Christiansburg High School's Rochelle Evans made it official Monday afternoon, as she signed her Letter of Intent to continue her outstanding track career at William and Mary.

Evans, who is currently ranked No. 8 in the nation in the girl's shot put with a distance of 44 feet, four inches, also won the River District Championship last week when she set a new district record with a mark of 44-4.

In 2011, she was the Group AA outdoor state track champion in the shot put and the discus. She set the group AA outdoor track shot put record at 45-09 (record from 1983), she also set a new school record in the discus with a distance of 135-07. In addition, she was the Region IV and River Ridge District champion in outdoor discus and shot put champion, where she set a new district record in both the shot put (42-02) and discus (124-06).

As for indoor track in 2011, Evans was the state indoor track state champion in the shot put. She was the Region IV champion, where she set a new record of 40-05.5, and was also the district champion with new district record of 42-11.5. In addition, she placed seventh, just one spot shy of being and all-American at the New Balance National Indoor Track Championships in New York City.

“I think Rochelle made an excellent decision in choosing The College of William and Mary. Not only will she be getting a superb educational experience, but she will also have an excellent mentor and coach in Dan Stimson, said Christiansburg head track coach Shane Guynn. :He made it a point from the beginning of the recruiting process that Rochelle was #1 on his recruiting list and he wanted an individual of her character, athletic ability, and academic excellence."

Coach Guynn further added, "Rochelle's signing with The College of William and Mary is a true testament to the work, energy, and time Rochelle has put into her studies, athletics, and extra-curricular activities. This could not have happened to a better person and more well deserving individual! She will have a very bright future ahead of her and William and Mary will continue to open many doors for her in the journey ahead."

Photo: Christiansburg's Rochelle Evans smiles as she completes her letter of intent paperwork for the William and Mary track and field program. With her are (bottom, l to r): brother B.K., mother Shelby, father George, and brother Zachary; (back row, l to r): CHS principal Rhonda Poindexter, head coach Shane Guynn, throwing coach Cassidy Jones, and CHS athletic director Kirk Litton. (Photo by Jon Fleming)