To avoid any sort of bias in our collaboration, we haven’t consulted Wood regarding this preview. This year, he made the move from BYU’s student-manager the Graduate Assistant position at FSU. He arrives in Tallahassee along with four newcomers who have already made an immediate impact.

Two weeks ago at the Covered Bridge Open in Boone, NC, there were four new faces in FSU’s top seven. One of those new ladies lead the team, too. Even after losing Violah Lagat, Amanda Winslow, and Kayleigh Tyerman, FSU still remains a contender for a national title. Here are the new faces.

Hannah Walker (Warwickshire, UK); Birmingham University
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Like the older Wood said above, there aren’t many teams who get an addition that’ll be such a game changer. Walker is a junior transfer who “has ranked in the top five in the UK under-23 age group the past two seasons,” according to seminoles.com.

All of Walker’s personal bests are from 2011, where she ran 4:28.07 for 1500m, 9:21.40 for 3k, 15:48.69 for 5k, and 33:09.50 for 10k. Last year, we only found one result for her – 15:55 for a road 5k.

She’s one to watch. At Covered Bridge, she was FSU’s top runner with a 18:05.88 win. According to the team’s press release, the team “went out slow early and finished fast.” Expect her and Colleen Quigley to be a tough 1-2 punch.

Photo: Seminoles.com

Pippa Woolven (Buckinghamshire, UK); Birmingham University
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Joining Walker is another Birmingham transfer, Pippa Woolven. Though she also seldom raced last year, she’s still a scary threat. From 2011 to 2012, Woolven dropped her 3000m steeplechase personal best from 11:07.34 to 10:11.86. That’s not her most impressive PR, though.

Back in 2010, she blazed 13.8 for 100m. Still, I don't think she's a contender for that FSU 4x100m.

Photo: Seminoles.com

Anna Holdiman (Waverly, Iowa); Waverly-Shell Rock HS
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Holdiman after her 7th place finish at the 2012 Foot Locker Championships

Last minute summer transfers are supposed to be for international soccer, not NCAA cross country. “The Pride of Iowa” was originally signed, sealed, and delivered to run for Iowa State this year. But after some coaching carousel changes that saw Corey Ihmels leave for Boise State and Martin Smith (from Oklahoma and Andrea McDonough (from Connecticut) fill the void in Ames, IA, Holdiman asked for and was granted a release by ISU.

Like we said of Jacob Thomson yesterday, Holdiman is a strong racer. She finished seventh at Foot Locker and representing Team USA at the Great Edinburgh Race, she finished 15th in the junior race in 14:52.00. Two weeks ago at Covered Bridge, she was FSU’s number three (18:20.89 for 5k).

Bridget Blake (Orlando, FL) Dr. Phillips HS
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Florida Runner’s Distance Runner of the Year is the final solid addition for the Seminoles. Remember when Andres Arroyo accomplished a historic 800/1600/3200 triple at the Florida State Meet? Blake attempted the same feat, but came up just short – she finished first in the 3200m (11:26.01), third in the 800m (2:18.06), and first in the 1600m (5:10.19). Close enough.

Blake was FSU’s sixth runner at Covered Bridge (18:34.26) and should add depth to an already stellar squad.