Aug. 14, 2008

NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin men's and women's track and field team strengthened its lineup with the signing of 12 athletes head coach Phil Olson announced Thursday morning. The incoming class consists of six sprinters, two high jumpers, a thrower, a hurdler and a middle distance runner. Kyle Bishop (Conroe High School), Danielle Burchett (Arlington Seguin High School), Mary Dickerson (Groveton High School), Carrie Hahn (Vista Ridge High School), Justin Johnson (Little Elm), Nick McCloud (Tyler Lee High School), David McKenzie (Katy Taylor High School), Scott Nixon (Westlake High School), Josh Tabors (Sanger High School), Alex Teator (Arlington Lamar High School), Katrina Turner (Waco Midway High School) and Lauren Watts (Forney High School) announced their intentions to continue their education at SFA next fall.

"This was a terrific way for us to end our recruiting season with a strong group of state performers," said Olson. "This class consists of a couple of state champions and all-state performers. We had some areas of concern that we were able to fill with this outstanding class, and we look forward to the upcoming season with a great deal of confidence."

New sprints and hurdles coach Sean Lonergan has added a core of sprinters and hurdles that have compiled seven regional medalist honors, six state finalists and one state champion. If you include Burchett, who was a state medalist in the class 4A 800-meter run, that list balloons to eight regional medalists and seven state finalists.

Highlighted by Dickerson, a Groveton, Texas, native who won the 2008 1-A state title in the girl's 400-meter dash, the class of incoming sprinters are deep and provide SFA with help in the open events as well as the relays. Turner was a key member of the mile relay team that was a state medalist at the class 4A level, while Johnson helped guide Little Elm to the regional meet in the 4X100 and 4X200-meter relays.

Lonergan knows Tabors well, having coached him in high school. Tabors recorded a regional medalist finish in the 100 meters at Sanger High School. He advanced to state as a member of Sanger 4X200-meter relay team.

Both the SFA men's and women's 400-meters squads were strengthened by the addition of Teator and Watts. Both athletes were regional medalists at 4A level.

McCloud is the lone hurdler in the class. A standout from Tyler Lee, McCloud recorded a state medalist finish in the 110-meter hurdles for the Red Raiders.

"I'm real pleased with the potential quality, depth, and flexibility this group of signees will bring to our program," said Lonergan. "We feel like this is a group that adds a great range of events to the sprinters and hurdlers that are currently on the team"

Bishop comes to SFA with a connection to the university, having been coached by former Lumberjack football and track and field standout Matt Hoelscher. Bishop was a regional qualifier in the shot put and discus for Conroe High School. He finished ninth in the shot put, and fourth in the discus. Bishop has recorded personal bests of 170-0 in the discus, and 55-0 in the shot put. He will be expected to compete in the indoor weight throw, and the hammer throw at SFA.

McKenzie is another former state champion in the class, bringing the 5A state title to Katy Taylor High School in the pole vault. He cleared a height of 15-6 to win the state title. He has recorded a personal record of 15-8 in the event.

The addition of Nixon fills a huge void for the Lumberjacks who have graduated two former conference champions each of the past two seasons. Nixon looks to continue the success that SFA has seen in the event over recent years. He has cleared a personal best of 6-4 in the event.

"I am glad to have both David and Scott as a part of our program," said multis and jumps coach Ron McCown. "They both add depth, and bring the kind of attitude they need to be successful at this level."

Hahn is a key signee for the Ladyjack high jumpers. She fills a void for the Ladyjacks. Hahn comes to Nacogdoches after recording a personal best of 5-7 in the high jump at Vista Ridge High School.

"Carrie is a talented jumper who will have an immediate impact next year," said high jump coach Ryder Peacock. "I'm very excited about her potential, as she will add depth to our women's high jump."

-SFA-

2008 SFA Track and Field Signing Class

John Arthur Brazoswood High School Throws

Kyle Bishop Conroe High School Throws

Danielle Burchette Arlington Seguin High School Middle Distance

Mary Dickerson Groveton High School Sprints

Makayla Elliott Stephenville High School Throws

Brette Flemming-Wood Mansfield High School Distance

Stephanie Ganter McKinney High School Distance

Carrie Hahn Vista Ridge High School Jumps

Justin Johnson Little Elm High School Sprints

Kayla Kana Columbus High School Pole Vault

Harmon McClanahan Portland-Gregory High School Distance

Nick McCloud Tyler Lee High School Hurdles

David McKenzie Katy Taylor High School Pole Vault

Scott Nixon Austin Westlake High School Jumps

Brittainy Robertson Alvin High School Distance

Xavier Rodriguez Poth High School Distance

Brittany Shorter Guyer High School Sprints

Josh Tabors Sanger High School Sprints

Alex Teator Arlington Lamar High School Sprints

Katrina Turner Waco Midway High School Sprints

Macy Wade Crandall High School Pole Vault

Lauren Watts Forney High School Sprints

Randi Wymer Arp High School Distance