women's cross country and track and field program has received a signed national letter of intent from Ashley Lif, who will join the program next fall, head coach Barbara Ferrell-Edmonson announced Monday.

Lif, who is from Cheyenne, Wyo., attended Cheyenne East High School where she competed in both cross country and track and field. She was a four-time letterwinner in cross country as well as the team's MVP four times. Lif was an all-conference runner four consecutive seasons and was the first female distance runner from East High School to win four consecutive all-conference titles.

"Ashley is going to be a big asset to the team," said cross country and distance coach Pablo Sanchez. "She is a very versatile athlete who has not tapped her potential and I am looking forward to working with her."

Also a standout in track and field, Lif has earned all-state recognition three times in indoor track (twice in the 1,600 meters and once in the 800 meters) and once in outdoor track (3,200 meter relay). She has earned four varsity letters in track and is a two-time finalist in the 1,600 meters at the Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho.

Lif was also a goalkeeper on Cheyenne's soccer team as a freshman and sophomore.

Ashley is the daughter of Denise Lif and she has one sister, Heather. Ashley plans on majoring in kinesiology at UNLV.