November 21, 2005

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech track and field program has announced the signing of Ashley Early to a National Letter of Intent for the 2006-07 year.

Early, a senior at Western Albemarle High School in Charlottesville, Va., is a four-time All-American pole vaulter. She is the all-time state record holder with her mark of 12 feet 6.25 inches set last season at the Virginia AA state track and field meet. Her state-record mark puts her as the No. 12 returning pole vaulter in the nation.

She is a three-time Virginia AA state champion and a five-time regional champion entering her senior season. In addition to her four All-American honors, she was the Indoor National Scholastic runner-up in 2005. Early was selected as the 2004 Virginia Athlete of the Year by Milestat.com and the Athlete of the Year by Women In Sports (WINS) in 2004 and 2005.

Early has attained several honors outside of athletics, including being selected as a student member of the County Council to represent area schools. Early also serves as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity Youth United in order to raise money for a house in her community. She is a member of the Salvation Army Youth Advisory Board where she plans fundraisers. Early has also been a class officer and council member of her high school all four years. This year, she has also been nominated for the prestigious Wendy's High School Heisman Award.

"Ashley is an incredible talent," Dave Cianelli, Director of Track and Field said. "She will quickly become an elite level collegiate pole vaulter. Coach Kevin Matheny at Western Albemarle has done an outstanding job with her development. Coach Bob Phillips (Virginia Tech's pole vault coach) will continue that development when she arrives here at Virginia Tech. From the first time I saw Ashley compete, I knew right away that she was something special. She is a perfect fit for our program and our university. Virginia Tech and our program are lucky to have landed a student-athlete of her caliber and character."

Early is the daughter of Jana Early of Crozet, Va., and picked Virginia Tech over North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina and James Madison.