Allie Ostrander and Karisa Nelson newest members of Seattle-based Brooks Beasts...

Allie Ostrander

SEATTLE—The landscape of the Seattle elite running community got even more interesting with the addition of NCAA champions Allie Ostrander and Karisa Nelson to the Brooks Beasts, according to a press release sent out by the Seattle based running shoe and apparel company Wednesday.

“Welcoming Allie and Karisa to the team is a big moment for the Beasts,” said Sports Marketing Manager Steve DeKoker. “Adding the two collegiate champions to our roster demonstrates the team’s growth as well as our continued investment into this part of our sport. Allie and Karisa both care about inspiring runners of all backgrounds, and their glass-half-full attitudes will be a perfect fit for the team.”

Ostrander is a three-time NCAA Division I (DI) steeplechase champion. Originally from Kenai, Alaska, and a graduate of Boise State University, Ostrander is an 11-time All American and holds places in the NCAA top-15 all-time lists in the 5,000-meter run, 10,000m and steeplechase.

“I’ve known Brooks and Danny for a while and they believe in my potential to have an impact on the Beasts team and to improve over the coming years,” said Ostrander. “I’m excited to experience a new city and become engrained in the team and be a part of the Run Happy family.”

Ostrander had one more season of eligibility left at Boise State, but renounced her eligibility when she signed with agent Ray Flynn. She ran the steeple at Sunday's Nike Prefontaine Classic wearing her Boise State kit, finishing 13th in a personal best 9:31.44. In the latest IAAF world rankings, Ostrander is ranked #31.

Karisa Nelson

Nelson is the NCAA DI 2017 indoor 1-mile champion and 2019 runner-up. The Brewton, Alabama native graduated from Samford University in Birmingham.

“I’m excited to join the Beasts because the team is more than just a group of people working to become the best athletes they can be, they’re a team that supports each other and thrives on each other’s successes,” said Nelson. “My new teammates are some of the kindest and most honest people I have ever met. To me, in the professional world of sports, that’s something really special and it was a big reason why I decided to sign with the team.”

According to Brooks Beasts coach Danny Mackey, Nelson will make her Beasts debut at the Sunset Tour on July 9th at Azusa Pacific University.

Both Nelson and Ostrander will move to Seattle shortly.

Mackey also told publisher Paul Merca that Garrett Heath, who was bumped off the Pan Am Games team in the 10000 meters, will pursue arbitration in order to get back on the squad.

Heath was removed after an arbiter ruled in favor of Arizona alum Lawi Lalang and two other members of the American Distance Project shortly before USA Track & Field had to submit entries to the Lima organizing committee.

NOTE: The media relations department at Brooks Running contributed to this report. Photos of both Ostrander and Nelson courtesy Brooks Running.