SEATTLE (Apr. 24) -- Danielle Ayers-Stamper, the defending state heptathlon champion from LaCrosse-Washtucna High School, has signed a national letter of intent to compete in track & field for Seattle Pacific University.

This season, Ayers-Stamper has won the Pasco Invitational long jump for the second year in a row. She was runner-up to Ginnie Powell of Rainier Beach in the 100-meter hurdles. Ayers-Stamper currently has the state's No. 2 mark (all classifications) in the long jump (18-1) and is No. 4 in the hurdles (15.06).

As a junior she scored 4690 points to take first place in the heptathlon. Ayers-Stamper has won the state B title in both the100 hurdles and long jump each of the past three seasons. She holds the championship meet records in both events at 14.88 seconds and 18 feet, 9 1/2 inches, respectively.

Ayers-Stamper is the fifth recruit signed for next season by Coach Jack Hoyt. Brandi McCoy of Richland, the state 4A cross country champion in 2000, signed earlier this week. Seattle Pacific finished ninth in the 2001 NCAA Division II Championships and has won two consecutive conference titles.