SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga women's cross country and track head coach Jake Stewart announced the signing of Paxton DePoe, Emily Phelps and Lilly Visser Tuesday.
 
"We are really excited about this trio of student-athletes signing with Gonzaga," Stewart said. "To get a late start on our recruiting this fall and to sign a group of this caliber is big for our program. These three athletes, along with Brittney Hansen who signed in November, can all come in, work hard, be great teammates and can be impactful on our program right away."
 
Paxton DePoe
Port Orchard, Wash. | South Kitsap High School 
DePoe will join the Zags as a freshman in 2019. The Port Orchard, Wash., native has excelled at South Kitsap High School. DePoe's personal best 800-meter time is 2:15.19, and her 1,600-meter PR is 5:03.51.
 
"From the beginning, Paxton wanted to be at Gonzaga," Stewart said. "As we build this program, we felt that was very important. Paxton adds a different dynamic to the group, she can drop down and run some really good 800s and miles but runs really solid cross country as shown with her All-State performance this fall. Paxton is coming from a program at South Kitsap that has been historically one of the best in the State, she'll bring an excitement to the group about building this team, working hard and enjoying the sport."
 
 
Emily Phelps
Vancouver, Wash. | Fort Vancouver High School 
Phelps is wrapping up a stellar high school career in Vancouver, Wash. She placed fourth at the 2018 WIAA Class 3A state championships in the 3,200 meters. Her 3,200-meter personal record is 10:54.39. She has a 5:05.32 1,600-meter time as well.
 
"We're really excited to bring Emily into our program," Stewart said. "She comes to Gonzaga having accomplished so much at Fort Vancouver High School, both individually and as a part of the team, qualifying for the state championships as a team for the first time in the school's history this fall. Emily could have gone to most schools in the Northwest, that's her level of talent, but her coming to Gonzaga will be impactful for our team's future. She's got great energy, works hard and will be an awesome Zag."  
 
 
Lilly Visser
Shoreline, Wash. | Shorecrest High School 
Visser will also be a freshman at Gonzaga next fall, after completing her high school in Shoreline, Wash. She placed sixth in the 2018 WIAA Class 3A Cross Country Championships. She has personal records of 5:02.86 in the 1,600 meters and 11:02.83 in the 3,200 meters.
 
"Lilly exemplifies everything we want in our student-athletes at Gonzaga University," Stewart said. "She's been incredibly steady and consistent in her state championship performances, putting herself amongst the best in Washington in the class of 2019; and she's great in the classroom carrying a 3.9 GPA. Lilly can come into our program right away and help the Zags progress. We feel strongly that Lilly's best running is in front of her."