May 22, 2010 

Winston-Salem, NC-Natali Olveda (Litchfield Park, AZ; Verrado High School) leads a strong recruiting class for Salem College's cross country and track & field teams.  Olveda has been a top runner on the Verrado High School team, in the 4A II Skyline Region, and finished 36th in the Arizona State 4A II Cross Country Championships.  Olveda qualified and competed in the Arizona State 4A II Cross Country Championships from her sophomore through senior year. 

In addition to excelling in cross country, Olveda also is a top competitor in track & field, including the 800m, 1600m and 3200m, and will make an immediate impact on both teams. 

Other top running recruits competing for the Salem Spirits include: Brandi Ayscue (Henderson, NC; Southern Vance Senior High School), Jessica Butner (Mocksville, NC; Davie County High School), and Kristen McLaurin (Columbia, SC; Cardinal Newman High School).

Salem College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Winston-Salem, NC. Salem is the oldest educational institution for women in the United States, and was founded in 1772. The institution boasts a proud history of fostering independence in women. Salem was recently ranked number 67 in Forbes magazines second annual ranking of America's 600 best colleges, and as Forbes' number fourteen in their "America's Best College Buys" Top 100.