GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Samantha Johns has signed a national letter of intent to attend Tusculum College and run cross country for the Pioneers announced TC head coach Suzanne Byrd.

The Maryville, Tenn. native ran her prep career at William Blount High School, where she earned All-Conference honors in the fall, finishing 20th in the TSSAA State Championship with a time of 21:12.

"Samantha will be an impact runner for us. She is fast and a really hard worker," said Byrd. "As we continue to build our Women's team, she will play an integral part in the vision we have for Tusculum Cross Country."

Johns has posted a personal-best time of 20:13 in the 5,000-meters and was named her team's Most Valuable Runner.

Johns has a strong Pioneer background as her father and grandfather are both Tusculum graduates.

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference.

- TC -