Track and Field Announces Addition of 16 Athletes for Upcoming Season
6/11/2018 4:15:00 PM | Track & Field
'Jacks ink 16 to join team in the fall
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin track and field team announced the signing of 16 new signees on Monday, head coach Phil Olson announced. The class consists of one thrower, seven sprinters, one jumper, two pole vaulters and five distance runners, with all 16 set to join the team in the fall.
"This is a very exciting class to be a part of", said Olson. "We have some elite men and women joining our program who will immediately impact the national scene. The Southland Conference is at such a high end nationally, and we fully expect our signees to achieve prominence in their events at NCAA championships as well as continue to help our program succeed at a conference championship level. We are thrilled by the opportunity to coach and serve this class."
A two-time regional champion in the shot put, Tomball, Texas native Riley Cross is the lone thrower in the class. With a PR of 44'-5" in the shot put, she was the state runner-up in the event in both her junior and senior season, and is ranked eighth among all classes in the shot put as a senior.
"Riley brings in a real good quality to our program", said Olson, who will coach Cross. "As an athlete, she has good experience at the Regional and State level in both the shot put and discus, and will provide an excellent punch in the shot. As a student and as a person, Riley has such a dynamic personality that she will make an excellent teacher and coach upon graduation. Her high school coach, Scott Reid, is a Throws Alum of SFA, and has given Riley outstanding technical and training guidance while at Tomball. We are excited to have her."
A decorated quartet of sprinters on the men's side is headlined by a pair of regional champions. Ashton Callahan out of Sweeny High comes to SFA after a prep career in which he was both a sprinter and football player. Finishing his career as one of the top 200m runners in the state, Callahan finished as both the Region 4 4A Champion and the State 4A Runner Up, and will contribute immediately to the SFA program.
Ashton is a heavily recruited sprinter from Sweeny where he was a standout football player and sprinter", said SFA sprints coach Mike Courtney. "He comes here as one of the top 200m runners in the state and should step right in and have an immediate impact for our sprint program. We are very excited for him to join our family here at SFA!"
Also finishing as a regional champion was Jeremiah Curry out of Mansfield Lake Ridge HS. Curry was the Region 2 5A Champion in the 200m and will also be an immediate contributor for SFA.
"Jeremiah is a very talented sprinter with range", Courtney said. "He excelled on two of the state's best relays and was also one of the top 200m individual sprinters. He will have an immediate impact here and we are excited to have him join our program!"
Another two-sport athlete coming to SFA is Justin Garcia out of Garrison, Texas. The track and basketball star will join SFA as a 400/800 runner.
"Justin has been a star athlete at Garrison high for the past few years both in track and basketball", Courtney said. "He will be training in our 400/800 group and I believe he has tremendous topside in both of the long sprints. We are very excited that he chose to continue his track career here at SFA!"
Relatively new to track and field but already showing tremendous improvement and potential is Caleb Brooks of Arlington Lamar HS. Brooks has split his time between running relays (4x200/4x400) and the triple jump, becoming one of the state's best in the latter. Brooks was the Region 1 6A Triple Jump Runner-Up and has the potential to make a strong immediate impact for SFA.
"Caleb is new to track and field and has already improved tremendously in the short amount of time that he has been involved in the sport", added Courtney. "He has run very fast splits on both the 4x200 and 4x400 relay and is one of the state's top triple jumpers. He will be a competing as both a sprinter and jumper here at SFA and we are excited to watch his continued improvement."
On the women's side, a trio of in-state sprinters add to a deep position group for the Ladyjacks. Cayla Burch comes to Nacogdoches via Waco Midway, and has become a versatile and flexible runner while specializing in the 400m.
"Cayla is a very raw and talented sprinter from that can run anything from the 4x100 relay to the 400", quipped Courtney. "This was her first year running the open 400 and she became one of the state's top quarter milers. We are excited to have her join our family here at SFA."
Joining her cousin Jeremiah Curry out of Mansfield Lake Ridge HS is Asia Giles, a runner who has been a key part of two of the nation's top high school relays. Giles has the skillset to run several different events for SFA and the chance to make an immediate impact.
"Asia was an intricate part of two of the nation's best 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays", details Courtney. "She is the type of young lady that could help us in several different areas. The 200 is her best event but she has the ability to run the 100 and 400 as well along with running some hurdles. She is a great addition to our sprint group here at SFA."
A state champion in the 100m hurdles, Kinsey Smith comes to SFA by way of White Oak, Texas, where she has excelled in multiple events throughout her career. Smith also finished as a state runner-up in the 300m hurdles.
"Kinsey is a very talented young lady that has excelled in multiple events throughout her high school career", added Courtney. "She is a great addition to both our short and long hurdle groups! She will be one of the youngest freshmen in the country and should see some major progressions as she continues to get stronger. We are looking forward to her future here at SFA!"
In summarizing the sprint group as a whole, Courtney said "I am extremely excited for the freshman class that we will have joining us this fall. I feel like it is one of the best sprint classes that we have seen at SFA. This does not just include the scholarship signees, who are extremely talented, but also includes our recruited walk-ons. Top to bottom this class has the potential to step in and play an important role in continuing to keep SFA track at the top of the conference. Coach Olson has done a tremendous job building this program and if this class will come in and work to the best of their abilities then the sky is the limit for them at both the conference and national level."
Stephen F. Austin added to its already strong reputation as a premier pole vault program with the signing of two great vaulters in Branson Ellis and Gabriana Dornak. Ellis joins the Lumberjacks after setting a new Texas state record with a clearance of 18-3.25 at the UIL state meet in Austin, Texas. Ellis took the state title in the event in both his junior and senior seasons after finishing as the runner-up as a sophomore.
"Branson did amazing at the Texas State Championships", said SFA assistant coach Ron McCown. "His accomplishment of having the best jump ever in the State of Texas is an awesome accomplishment. We are thrilled to have him joining our team in the Fall. Branson is a great kid with great work ethic. He has a very promising future and he will definitely add to the ongoing success of the vault crew here at SFA."
Dornak, who hails from Whitehouse, Texas, has vaulted to a personal best of 12-1 during her prep career while also competing in the 100, 200 and a pair of sprint relays. Her versatility will contribute to performance in the heptathlon and pole vault.
"Gabbi will be competing in the heptathlon as well as pole vaulting for us", McCown added. "She is a talented young lady that is strong and has good speed. She is willing to compete in both events and I feel she has a great chance to score points in both the heptathlon and the pole vault."
Joining the 'Jacks from Aledo, Texas will be Tysley Valencia, a long jumper who also competed in sprints and relays. Valencia jumped to a personal best of 18'-8" in the long jump and was a three-time regional qualifier.
"Tysley will be a jumper and a sprinter for us", said McCown. "This young lady has the work ethic and determination to help the team immediately. Tysley's potential is exciting. We are fortunate to have her join our team."
Five distance runners will also join the team this fall. Alexis Antkowiak (Brenham High School) will join SFA after concluding a prep career in which she was a two-time state qualifier in cross country and a two-time region qualifier in the 1600m. Alexis reached PR's of 5:22.45 (1600m), 11:39.53 (3200m), 18:22.20 (5k XC) and 7:33.64 (2000k steeplechase).
"Alexis will be a good edition to our squad this year", said SFA cross country coach Cody Clark. "She comes from a great program at Brenham - her coach Trenton Hall is an alumni. I believe Alexis is on the cusp of really making that next big step at the collegiate level, and I look forward to seeing that through. She will be a solid productive member of the distance squad, and will help us in cross country and 5k-10k on the track."
Beraki hails from Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he set PR's of 9:35.74 in the 3200m and 1:10:09 in the half-marathon. Beraki was also named a Region 3 Cross Country
Champion for Palmer HS.
"Awet comes from Colorado where his ability has steadily flown under the radar," added Clark. "I believe Awet can make an immediate impact in our program and have a presence at the regional and national level one day. Awet will be one of our top guys on the cross country team and cover 5k-10k on the track as well."
Joseph Gardner comes to SFA via Kingwood Park High School, where he was a District 21 Champion in the 3200m and the runner-up in the 1600m.
"Joseph will be a great addition to the men's team", added cross country/distance coach Brionne Clark. "He is a hard worker and will add great depth to the distance squad. He could make an immediate impact not only on the track, but in cross country as well."
Joining her high school teammate Antkowiak, Meredith Clayton of Brenham, Texas will join the Ladyjacks after a successful prep career. She was a UIL Region 3 Cross Country Champion and established PR's of 5:18 (1600m), 11:19 (3200m) and 18:19 (5k XC).
"Meredith comes from a great program from Brenham and shows potential to be a big impact in cross country and on the track", Brionne Clark said. "Meredith started off her senior year with a great cross country season in the fall and then battled mono this past track season. I can't wait to see what she can accomplish now that she is back to 100%."
The final signee of the group is Bailey Kinney of San Angelo Central High School. Kinney was named a UIL 6A District 2 Champ in the 800m, as well as being named the area runner-up in the event. With PR's of 58.66 (400m), 2:15 (800m) and 4:48 (1500m), Kinney will help the 'Jacks out in the middle distance events.
"We are thrilled to add Bailey to our middle distance group", said Brionne Clark. "She is a very talented young lady with the determination and work ethic to excel at the next level. I see Bailey contributing to the team immediately on the track in the 800m, 1500m/Mile, and DMR."
-SFA-
"This is a very exciting class to be a part of", said Olson. "We have some elite men and women joining our program who will immediately impact the national scene. The Southland Conference is at such a high end nationally, and we fully expect our signees to achieve prominence in their events at NCAA championships as well as continue to help our program succeed at a conference championship level. We are thrilled by the opportunity to coach and serve this class."
A two-time regional champion in the shot put, Tomball, Texas native Riley Cross is the lone thrower in the class. With a PR of 44'-5" in the shot put, she was the state runner-up in the event in both her junior and senior season, and is ranked eighth among all classes in the shot put as a senior.
"Riley brings in a real good quality to our program", said Olson, who will coach Cross. "As an athlete, she has good experience at the Regional and State level in both the shot put and discus, and will provide an excellent punch in the shot. As a student and as a person, Riley has such a dynamic personality that she will make an excellent teacher and coach upon graduation. Her high school coach, Scott Reid, is a Throws Alum of SFA, and has given Riley outstanding technical and training guidance while at Tomball. We are excited to have her."
A decorated quartet of sprinters on the men's side is headlined by a pair of regional champions. Ashton Callahan out of Sweeny High comes to SFA after a prep career in which he was both a sprinter and football player. Finishing his career as one of the top 200m runners in the state, Callahan finished as both the Region 4 4A Champion and the State 4A Runner Up, and will contribute immediately to the SFA program.
Ashton is a heavily recruited sprinter from Sweeny where he was a standout football player and sprinter", said SFA sprints coach Mike Courtney. "He comes here as one of the top 200m runners in the state and should step right in and have an immediate impact for our sprint program. We are very excited for him to join our family here at SFA!"
Also finishing as a regional champion was Jeremiah Curry out of Mansfield Lake Ridge HS. Curry was the Region 2 5A Champion in the 200m and will also be an immediate contributor for SFA.
"Jeremiah is a very talented sprinter with range", Courtney said. "He excelled on two of the state's best relays and was also one of the top 200m individual sprinters. He will have an immediate impact here and we are excited to have him join our program!"
Another two-sport athlete coming to SFA is Justin Garcia out of Garrison, Texas. The track and basketball star will join SFA as a 400/800 runner.
"Justin has been a star athlete at Garrison high for the past few years both in track and basketball", Courtney said. "He will be training in our 400/800 group and I believe he has tremendous topside in both of the long sprints. We are very excited that he chose to continue his track career here at SFA!"
Relatively new to track and field but already showing tremendous improvement and potential is Caleb Brooks of Arlington Lamar HS. Brooks has split his time between running relays (4x200/4x400) and the triple jump, becoming one of the state's best in the latter. Brooks was the Region 1 6A Triple Jump Runner-Up and has the potential to make a strong immediate impact for SFA.
"Caleb is new to track and field and has already improved tremendously in the short amount of time that he has been involved in the sport", added Courtney. "He has run very fast splits on both the 4x200 and 4x400 relay and is one of the state's top triple jumpers. He will be a competing as both a sprinter and jumper here at SFA and we are excited to watch his continued improvement."
On the women's side, a trio of in-state sprinters add to a deep position group for the Ladyjacks. Cayla Burch comes to Nacogdoches via Waco Midway, and has become a versatile and flexible runner while specializing in the 400m.
"Cayla is a very raw and talented sprinter from that can run anything from the 4x100 relay to the 400", quipped Courtney. "This was her first year running the open 400 and she became one of the state's top quarter milers. We are excited to have her join our family here at SFA."
Joining her cousin Jeremiah Curry out of Mansfield Lake Ridge HS is Asia Giles, a runner who has been a key part of two of the nation's top high school relays. Giles has the skillset to run several different events for SFA and the chance to make an immediate impact.
"Asia was an intricate part of two of the nation's best 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays", details Courtney. "She is the type of young lady that could help us in several different areas. The 200 is her best event but she has the ability to run the 100 and 400 as well along with running some hurdles. She is a great addition to our sprint group here at SFA."
A state champion in the 100m hurdles, Kinsey Smith comes to SFA by way of White Oak, Texas, where she has excelled in multiple events throughout her career. Smith also finished as a state runner-up in the 300m hurdles.
"Kinsey is a very talented young lady that has excelled in multiple events throughout her high school career", added Courtney. "She is a great addition to both our short and long hurdle groups! She will be one of the youngest freshmen in the country and should see some major progressions as she continues to get stronger. We are looking forward to her future here at SFA!"
In summarizing the sprint group as a whole, Courtney said "I am extremely excited for the freshman class that we will have joining us this fall. I feel like it is one of the best sprint classes that we have seen at SFA. This does not just include the scholarship signees, who are extremely talented, but also includes our recruited walk-ons. Top to bottom this class has the potential to step in and play an important role in continuing to keep SFA track at the top of the conference. Coach Olson has done a tremendous job building this program and if this class will come in and work to the best of their abilities then the sky is the limit for them at both the conference and national level."
Stephen F. Austin added to its already strong reputation as a premier pole vault program with the signing of two great vaulters in Branson Ellis and Gabriana Dornak. Ellis joins the Lumberjacks after setting a new Texas state record with a clearance of 18-3.25 at the UIL state meet in Austin, Texas. Ellis took the state title in the event in both his junior and senior seasons after finishing as the runner-up as a sophomore.
"Branson did amazing at the Texas State Championships", said SFA assistant coach Ron McCown. "His accomplishment of having the best jump ever in the State of Texas is an awesome accomplishment. We are thrilled to have him joining our team in the Fall. Branson is a great kid with great work ethic. He has a very promising future and he will definitely add to the ongoing success of the vault crew here at SFA."
Dornak, who hails from Whitehouse, Texas, has vaulted to a personal best of 12-1 during her prep career while also competing in the 100, 200 and a pair of sprint relays. Her versatility will contribute to performance in the heptathlon and pole vault.
"Gabbi will be competing in the heptathlon as well as pole vaulting for us", McCown added. "She is a talented young lady that is strong and has good speed. She is willing to compete in both events and I feel she has a great chance to score points in both the heptathlon and the pole vault."
Joining the 'Jacks from Aledo, Texas will be Tysley Valencia, a long jumper who also competed in sprints and relays. Valencia jumped to a personal best of 18'-8" in the long jump and was a three-time regional qualifier.
"Tysley will be a jumper and a sprinter for us", said McCown. "This young lady has the work ethic and determination to help the team immediately. Tysley's potential is exciting. We are fortunate to have her join our team."
Five distance runners will also join the team this fall. Alexis Antkowiak (Brenham High School) will join SFA after concluding a prep career in which she was a two-time state qualifier in cross country and a two-time region qualifier in the 1600m. Alexis reached PR's of 5:22.45 (1600m), 11:39.53 (3200m), 18:22.20 (5k XC) and 7:33.64 (2000k steeplechase).
"Alexis will be a good edition to our squad this year", said SFA cross country coach Cody Clark. "She comes from a great program at Brenham - her coach Trenton Hall is an alumni. I believe Alexis is on the cusp of really making that next big step at the collegiate level, and I look forward to seeing that through. She will be a solid productive member of the distance squad, and will help us in cross country and 5k-10k on the track."
Beraki hails from Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he set PR's of 9:35.74 in the 3200m and 1:10:09 in the half-marathon. Beraki was also named a Region 3 Cross Country
Champion for Palmer HS.
"Awet comes from Colorado where his ability has steadily flown under the radar," added Clark. "I believe Awet can make an immediate impact in our program and have a presence at the regional and national level one day. Awet will be one of our top guys on the cross country team and cover 5k-10k on the track as well."
Joseph Gardner comes to SFA via Kingwood Park High School, where he was a District 21 Champion in the 3200m and the runner-up in the 1600m.
"Joseph will be a great addition to the men's team", added cross country/distance coach Brionne Clark. "He is a hard worker and will add great depth to the distance squad. He could make an immediate impact not only on the track, but in cross country as well."
Joining her high school teammate Antkowiak, Meredith Clayton of Brenham, Texas will join the Ladyjacks after a successful prep career. She was a UIL Region 3 Cross Country Champion and established PR's of 5:18 (1600m), 11:19 (3200m) and 18:19 (5k XC).
"Meredith comes from a great program from Brenham and shows potential to be a big impact in cross country and on the track", Brionne Clark said. "Meredith started off her senior year with a great cross country season in the fall and then battled mono this past track season. I can't wait to see what she can accomplish now that she is back to 100%."
The final signee of the group is Bailey Kinney of San Angelo Central High School. Kinney was named a UIL 6A District 2 Champ in the 800m, as well as being named the area runner-up in the event. With PR's of 58.66 (400m), 2:15 (800m) and 4:48 (1500m), Kinney will help the 'Jacks out in the middle distance events.
"We are thrilled to add Bailey to our middle distance group", said Brionne Clark. "She is a very talented young lady with the determination and work ethic to excel at the next level. I see Bailey contributing to the team immediately on the track in the 800m, 1500m/Mile, and DMR."
-SFA-
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