UNT track & field’s incoming class rich on talent

by PegNews wire

The Mean Green track & field team refueled its roster this offseason with the signing of 13 athletes to National Letters of Intent. The nine men and four women will boost the Mean Green distance squads, while also adding quality sprinters and jumpers to its ranks.

“We are really excited to have such a talented class coming in,” said head coach Rick Watkins. “All of these athletes excel on the track, but each of them are academically solid as well.”

The Mean Green men inked nine athletes, adding much needed all-around depth to the squad that finished fifth at the Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championships in May. The women shored up its distance needs, as well as added a trio of sprinters.

MEN

Jamor Hercules, Canarsie HS, Brooklyn, NY (Sprints) – Recorded a fourth place finish in the 2007 New York Championships in 100M ... Was ranked the No. 6 Sprinter in New York during the 2007 indoor season.

Reginald Hayter, DeSoto HS, DeSoto, TX (400-800) – Was the Class 5A Region-I Champion in the 800 meters, and finished fifth at the UIL Class 5A State Championships with a time of 1:53.76 ... Also ran on the Class 5A State Champion 4x400 relay, which notched a time of 3:11.83 ... A versatile athlete, Hayter was a three-year letterman in soccer ... Will focus on the 800, 400 and relay events at North Texas.

Andrew Sumner, Jarrell HS, Jerrell, TX (Mid-Distance) – One of Jerrell’s top all-around, Sumner lettered in five sports for the Cougars ... Was a two-time qualifier to the UIL State Class 2A Championships in the 800 meter run ... Earned three trips to the 2A State Cross-country Championships, finishing fourth in 2006 ... Was an all-state guard on the Jerrell basketball team, which advanced to the State Tournament in 2005 and 2006 ... In baseball, Sumner was an All-District center fielder on the baseball team, and an All-District cornerback and receiver in Football.

Joey Manning, Mansfield HS, Mansfield, TX (Distance) – Represented Mansfield at the Class-5A State Cross Country Meet in 2006, finishing 14th ... Was the runner-up at the District 4-5A Cross-Country Championships in 2006.

Jermaine Jamison, Harker Heights HS, Killeen, TX (Jumps) – Two-time qualifier at the Texas Class 5A State Championship meet in the high jump ... Set a best jump at Harker Heights of 6-feet 8-inches ... A multi-sport athlete, Jamison was an All-District wide receiver and basketball player for the Knights.

Montrell Pyron, Terrell HS, Terrell, TX (400/800) – Brought home the District 10-4A gold medal in the 400 meters ... Was the fourth place finisher in the 4A Region-II Championships in the open 400, and also ran on the 4x400 Relay for Terrell ... Will focus on the 800, 400 and relay events for the Mean Green.

Lane Farmer, Allen HS, Allen, TX (Jumps) – Was the two-time District 9-5A Champion in the high jump ... Posted a career best jump in 2007 of 6-feet 8¼-inches.

Michael Grayson, Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, TX (Sprints) – A standout in the classroom as well as the track, Grayson graduated Cum Laude at Prestonwood Christian Academy ...Was the 2006 TAAPS 5A State Champion in the 100 meters, and the runner-up in the 100 meters in 2007 ... Also ran on the TAAPS 5A State runner-up 4x100 relay ... Posted a career-best time of 10.60 in the 100 meters.

Reggie McArthur, Trinity Christian Academy, Cedar Hill, TX (Sprints) – Was a member of the TAAPS 4A State Champion 4x100 relay at Trinity Christian Academy in Cedar Hill ... Was also the runner-up in the 100 Meter Dash at the TAPPS State Meet ... Posted a career-best time of 10.65 in the 100 Meters.

WOMEN

Jerwan Craddock, Lancaster HS, Lancaster, TX (Sprints) – Finished runner-up at the Region-II 4A Championships and fourth in the UIL Class 4A State Championships in the 200 Meters with a career-best mark of 24.26 ... Also ran on the State Champion 4x100 and 4x200 relays for Lancaster High School, which won its 7th consecutive State championship in 2007.

Kelli Johnson, Converse Jusdon HS, Converse, TX (Sprints/Jumps) – Was the Class 5A Region-II champion in the 100 meters ... Ran on the Regional Champion 4x100 and 4x200 relays, qualifying for the State Championships in three events ... Finished seventh in the 100 Meters at the 5A State Championships ... Also competed in the long and triple jumps, with top marks in 2007 of 19-feet and 39-feet 4¼-inches respectively.

Emily Sotello, Crowley HS Crowley, TX (Distance) – Was the district 8-4A Champion in the 3200 and 1600 meter runs, and was also the 8-4A Cross-Country District Champion ... Posted career best marks of 11:27 and 5:20 in the two-mile and mile respectively ... Also played on the Regional Finalist soccer team at Crowley, and was a three-time first team all-district soccer player.

Lolitha Hamilton , Lincoln Hs, Dallas, TX (Sprints) – Was a key member of the UIL State Meet Runner-up 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays for Dallas Lincoln High School.

Source: UNT