GNAC Track and Field

2009-10 Recruits

Montana State Billings

Two-Sport Standout Signs With Yellowjackets (7/6/09)

Kayla Neumiller, a native of Colstrip, Mont., has signed a national letter of intent with Montana State Billings and will compete in both volleyball and track & field for the Yellowjackets.

Neumiller, 5-8, outside hitter, lettered all four years in high school in volleyball and was an all-state selection as a junior and senior. She was a first team all-conference selection for three years and earned state all-tournament honors as a senior. She was tabbed Most Valuable Player in both volleyball and track her senior year.

Neumiller recorded 330 kills, 48 blocks, 83 aces and 406 digs during her senior year and amassed 1,026 kills, 211 aces and 161 blocks in her high school career. She helped lead her team to the division championships in 2007 and a third place finish at state and a runner-up finish at divisionals and a fourth-place finish at state her senior year.

In track, she finished second at state her senior year in the 800 meters and finished third in the high jump. She tallied personal bests in the 800 (2:14.96), 400 (60.55) and high jump (5-1).

"Kayla will make a huge impact on our track and field program and I'm really excited about working with her," MSUB coach Dave Coppock said. "She's a versatile athlete and has competitive marks in the 400 and 800 meters as well as the long jump and high jump.

"Her 800 meters, at 2:14, is outstanding and is under the NCAA Division II National provisional qualifying mark. With her versatility in the field events, the heptathlon would be an area we'll certainly take a look as she progresses here."

Not only did she excel on the field, but also in the classroom as she was a valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA. She was Student Council President, a member of National Honor Society, a Wendy's Heisman Award state finalist and school winner, as well as being named academic all-state all four years in both volleyball and track.

Northwest Nazarene

Crusaders Add Six Athletes To Track and Field Roster (8/3/09)

Six athletes have signed letters of commitment to attend Northwest Nazarene and compete for the Crusader track & field teams.

Signing with the Crusaders are Chelsea Barr (Nampa, ID), Jessica Case (Troy, ID), Carly Dranginis (Nampa, ID), Brandon Humble (Middleton, ID), Elmer Williams (Deer Park, WA) and Bruno Bennett (Harrison, ID).

Barr, who graduated from Nampa Christian High School this spring, joins the Crusader track squad as one of the most decorated high school athletes in Idaho high school history. She won four straight Idaho 2A state championships in the pole vault setting a new state record in 2A competition each year.

During the 2009 state championships, Barr ran and jumped to three individual state titles, posting victories in the 100 (12.75), 200 (25.70), and the pole vault at 11-9, playing a key role as her Nampa Christian team captured its fifth straight team title in 2009.

"Chelsea will play a big role in moving the vault program to the top of the conference in the GNAC, and onto the national stage," Spatz said. "Her attitude and work ethic are second to none. She is a huge team player and her addition could help the Lady Crusaders in their bid towards a GNAC conference team title."

Case joins the Crusaders from Troy High School in Troy, Idaho. She joins the NNU sprint squad after a very successful sprint career in the Idaho 1A state championships.

At the 2009 Idaho 1A state championships, she just missed defending her 100 meter title that she won as a junior, finishing second in a time of 13.01. Her 4x100m relay team was also the defending state champions from 2008 and repeated the accomplishment in 2009 winning a second title.

Case also led her 4x200m relay to the state title, and ran a leg on the sprint medley team that finished fourth capping off an outstanding state meet for the Troy senior.

"Jessica will be a big addition to the Crusader sprint squad in the open events and the 4x100m relay where the Lady Crusaders are the reigning GNAC champions," Spatz added. "Jessica has a great passion for the relays and will look to have an impact at the conference level right away. We are very excited to have an athlete of Jessica's ability."

Dranginis, a graduate of Skyview High School in Nampa, will be a two-sport athlete as she will split her time with the Crusader volleyball program. "Carly is exactly the type of thrower that we look for in our throws program," Spatz said. "Carly has made significant progress during her high school career and looks to make some great throws at the college level."

At the Idaho 4A state championships in 2008 she finished fifth in the shot put and fourth in the discus. In 2009 she was the state 4A runner-up in the shot put with a throw of 39-5 and also finished fifth in the discus.

Humble, from Middleton High School in Middleton, Idaho, will become a member of the NNU sprint and relays squad. Running mainly on the Middleton High relay teams during his senior year, Brandon will look to develop his open events from the 100 meters to 400 meters, as well as, the relays at NNU.

"Brandon is a great competitor and will be a strong addition to our sprint squad," Spatz added. "I am very pleased that he has chosen to be a part of our program next year."

Williams, from Deer Park, Wash., will join the Crusader throwers after a successful senior year at Deer Park High under NNU track & field alumnus Cameron Gilbert. During the 2009 season Elmer served as a team captain and earned the Deer Park High Most Inspirational award.

"Elmer's coaches describe him as hard working, and one of the most unselfish athletes they have coached," Spatz reflected. "Elmer will make a great addition to an already strong Crusader throws program."

Bennett, from Kootenai High School in Harrison, Idaho, will join the NNU pole vault squad after a very successful jumping career at Kootenai High. Bruno is a two-time Idaho 1A, District I pole vault champion, having won titles in both 2008 and 2009. He continued his solid performances with a runner-up finish at the 2008 1A state championships (12-0) and a third-place finish (12-6) at the 2009 state finals.

"Bruno is a consistent 13-foot jumper who looks to make some big jumps at the college level," Spatz commented. "We are very excited to have Bruno join the vault program here at NNU. I really expect him to have some great opportunities at this level to develop into a top-level collegiate vaulter."

Four Athletes Select NNU For College Careers (4/2/09)

Matt Rankin, Jesse Baggenstos, Rebecca Holding and Connor Kirkpatrick have all chosen to attend Northwest Nazarene and compete for the Crusader track & field program next year.

Rankin, a senior from Ontario High School (Ore.), has signed to run for both the cross country and track programs.

In cross country Matt finished seventh at the Oregon 4A state championships this past fall in a time of 16:27. He won the Greater Oregon League (GOL) district meet in 16:40, with the district victory marking his third straight district title in cross country.

In his junior season on the track, Matt finished 10th at the state meet in the 1500-meters in a time of 4:10.77 and 10th in the 3000-meters with a time of 9:14.18. He won both events at the GOL district meet, the 3,000-meters for the third-straight year and the 1500-meters for the second-straight year.

"We are very excited about Matt deciding to join our team here at NNU next fall," Spatz commented. "He is a very hard working athlete and will help to provide depth to our cross country and track teams over his career."

Baggenstos joins the Crusaders from Renton, Wash. "Jesse has only ran for the past two cross country seasons, but has already posted some good times," Spatz added. "He has a bright future ahead of him and we are very excited that he will be a part of our team next year."

Not only a great athlete, Jesse brings many other qualities to NNU. He is the first National Merit Scholarship award winner NNU cross country and track has signed and carries a 4.00 GPA, looking to major in Engineering at NNU.

"Jesse has great leadership skills and will fit right in with the team dynamics," Spatz commented. "He brings with him tremendous work ethic and determination which is evident in his school work and running."

Holding from Damascus Christian High School (Ore.) is a welcome addition to the hurdle corps and combined events groups at NNU.

"Rebecca will have a very positive impact on the program and should be able to compete at the GNAC conference level right away," Spatz adds. "Rebecca missed all of 2008 due to injury, but has come back strong for her senior year posting a 300-meter Hurdles time of 47.64."

As a sophomore at the Oregon 1A state championships, Rebecca placed second in the 100-Hurdles, fifth in the 300-Hurdles, ran a leg on the 4 x 100 relay that finished third, and a leg on the 4 x 400 relay team that finished fourth.

Having also competed in a number of heptathlon's, beginning with the Junior Olympics and continuing on through the USATF Regional and National Championships, she has a best mark of just under 4,000 points in the combined events.

"We are very excited that Rebecca has chosen to become a part of the team here at NNU," Spatz noted. "Rebecca is exactly the type of student-athlete that we are looking for. Her desire to compete and to continually improve should take her to the top during her time here."

Kirkpatrick, from Cascade Christian High School in Oregon, will join a very solid group of returners and new recruits on the NNU sprint squad.

"Connor is a hard working and dedicated student-athlete that is sure to see success at the next level," Spatz adds. "His great attitude and commitment to being the best should see him play an important role in both the relays and his individual events. "

Connor had a very successful junior year at both his district championship and the Oregon 3A state championship meets. He was runner-up at the district meet in both the 100 and 200-meters and at the state meet he advanced to the finals in the 100 and 200, where he finished seventh and sixth, respectively.

He also ran legs on the second-place 4 x 100 relay and the second-place 4 x 400 relay. His 2008 top marks were 11.40 (100m), 23.30 (200m) and 52.33 (400m).

"Connor has set some high goals for 2009 which should find him at the top the state in each of his events," Spatz continued.

Crusaders Sign Two For Cross Country, Track (2/14/09)

Barak Watson and Jordan Powell have each signed a National Letters of Intent and will compete in cross country and track and field for Northwest Nazarene. Both are seniors at Nampa's Columbia High School.

Watson was named the 2008 Idaho Gatorade Cross Country Athlete of the Year and won seven of the nine high school cross country races he competed in this past fall.

"Signing Barak is very exciting for our program and I think says a lot for the direction we have been going and the types of athletes we are attracting," NNU assistant coach Ben Gall said. "He is going to make an immediate impact for our team at the GNAC, regional, and I believe, national level."

"Barak is the type of young man that every coach dreams of having," added Columbia head coach Lincoln Hagood. " He works tremendously hard to be the best athlete and best person that he can be. Basically he has the type of character that you wish e very young person would emulate."

Powell has finished in the Top 10 at the Idaho 4A state cross country championships for three straight seasons and was the state runner-up on the track in the 3200 meters as a junior.

"Jordan is going to fit in really well with our existing team," Gall added. "I think she will make an immediate impact on our team at both the conference level both in cross country and track."

Barak Watson (Freshman, Nampa, Idaho): High School: Won seven cross country races as a senior, including the Idaho 4A District III (15:49) and Idaho 4A state titles.Posted the fastest time of the day in any division at the Idaho state cross country championships with 15:39.Posted 15:26 at the Nike regional championships on the same course two weeks later, placing second.Quailfied for the Nike national championships in Portland, Ore., finishing 27 th nationally (15:48).Won the state championships in the 3200-meters and was the runner-up in the 1600-meters as a junior.Holds the Idaho District III 4A state record in the 3200-meters. Personal: Has only competed one year on the track (junior year) and one season in cross country (as a senior).Was awarded the Bronze and Silver Congressional Awards and is on schedule to receive the Gold Congressional Award in March of 2009.An active member of the Columbia Bible Church.Has over six years of experience playing the violin.

Jordan Powell (Freshman, Nampa, Idaho): High School: Jordan finished fourth at Idaho 4A cross country state championships as a sophomore (19:45), ninth as a junior (19:41) and eighth (19:23) as a senior.On the track she finished eighth (5:31) in the 1600-meters as a junior and third in the 3200-meters (11:45).As a sophomore she finished fifth (5:23) in the 1600-meters and second in the 3200-meters (11:43.55), just .3 seconds off of a state title.As a freshman she was ninth (5:41) in the 1600-meters and seventh (12:09.70) in the 3200-meters.

Ramirez To Play Basketball, Compete in Track for NNU (11/26/08)

Maria Ramirez has signed a National Letter-of-Intent to attend Northwest Nazarene and compete in basketball and track and field for the Crusaders.

Ramirez, a 5-9 senior from La Pine, Ore., is a two-time first-team all-Sky Em League basketball selection and averaged 8.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 3.1 steals per game as a junior.

"At 5-9, Maria brings a little different look for us at the point guard position," NNU coach Kelli Lindley said. "With her height, athleticism, and good understanding of the game, she has potential to immediately make an impact at the point.

"She sees the floor extremely well and is the type of player who will make her teammates better. We look forward to having her be a part of Crusader basketball."

Also a standout on the track, Ramirez will compete for the Crusader track & field team in the middle distance events.

An Oregon 4A all-state track & field selection in both 2007 and 2008, she finished third in the 1500 meters (4:52.39) and fourth in the 800 meters (2:20.15) at the 2008 Oregon 4A state championships.

Maria has been an all-Sky Em track & field first-team member all three years of high school and finished fourth in the 1500 meters (4:52.12) and fifth in the 800 meters (2:18.91) as a sophomore at the state meet.

Western Washington

Two State Champions Sign With Vikings (6/23/09)

Three recent high school graduates including two state champion track and field athletes have signed national letters of intent with Western Washington University.

The recruits include distance runner Charles "Chip" Jackson from Shorewood High School, sprinter Chris Ruether from Cashmere High School and thrower Nelson Westlin from Sehome High School .

Jackson moved from soccer to running as a junior at Shorewood and placed 15th at the Washington Class 4A state cross country meet as a senior. In track, he finished 12th at state in the 3,200 meters, and has personal bests of 9:20.11 in the 3,200 and 4:23.62 in the 1,600.

Ruether ran the third leg on Cashmere's championship 4x400 relay at this year's Class 1A state meet. He placed second at state in the 200 and fourth in the 100. His personal best times are 11.12 in the 100 and 22.60 in the 200. Ruether's grandfather, Steve Richardson, was an All-America football player at Western in 1966.

Westlin was the 2009 Class 2A state champion in the discus with a state record throw, and placed second in the shot put. He has personal bests of 175-11 in the discus and 58-8 in the shot put.

2008-09 Recruits

Alaska Anchorage

Anchorage Duo Signs To Run for Seawolves (7/17/08)

Two top local running prospects have signed to compete for the University of Alaska Anchorage. Signing National Letters of Intent are Mychaela Bailey, who will compete in both cross country and track for the Seawolves, and Lauren Laichak, who will focus solely on track.

"It's great to see our best Alaskans wanting to come and run for us," said UAA coach Michael Friess, whose cross country roster boasts 14 in-state products.

Bailey, who competed in cross country and track for Service High School , was a standout on the track for the Cougars. She took the 2008 Cook Inlet Conference 1,600-meter title with a time of 5:25.36 seconds, following that with a third-place showing at the ASAA State Championships with a season-best time of 5:16.6.

Bailey also ran the 800 meters, placing third in the CIC with a season-best time of 2:24.7 seconds and seventh at the state meet in 2:26.6.

"Mychaela's region title in the 1,600 certainly shows us she has potential to be successful at the college level," Friess said.

Laichak, a four-year letterwinner in track at Dimond High School, helped lead a young Lynx girls squad to both the 2008 CIC and state track & field titles with a sweep of the two hurdle events and by running legs on two title-winning relay teams at each meet.

Laichak posted season-best times of 15.58 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles and 46.76 in 300-meter hurdles to best the field at the state meet, while also running strong legs on Dimond's state-best 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams.

Seawolves Sign Alaska Standouts, Australian (6/17/08)

Two of the state's top prep runners and a standout transfer from Australia will compete for the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2008-09.

Signing NLIs were Anchorage's Jaime Bronga and Will Estes, while James Pettigrew from Melbourne has signed a scholarship agreement to transfer to UAA. The three newcomers will compete in both cross country and track & field for the Seawolves.

Bronga, who competed at East Anchorage High School, produced a pair of Top 10 results at the recent 2008 Alaska State High School Track & Field Championships, placing fifth in the 3200 meters and seventh in the 1600 meters. The 2008 Cook Inlet Conference runner-up in the 3200 behind future UAA teammate Shoshana Keegan, Bronga ran to a seventh-place result at the 2007 state cross country championships.

A three-time all-state selection in Nordic skiing, Bronga will also compete on the Seawolves' ski team. At the 2008 state championship meet Bronga swept the 5K freestyle and 7.5K classical events earning the girls Skimeister award. As a junior she was the state runner-up in the 5K classic and fifth in the 7.5K freestyle. Bronga helped lead the Thunderbirds to third-place team results at state the last two seasons.

Estes, who attended West Anchorage High School, captured the 2008 Cook Inlet Conference title in the 3200 by running to a winning time of 10:02.39. Third in the 1600 at this past season's regional track meet, Estes went on to place ninth in the 1600 at the state championships. On the cross country trails last fall Estes finished seventh at the state championship meet.

Pettigrew comes to UAA after a stint at RMIT University in Melbourne, where he just completed his Bachelor's of Science degree in construction management. An accomplished runner in the 800 meters and 1500 meters, his personal-best time of 1:50.38 in the 800 would have won the GNAC title last season and placed him fifth at NCAAs.

In 2007 he placed fourth in the 800 at Australia's premier distance event - the Zatopek Classic. Pettigrow, who'll be pursuing his Master's degree at UAA, has one year of eligibility with the Seawolves.

Seawolves Add Two Talented Runners To Recruit Class (2/20/08)

Anchorage's Shoshana Keegan and Canadian Thomas Hill have signed National Letters of Intent to attend Alaska Anchorage and complete for the Seawolves. Both athletes will compete in both cross country and track at UAA.

One of the top female runners in the state of Alaska, Keegan led West Anchorage High School to its first-ever state title in cross country in 2007, placing a team-best fourth overall. A two-time state runner-up in cross country (2006 and 2005), she also finished fourth at the state meet as a freshman.

Keegan is a three-time participant at the Footlocker West Cross Country Regionals, placing 59th at the prestigious meet in 2005, 87th in 2006 and 65th last year.

Presently a student at Steller High School, Keegan produced a pair of Top 10 results at the Alaska track and field championships last season, finishing 7th in the 1600 meter run and 10th in the 3200.

The second men's runner to commit to the Seawolves during the current signing period, Hill is projected to compete in the 800 through 5,000 meters in track as well as cross country.

The Thunder Bay, Ontario, product placed 3rd in the 800 at the 2006 Canadian Legion National Track Championships and 34th at the 2007 Ontario High School Cross Country Championships, clocking a time of 22:19 on the 7K course.

A two-time qualifier for the Ontario Track and Field Championships, the St. Ignatius High runner's personal-best time of 1:57.42 in the 800 would already rank him fifth on UAA's all-time performance list, while his time of 4:04.14 in the 1500 would already set him eighth all-time.

Alaskan, Canadian Sign With Seawolves (2/13/08)

Jacob Parisien (Palmer) and Stephanie Trenholm (Campbell River, B.C.) have signed National Letters of Intent to compete Alaska Anchorage beginning in the Fall of 2008.

Parisien placed third at the 2007 Alaska 4A State Cross Country Championships helping lead Palmer's boys to a fourth-place team finish. One of the top senior runners in Alaska and the West Coast, Parisien was the top Alaskan finisher at the 2007 Footlocker West Cross Country Championships, placing 26th .

In 2005 he placed runner-up at the state cross country championships and won the Footlocker West sophomore race.

Trenholm (Timberline Secondary School) placed fifth in the 800-meter run for Team British Columbia at the 2007 Western Canada Summer Games. In 2005 she finished second at the Royal Candian Legion National Track & Field Championships in the 1500. She was also the British Columbia champion in the 800 and runner-up in the 1500 for her age group in 2005.

The Canadian, who is projected to compete in everything from the 400 meters up through cross country, has recorded personal-best times of 2:15.42 in the 800 and 4:40.03 in the 1500. Her time in the 1500 is nearly two seconds better than the current NCAA Division II provisional national championships qualifying standard.

Montana State Billings

MSUB Adds Sprinter From Laurel (6/6/08)

Justine Simons, from Laurel, Mont., has signed a national letter of intent to compete in track and field at Montana State University Billings.

"Justine is one of the best sprinters in the state, in all classes, and we're very fortunate to have her join our track and field program," MSUB coach Dave Coppock said. "She'll have an immediate impact on our team and will certainly be a conference championship contender next season.

"She has a good range from the 100 to 400 meters and will really help us in a lot of areas. She's a top-notch student as well, and I'm really looking forward to working with her."

Simons, a native of Laurel, ran track and played volleyball at Laurel High School where she lettered four years in track and volleyball. Simons was named Most Outstanding Sprinter for four years and was a state A finisher since 2006. She finished second in the 100 and 200 meters and had a third place finish in the 400 in this spring's Class A state meet.

Yellowjackets Add Runner To Recruiting Class (4/23/08)

Michael Hildebrand has signed a national letter of intent to compete in cross country and track and field at Montana State University Billings.

"Michael is a talented 400/800 meter runner and a very good student as well," MSUB coach Dave Coppock said. "He has a good range and can give us some much needed help in the middle distances and the long relay. He'll also be competing on the cross country team in the fall which should really help him build a good base for the track season."

Hildebrand, a native of Powell, Wyo., ran track and played basketball and football at Powell High School where he lettered three years in basketball and football and four years in track. He was an all-state and all-conference selection in track in 2006 and 2007 as well as earning all-conference, all-state and Most Valuable Player in basketball in 2007 and 2008.

During his senior year, Hildebrand ran the 800 meters in 1:59 and the 400 meters in 51.66 and helped lead the 4X800 meter relay team and the 4X400 team to state titles. He also placed second in state in the 800m and third in the 400m. In addition, his team was state champions in track in both 2006 and 2007.

Northwest Nazarene

Crusaders Sign 16 to National Letters (7/25/08)

Sixteen student-athletes have signed National Letters-of-Intent to attend Northwest Nazarene and compete for the Crusaders in either track and field and/or cross country.

Five Treasure Valley products lead the group of recruits, beginning with Luke Hetrick of Greenleaf Academy and three Nampa Christian High School products in Jason Towery, Danielle Beesley and Megan Oberst. Rounding out the group of local distance runners is Neil Easter of Nampa’s Columbia High School. Adding a sixth distance recruit is Alex Crystal of Kimberly High School (Idaho).

The Crusaders are also adding six athletes in the sprint, jumps and hurdles areas of competition in Taeshaun Brown of Thomas Dale High School in Virginia, Edward Bartlow from Pomeroy High School (Wash.), Kegan Lassiter of Cody High School (Wyo.), Anna Knapp of Arco High School (Idaho), Heather Pence of Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Wash., and Molly Reid of Jerome High School (Idaho).

A quartet of field event competitors join the Crusaders in Kristine Larson of West Salem High School (Ore.), Lakiesha Nilles of King’s West High School (Poulsbo, Wash.), Joy Warrington of Widefield High School in
Colorado Springs, Colo. Erika Rempel will transfer back to NNU from the University of Arizona.

Seattle Pacific

Falcons Add Coos Bay Athlete To Recruiting Class

Alison Worthen, a standout track & field athlete from Coos Bay, Ore., has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete for Seattle Pacific University next year.

Worthen is a two time state high jump champion and also won last year's 300m hurdles. v "She's one of the most dominant high school athletes in Oregon right now," said SPU Head Coach Karl Lerum, who was recently named the West Region Indoor Track & Field Coach of the year by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. "She will be an exciting addition to next year's squad."

Worthen joins one of the most storied running programs in the country in Seattle Pacific. The Falcons produced 22 National Champions and 158 All-Americans in their 57-year history.

Western Washington

Eight Prep Standouts Sign With Vikings (6/26/08)

Eight high school seniors have signed national letters of intent to compete for Western Washington University, including two state champions - sprinter Eleanor Siler from Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane and jumper Emily Warman from Sedro-Woolley High School.

Siler was a two-time Class 4A state champion in the Girls 400 meters with a best time of 55.62. She also placed second at state in the 200 (25.01). Warman, who will also play soccer at WWU, was the Class 3A state champion in the girls long jump with a mark of 18-2 1/4 and was fourth in the triple jump with a mark of 37-5 (personal best 38-8).

Other signees include decathlete Tim Clendaniel from Bothell High School, sprinter Chantel Green from Ferndale High School, hurdler Andrew Gray from Skyline High School in Sammamish, distance runner Phoebe Hartnett from Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, Calif., distance runner Kirsten Moore from Carlsbad (Calif.) High School and sprinter/jumper Callie Muri from Billings West High School in Billings, Mont.

Muri placed fourth at state in the girls triple jump, fifth in the long jump and sixth in the 100. The Midland Roundtable Athlete of the Year, she also ran legs on the state champion 4x100 and 4x400 relays.

Gray finished third at the Class 3A state championships in the boys 110 hurdles with a 14.80 clocking and Green was fourth at the Class 2A state meet in the girls 200, setting a school record with a time of 25.36. Clendaniel placed second at the 2008 Washington State Decathlon Championships.

Previous Recruits