Foot Locker Champion Commits to Arkansas

"We are very excited to announce that Solomon will be attending Arkansas in the fall," Bucknam said. "He adds great depth in cross country and in the distance events on the track. He has raced against some of the best high school runners in the country and has proven to be successful. Our 2009-10 freshman class is turning into a very well-rounded group of student-athletes and they will bring a lot to our program."

A native of Ethiopia and a resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, Haile joins the Razorbacks after competing for two years at Sherwood High School. He was the 2008 Foot Locker Cross Country Champion (15:15) at Balboa Park in San Diego. He also picked up at title at the 2008 Foot Locker Northeast Regional with a 5K time of 15:21.90

On the track, Haile was a two-time 2009 National Scholastic Indoor Champion, winning the two-mile run in a time of 9:02.67 and the 5,000 meters in a time of 14:22.88. Both clocking were personal bests.

At the 2009 Maryland State Indoor Championships, Haile took titles in the 1,600 meters (4:18.74) and the 3,200 meters (9:19.74).

Haile joins Omar Abdi (Charlestown, Ma.), Reid Brasher (Ruston, La.), Max Carroll (Shawnee, Kan.), Drew Butler (The Woodlands, Texas), Cameron Efurd (Rogers, Ark.) and Raymond Higgs (Freeport, Bahamas) who have all committed to Arkansas for 2009-10.

Arkansas Razorback men's track and field will compete next at the SEC Championships, May 14-17, in Gainesville, Fla. For more information, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.