Francis Marion University women's cross country coach Mark Bluman has announced the signing of Emily Gaines of Taylors, S.C., to a national letter of intent.  Gaines will enroll at FMU next fall and run for the Patriots in 2023.

Gaines, 5-2, is a senior at Wade Hampton High School, where she runs under the direction of coach Rick Zeller.  She placed 25th at the Region 2-AAAA championship meet, and served as team captain for the Generals' squad.

She owns personal best times of 21:59 for 5,000-meters and 6:51 for 1,600-meters.

A five-year letterwinner in both cross country and track, she was named the program's most improved runner in 2019.  She will graduate with honors in health science.

"Emily is a product of a family of runners, and she comes from a solid prep program," Bluman said.  "She is an experienced runner that will arrive on campus well prepared for collegiate competition.  She is also a good student in the classroom."