Valparaiso University Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Vincent Walker has announced five total additions to the men's and women's cross country and track & field programs during the fall signing period. The newcomers will arrive in Northwest Indiana for the 2026-27 academic and athletic year.
 
Kelly O'Connor (Kankakee, Ill. / Herscher) and Tonia Renda (Naples, Fla. / Aubrey Rogers) are poised to join the women's program, while the Beacons have added Eli Schaar (New Berlin, Wis. / Eisenhower), Camden Johnson (Castle Pines, Colo. / Lutheran) and Nick Dul (New Lenox, Ill. / Lincoln-Way West) on the men's side.
 
O'Connor is a school recordholder in the 800m (2:18) and the three-mile run (17:42). She has twice qualified for state in track & field in the 800 and 1,600 and is a three-time state qualifier in cross country and a four-time all-conference performer in both sports.
 
"Kelly is a great addition to our program and I am really excited to have her join the team," Walker said. "She is a strong cross country runner who will add some depth right away and help raise the level of our women's group. Her versatility on the track opens up a lot of opportunities for us and she has the kind of range that will make an impact in the middle-distance events and relays. I look forward to seeing all she accomplishes in her career here."
 
O'Connor serves as an officer in FFA, student council and National Honor Society. She is a scholastic bowl team captain, math team and academic challenge competitor and is her school's valedictorian.
 
"I decided to choose Valpo because meeting my future teammates made the University immediately feel like home," O'Connor said. "I could so easily see that the athletes support and push one another to be their best. Valpo's welcoming faith life stood out to me with its strong sense of community and purpose. Valparaiso offers an environment where I can grow athletically, academically and personally. I am so excited to be a part of the legacy."
 
Renda is a school record holder in six events – the 4x4, 4x8, 800, 1600, 3200 and cross country 5k. She was the 2025 district champion in cross country and in the 800m event in track & field.
 
"Tonia is a gritty cross country runner from Florida who is coming with a lot of championship racing experience," Walker said. "She brings a team-first mindset and a work ethic that fits well with the culture we are building. Her toughness and competitive edge will make a big impact for us next fall. I am excited to have her on the team next year."
 
Renda finished in the top 10 in the state of Florida in 2025 in the 800m. She was an 800m, 4x4 and 4x8 regional runner-up in 2025 and finished fifth in the region in cross country. In addition, Renda owns a glowing grade point average of 4.8.
 
"I chose Valpo because the team and Coach Walker really made me feel at home, and I really enjoyed the campus and small-school feel," Renda said.
 
Johnson earned academic all-state accolades all four years of high school, plus garnered all-state honorable mention as a junior and senior.
 
"Camden is a great addition for us from Colorado and someone I think has a really bright future," Walker said. "He has raced on some tough courses at elevation and that experience will serve him well here. He brings a steady, committed attitude and I am excited to see him plug in with the team next fall."
 
Johnson also earned first team all-conference honors as a junior and senior.
 
"I chose Valpo because I enjoyed meeting with Coach Walker and was impressed by the supportive team culture," Johnson said. "I also liked the campus size and Valpo's rated engineering program, which made Valpo the perfect fit for me."
 
Schaar is a two-time conference champion and a sectional champion in cross country, while also finishing in the top-20 at the state meet, being named Conference Runner of the Year and on three occasions earning the team MVP award. In track & field, he is a two-time 1600 indoor state qualifier, 4x800 and 3200m regional champion and a two-time distance MVP.
 
"Eli is someone who elevates the people around him and cares about the group he is a part of," Walker said. "He is not afraid to put his head down and get to work, and that showed this fall during his senior cross country season. I am eager to see how that momentum carries over to the track. We are glad to have him joining our program."
 
Academically, Schaar has earned high honor roll, conference scholar-athlete honors and is a member of National Honor Society. He is part of marching band, ski/snowboard club, computer science club and handbell choir.
 
"I chose Valpo because it gave me the opportunity for a great education in a wonderful environment while competing in track and cross country at the highest level," Schaar said. "I will also be able to grow as a person and continue my life in faith."
 
Dul is a four-year varsity runner and three-time all-conference honoree in cross country, where he has twice been named all-sectional and twice qualified for state. He is the school recordholder in the 5k and three-mile, was named the team's top runner in three seasons and served as team captain for three years. He started off his freshman year with a three-mile time of 21.59 and got it down to 14:38 by his senior year.
 
"I never thought I was capable of going D1, so D3 was where I thought I would be heading," Dul said. "After talking to Coach Walker, I believe I am capable of running D1. I did not want to miss out on an opportunity to be at the D1 level."
 
Dul is a four-year varsity competitor on the track, where he has qualified for state in the 3200m and finished in the top 25 at state in that event. He owns school records in the indoor and outdoor 4x800, went to indoor championship and has served as a team captain for two seasons. Dul is a three-year varsity bowler and a state qualifier in that sport as well. He is a member of National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has maintained a 4.64 GPA with one to two AP classes each year.
 
"Nick is coming off a breakout cross country season and has really taken a big step forward," Walker said. "With his strong cross background, I believe he will transition to the 8k very well and will make a big impact on the team next fall. He is just starting to tap into his potential and I look forward to seeing what he can do this spring. He is a great addition to the team and I look forward to getting to work next fall."