FAIRHOPE, Ala.—Fairhope senior runner Hannah Evans signed Tuesday to compete for the University of Montevallo next year.

Evans has been a varsity-level distance specialist for the varsity Pirates and track coach Tim Yahr since her eighth grade season. She is the three-time defending county school system champion in cross country, the reigning Baldwin champ in the mile and two-mile (1,600 and 3,200 meters) and won the 800m event twice.

She also took all-state honors at the 6A Alabama High School Athletic Association state cross-country meet three times including a seventh-place medal in 2012.

  “I really like the coaches (Tommy Barksdale , Julia Marquardt) and the campus is beautiful. But I also want to go up there and help them compete for the best result, a conference title and go to nationals,” Evans said. “They’re looking for girls who really work well together, A good team that will get to nationals each year. 

“That really motivated me, because they shoot for nationals every year, and that’s what I want to do. All the girls there (have fast times), and so the push (to compete) will be so awesome.”

Yahr said that Evans has been a hard-working athlete as well as an academic honors student that the Falcons are lucky to get.

“This is Hannah’s fifth year of varsity track and cross country. She has always been very dedicated  and willing to put in the time and effort to improve. Always working to get better but always so supportive of everyone else on the team. A great teammate. A great student as well. Dedicated. We are going to miss her.”

He added that Montevallo was a good fit.

“They have a good coach up there,” he said. “I appreciate that they’re giving Hannah the opportunity. Distance is her main thing, and I think the 3,200 is her best event. In college cross country, she will run the 6K (4.3 miles).”

Evans continues a family tradition at Montevallo where her sister Haley competed and won the Peach Belt conference womens cross-country championship.

“My sister loved it there. I visited her whenever I could and I fell in love with it, too. They have a great education program and I’ve always wanted to be a teacher.

“I have to thank my parents (Ken and Tyrrell Evans) and of course coach Yahr for all they have done. I couldn’t have gotten to this point without them pushing me, keeping me motivated to push myself. And my mom and Haley, too.”

Evans plans to study education and pursue a teaching career in English and Mathematics. Her final high-school season begins Saturday with the Southeastern Relays at the University of South Alabama at 9 a.m.