Stephen Burns will be joining the University of Great Falls from Shelton High School in Shelton, Washington. The Washington prep star participated in both cross-country and track. In 2007, he earned the Coach’s Award for the High Climbers Track and Field team.

Burns’ personal records include running the 400 meters in a time of 56.8 seconds, 3,000 meter steeple chase in 11:38.59 and throwing the javelin 145 feet, 4 inches.

“It is safe to say that Stephen has been the hardest worker that I have coached in cross-country and track & field over the last four years. He works very hard and has improved every year that he has run. He also works equally hard in the classroom and is a great student. I am hoping to focus him more on his running this track season and see him get even better times,” said his senior English teacher and current high school cross-country and track coach Daryl White.

The Washington senior has been on the honor roll all four years of high school and has a cumulative grade point average of 3.40. Stephen plans on majoring in criminal justice when he comes to the University of Great Falls in the fall. In 2006 and 2007, he earned All-Academic Honors in the Western Cascade Conference.

"We are very excited to welcome Stephen to our program and our university. He is an excellent student and a competitive athlete. He brings a lot of versatility with his ability to run everything from the 400 meters to the 3,200 meters in track as well as his experience training for and running a marathon this winter in Huntington Beach, California. He loves to run and has a desire to improve," said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

Burns becomes the ninth overall cross-country and track recruit to sign for the University of Great Falls since January.