FREDERICK, Md.--Hood College head cross country and track & field coach Brent Ayer announced the addition of distance specialist Brett Shelley to his 2009-10 cross country and track & field teams.

Shelley hails from Landisburg, Pa., and is a product of West Perry High School where he earned a total of five letters in cross country and track. The Mustangs captured the Perry County track championship the past four years and Shelley was crowned county champion in the 1600 meters and the 3200 meters this past spring. With his victory in the 3200, Shelley clocked a county meet record (10:02). His other top times include 4:39 in the 1600 and 17:38 in the 5000. Shelley is a two-time district qualifier in cross country and also qualified for the conference meet in both cross country and track.

Shelley has garnered numerous accolades for both his athletic and academic prowess. He was named outstanding cross country runner and outstanding track distance runner in addition to receiving the coach's distance award. Shelley also participated in soccer and wrestling at West Perry and captained the cross country, track and wrestling squads during his tenure.

He was bestowed with the District Academic Excellence award and was nominated for the Athletics Director Scholar-Athlete award and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship. Shelley was the salutatorian of the Class of 2009 and was a member of the National Honor Society.

"Brett will contribute in a wide range of middle distance and distance events for us," said Ayer. "He's nearly an instant top three finisher in cross country already and should help our track program meet our goal of rewriting half of the record book."