Track & Field Inks 13 Athletes
7/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
July 13, 2010
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin head track and field coach Phil Olson announced the signing of 13 athletes Friday morning. Clint Harris, Hampton Hawkins, Corwin Lewis, Moses Luevano, Colby McCune, Paulette Parker, Jamal Peden, Colton Ross, Chelsea Stephens, Ericka Taylor, Josh Taylor, Courtney Thomas and Ryan Tilotta have signed National Letters of Intent to compete at SFA beginning in the 2010-11 season.
The signing class adds strength and depth to several different event areas with four sprinters, two distance runners, two middle distance runners, two throwers, two jumpers, a hurdler, and a pole vaulter.
"I am tremendously pleased with the 2010 signing class," announced Olson. "This is certainly not the largest class we have had, but it makes up for it in the quality of our student-athletes. Just count the number of state champions, finalists and the high rankings in Texas and Louisiana to see the level of talent that we have coming in this fall.
"Once again, our coaches have done a fantastic job of getting to know these young men and women, as well as their families, coaches and teachers. I think that our men's team is just going to keep getting better and better, and both cross country and track and field teams will be infused with outstanding talent. On the women's side, the challenge is replacing more than 60 points from our outdoor team, and to continue to improve our standing in the conference and the region in cross country. Based on this class, I think we are definitely moving in that direction. This is an exciting time to be a Lumberjack and Ladyjack," added Olson.
The addition of Parker and Peden will provide immediate help in the long and triple jump. A regional qualifier in the triple, Parker has posted a career best mark of 37-10 in the event. Parker recorded a district runner-up finish in the event this past season for Denton Ryan High School. A 17-6.00 long jumper, Parker also advanced to the regional championships in the 200 meters.
"Paulette will add depth to a young but strong jump's squad on the women's side," said SFA horizontal jumps coach Laceé Carmon. "With only one senior returning (two-time SLC champion Camelia Sams), she will join a core of freshmen and sophomores who make up the heart of the group. Her personality and work ethic fit the mold of the program and we are excited to have her as an addition to the program."
A four-time regional qualifier at Wylie High School, Peden won the triple jump district title all four years. He just missed taking two district titles during his junior season recording a runner-up finish in the long jump in 2009. Peden has posted personal bests of 46-8.00 (triple jump) and 23-7.00 (long jump).
"Jamal is expected to have an immediate impact in the conference next year," added Carmon. "He brings impressive results from his high school career that are expected to aid in the rebuilding of the jumps program here at SFA. He will be a great addition to the men's team that excelled in the Southland Conference this (past) season."
Ross comes to Nacogdoches as one of the state's top pole vaulters. A four-time regional qualifier, Ross has been a force at Grand Saline High School since his freshman season. Ross won a district title as a sophomore, and followed that up with a district, regional and state championship in 2009. He closed out his high school career with a district title and a No. 2 national ranking by clearing a height of 17-0.00.
"During Colton's senior season he cleared a height of 16-feet at almost every meet, recording a personal best of 17-0.00," said SFA multis and pole vault coach Ron McCown. "That is an accomplishment to be proud of. He is a hard working young man who has a desire to excel at a very high level. We are excited to have him vaulting for us and we look forward to the success he is going to have."
The true-definition of a student-athlete, Ross received the academic excellence award all four years at Grand Saline. He closed out his high school career by being named to the `A' honor roll as a junior and senior.
McCune and Luevano bring championship experience into their rookie seasons at SFA. The duo combined to guide Boerne Champion High School to a 4A state cross country title, as well as the Nike Team National Championship. Both athletes were key components in the championship run recording top-five finishes at both meets.
"Colby and Moses know the hard work it takes to be part of a championship team," said distance coach Lou Snelling. "With a little time both can make sizeable contributions to our team's success."
Tilotta saved his best for last recording a career year at Tomball High School. He clocked personal best times of 4:16.45 in the 1,600 meters and 9:18.24 in the 3,200 meters at the district 13-5A track and field meet. He recorded runner-up finishes in both events, placing second to the eventual state champion.
"Ryan has a tremendous upside," said Snelling. "With patience and focus he could have a big impact on the conference and rank highly among the elite Lumberjacks from the last decade."
The `Jacks added two of the top throwers in the state of Texas with the signing of Harris and Thomas. The No. 2 ranked discus thrower in the state with a mark of 187-7 in the discus, Harris won the District 11-5A title for Burleson High School. A 55-foot shot putter, Harris' talent has also been recognized on a regional level recording an individual title at the Great Southwest Track and Field meet in New Mexico last month.
"Clint comes to Nacogdoches with high praise following a very successful senior season," said Olson. "He is a very good talent in the discus, but what he possesses is a terrific love for throwing that should envelope all three disciplines."
Harris will be counted on to compete in the discus, hammer throw and shot put for the Lumberjacks.
Thomas is a former TAPPS 3-A state champion in the shot put, recording a personal best of 50-10.00. The Brook Hill High School product just missed a state title in the discus by posting a second-place finish in the event, and has recorded a personal best throw of 145-0. A versatile athlete, Thomas was also a key figure on his prep squad's state semifinal basketball team.
"Courtney has a tremendous upside physically," said Olson. "He is the largest thrower I will have coached in my 23 years of collegiate athletics (6-7, 300 lbs.) and with God's blessings and Courtney's commitment, I think he will be able to compete at a high level as an (NCAA) Division I track and field athlete."
Josh and Ericka Taylor make their way to SFA after standout high school careers at Pearland. Josh was a 400-meter specialist who was a regional qualifier in the event, and helped his mile relay team advance to state. While Ericka has a strong background in the 400, she made a successful transition to the 800 meters and will focus on the middle distance at SFA.
"We felt Josh was one of the top quarter milers in the state," said sprints and hurdles coach Sean Lonergan. "His tremendous anchor leg at the Texas Relays was an example of his outstanding ability and desire to be a great mile relay runner for us.
"Ericka is a late converter from the 400 to the 800 meters, but we feel like she will make the transition well in the future. She is a great student and a hard worker on the track, and we feel that she has tremendous potential as an 800-meter runner. Ericka also has great leadership qualities," added Lonergan.
Lewis is targeted to strengthen the 'Jacks' middle distance squad, but will also have an impact in the 400 meters. A regional qualifier in the 800 meters, he helped guide Mansfield Timberview to the state championship meet in the 1,600-meter relay.
Similar to Lewis, Hawkins also guided his prep squad to the state championship meet in the 1,600-meter relay, as well as the 400-meter relay. He was also a serious threat in the open 400 for Houston Willowridge High School.
"Corwin is a great athlete with a lot of range and potential to be a top 800 runner," said Lonergan. "While Hampton is an athlete with a lot of upside. He will help us in the 100, 200 and 400 meters. We are very excited about their potential and ability."
SFA has also added Crowder who will be counted on to add strength in the 200 and 400 meters. A standout at Allen High School, Crowder adds to an already strong incoming class of sprinters.
"We are excited about Torin," said Lonergan. "He was hit with some injury problems which really hampered his season, but he was one of the top indoor quarter runners in the state. We feel he will be a great student-athlete for us."
Stephens is the lone hurdler of the class. A state qualifier in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles at Houston Hightower High School, Stephens is also targeted to strengthen the Ladyjacks' relay squads as well.
"Chelsea is a very focused athlete," said Lonergan. "We are so excited to have her joining our program. I look for her to have a tremendous impact in the Southland Conference."
-SFA-
