June 12, 2009

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis track and field head coach Jon Bell announced today that Kalie Kirk (Monument, Colo./Lewis-Palmer) and Megan Nigbur (Muskego, Wis./Catholic Memorial) have decided to attend Saint Louis University and run for the Billikens. The duo will begin their four years of eligibility during the 2009-10 academic year.

Kirk specializes in hurdles and will also compete in the long jump. She is the Colorado Class 4 state champion in the 300-meter hurdles after posting a personal-best time of 44.63 at the state meet May 16. In addition, she drew runner-up honors in the 100-meter hurdles, finishing with a time of 14.49. Kirk's personal-best mark in the long jump is 18-1.5, a distance that betters SLU's outdoor school record in the event.

"Kalie is going to make a tremendous impact on our program," Bell said. "Kalie and Michaela Jones will provide us with a great one-two punch in the 400-meter hurdles. In the 100-meter hurdles, we will also have a great combination with Kalie and Tiffany Alexander. Kalie will also team with Brittney Cloudy to add to the depth in the long jump. Kalie is such a diverse athlete that she will play a large role in the success of our program in the coming years."

Nigbur will add depth to the sprinting corps and will be a key contributor to the Billikens' relays. At the 2009 Wisconsin state meet, she ran the leadoff leg on the 4x800 relay that finished second and the 4x400 relay that placed fourth. She also ran the opening leg on her school's state-record holding 4x100 relay squad in 2006. Nigbur's personal-best times are 7.33 in the 55 meters, 12.54 in the 100 meters and 26.11 in the 200 meters.

"The addition of Megan to the program helps solidify our sprint group," Bell said. "She has been the lead leg on numerous relays in high school, and that is a role I envision her continuing during her time at SLU. Indoors, she will be able to cover the 60-meter dash as we continue to fill all the events."