Indiana State Cross Country/Track and Field announces 2023 signing class
Friday, August 4 2023
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State Cross Country and Track and Field Program Director Angela Martin announced the Sycamores' full 2023 signing class Friday.
The incoming signing class consists of 39 student-athletes, with 21 women and 18 men joining the program in advance of the 2023-24 season. 24 of the 39 newcomers are Indiana natives, with Illinois (10), Missouri (three), Kentucky (one) and the Virgin Islands (one) also represented in the class.
"Our staff is really excited to have the opportunity to work with this incoming class," Martin said. "We have numerous state champions, state placers and even a state record holder joining our championship team culture. Both our men's and women's teams have improved in the offseason, and our newcomers will compete for conference places and national qualifying positions right away."
The 39 newcomers join a Sycamore program that swept the MVC Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the second straight year. Indiana State also earned top-three finishes on the women's side at both MVC Championships. The Sycamores' 15 NCAA East First Round entries were the most for the program since 2015, with two student-athletes earning spots in the NCAA Outdoor National Championships and one qualifying for the NCAA Indoor National Championships.
MEN
Nathan Burns // Distance // Mooresville, Ind. // Mooresville HS
PRs: 1600m – 4:18.50 // 3200m – 9:33.79 // 5k (XC) – 15:42.70
Tommy Claxton // Distance // Goshen, Ind. // Goshen HS
PRs: 1600m – 4:19.56 // 3200m – 9:23.81 // 5k (XC) – 15:42.00
Angel Dickerson // Sprints/Long Jump // Camdenton, Mo. // Camdenton HS
PRs: 100m – 10.44 // 200m – 21.20 // LJ – 7.47m/24-06.25
Parker Doyle // Hurdles // Greenwood, Ind. // Center Grove HS
PRs: 60mH – 8.14 // 110mH – 14.32 // 300mH – 37.78
Caden Emmert // Mid-Distance // Sycamore, Ill. // Sycamore HS
PRs: 200m – 22.52 // 400m – 50.3 // 800m – 1:54.96
Ryan Handy // Distance // Zionsville, Ind. // Zionsville HS
PRs: 800m – 1:54.05 // Mile – 4:21.34 // 1600m – 4:20.58 // 3200m – 9:30.13 // 5k (XC) – 15:38.3
Casey Hood Jr. // Sprints // Columbia, Mo. // Rock Bridge HS
PRs: 60m – 6.81 // 100m – 10.37 // 200m – 21.18
Eric McClelland // Distance // Quincy, Ill. // Quincy HS
PRs: 800m – 1:56.57 // 1600m – 4:30.63 // 3-mile (XC) – 15:33.3
Parker Mimbela // Distance // Greenwood, Ind. // Center Grove HS
PRs: 1600m – 4:22.18 // 3000m – 9:04.74 // 3200m – 9:14.81 // 5000m – 14:58 // 5k (XC) – 15:23
Mitchel Myers // Throws // Arcola, Ill. // Arcola HS
PRs: SP – 17.41m/57-01.50 // DT – 56.34m/184-10.50
Jake Ottersbach // Multi // Henryville, Ind. // Charlestown HS
PRs: 110mH – 14.12 // 300mH – 39.21 // HJ – 1.93m/6-04.00 // LJ – 6.75m/22-01.75
Zach Powell // Mid-Distance // Springfield, Ill. // Pleasant Plains HS
PRs: 400m – 49.22 // 800m – 1:57 // HJ – 1.91m/6-03.25
Zenon Rule // Multi // Peoria, Ill. // Richwoods HS
PRs: 110mH – 15.40 // PV – 4.34m/14-03.25 // LJ – 6.29m/20-07.75 // Decathlon: 5615
Jaden Smith // Jumps // Louisville, Ky. // Pleasure Ridge Park HS
PRs: HJ – 1.87m/6-02.00 // LJ – 6.52m/21-05.00 // TJ – 14.85m/48-09.00
Graham West // Hurdles // Indianapolis, Ind. // Ben Davis HS
PRs: 60mH – 8.47 // 110mH – 14.68 // 300mH – 39.01
Xavier Wills // Mid-Distance // Indianapolis, Ind. // Warren Central HS // Butler
PRs: 800m – 1:52.69 // 600m – 1:22.67
Ryan York // Distance // Cedar Lake, Ind. // Hanover Central HS
PRs: 800m – 1:55.84 // 1600m – 4:18.75 // 3200m – 9:14.17 // 5k (XC) – 15:47
WOMEN
Brittney Burak // Distance // Huntley, Ill. // Huntley HS
PRs: 1600m – 5:07 // 3200m – 10:59 // 5k (XC) – 18:17 // 3-mile (XC) – 17:19
Rachel Conhoff // Distance // Christiansted, Virgin Islands // Good Hope Country Day School // Ursinus
PRs: 800 – 2:14.48 // 1500 – 4:3.530 // 5k – 17:55.14 // Steeplechase – 11:21.78 // 6k (XC) – 22:25
Noelle Dilosa // Long Sprints // Schererville, Ind. // Lake Central HS
PRs: 400m – 58.14
Kayla Douglas // Multi // South Bend, Ind. // John Adams HS
PRs: 100mH – 15.30 // HJ – 1.62m/5-04.00 // LJ – 4.81m/15-09.50
Krysten Fehribach // Multi // Paoli, Ind. // Paoli HS
PRs: 100mH – 15.24 // 300mH – 45.39 // HJ – 1.72m/5-07.75
Jalisa Fuller // Long Sprints // Lawrence, Ind. // Lawrence Central HS
PRs: 400m – 1:01.0 // 800m – 2:33
Aliseonna Garnett // Throws // Indianapolis, Ind. // Decatur Central HS
PRs: SP – 12.57m/41-03.25 // DT – 38.25m/125-06
Michelle Gasmund // Distance // Rockford, Ill. // Guilford HS
PRs: 400m – 1:00.56 // 800m – 2:17.53 // 1600m – 5:26.03 // 5k (XC) – 19:08 // HJ – 1.57m/5-02.00
Lillian Gibbs // Javelin // Cape Girardeau, Mo. // Jackson HS
PRs: SP – 9.04m/29-08.00 // DT – 37.64m/123-06 // JT – 45.02m/147-08
Kamilla Gibson // Distance // Lafayette, Ind. // Lafayette Jefferson HS
PRs: 800m – 2:17.73 // 1600m – 5:19.99 // 5k (XC) – 19:22
Hadley Gradolf // Distance // Nashville, Ind. // Brown County HS
PRs: 800m – 2:21 // 1600m – 5:25 // 3200m – 11:29 // 5k (XC) – 18:41
Emma Gresham // Distance // Lynnville, Ind. // Boonville HS
PRs: 1600m – 5:05 // 3200m – 11:30 // 5k (XC) – 18:52
Jazzalynne Hicks // Throws // Bement, Ill. // Cerro Gordo-Bement HS
PRs: SP – 12.31m/40-04.75 // DT – 35.69m/117-01.50
Nevaeh Jones // High Jump // Danville, Ill. // Danville HS
PRs: HJ – 1.58m/5-02.25
Rachel Mehringer // Hurdles // Schnellville, Ind. // Forest Park HS
PRs: 60m – 7.72 // 60mH – 8.45 // 100m – 12.04 // 100mH – 13.38 // 300mH – 42.72 // HJ – 1.47m/4-10.00 // LJ – 5.53m/18-02.00
Kennedy Merrell // Pole Vault // Zionsville, Ind. // Zionsville HS
PRs: PV – 3.73m/12-03.00
Halle Miller // Distance // Brazil, Ind. // Northview HS
PRs: 800m – 2:22 // 1600m – 5:15 // 5k (XC) – 18:55
Robyn Schemel // Distance // Westfield, Ind. // Westfield HS
PRs: 1600m – 5:32 / 5k (XC) – 19:33
Brenna Sobecki // Distance // LaPorte, Ind. // LaPorte HS
PRs: 1600m – 5:15 // 5000m – 18:37 // 5k (XC) – 19:07
Shanisa Stinson // Hurdles // Chicago, Ill // South Shore International Prep // Eastern Illinois
PRs: 60m – 7.90 // 60mH – 8.59 // 100mH – 13.85 // 400mH – 1:03.28 // LJ – 5.34m/17-06.25
Angel Thomas // Sprints // South Bend, Ind. // John Adams HS
60m – 7.62 // 100m – 11.65 // 200m – 25.34 // LJ – 5.27m/17-03.50
Cynthia Tush // Pole Vault // Rushville, Ind. // Rushville HS
PRs: PV – 3.27m/10-09.00
The incoming signing class consists of 39 student-athletes, with 21 women and 18 men joining the program in advance of the 2023-24 season. 24 of the 39 newcomers are Indiana natives, with Illinois (10), Missouri (three), Kentucky (one) and the Virgin Islands (one) also represented in the class.
"Our staff is really excited to have the opportunity to work with this incoming class," Martin said. "We have numerous state champions, state placers and even a state record holder joining our championship team culture. Both our men's and women's teams have improved in the offseason, and our newcomers will compete for conference places and national qualifying positions right away."
The 39 newcomers join a Sycamore program that swept the MVC Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the second straight year. Indiana State also earned top-three finishes on the women's side at both MVC Championships. The Sycamores' 15 NCAA East First Round entries were the most for the program since 2015, with two student-athletes earning spots in the NCAA Outdoor National Championships and one qualifying for the NCAA Indoor National Championships.
MEN
Nathan Burns // Distance // Mooresville, Ind. // Mooresville HS
PRs: 1600m – 4:18.50 // 3200m – 9:33.79 // 5k (XC) – 15:42.70
- 17th at the 2022 IHSAA Cross Country State Championship
- IHSAA State Championship qualifier in the 1600m
Tommy Claxton // Distance // Goshen, Ind. // Goshen HS
PRs: 1600m – 4:19.56 // 3200m – 9:23.81 // 5k (XC) – 15:42.00
- 33rd at the 2022 IHSAA Cross Country State Championship
- 14th in the 1600m at the 2023 IHSAA State Championship
Angel Dickerson // Sprints/Long Jump // Camdenton, Mo. // Camdenton HS
PRs: 100m – 10.44 // 200m – 21.20 // LJ – 7.47m/24-06.25
- 2023 Missouri Class 5A State Champion in the 100m and 200m
- Runner-Up in the long jump at the 2023 Missouri Class 5A State Championship
Parker Doyle // Hurdles // Greenwood, Ind. // Center Grove HS
PRs: 60mH – 8.14 // 110mH – 14.32 // 300mH – 37.78
- 2023 IHSAA State Champion in the 300m hurdles
- 2023 IHSAA State Championship qualifier in the 110m hurdles
Caden Emmert // Mid-Distance // Sycamore, Ill. // Sycamore HS
PRs: 200m – 22.52 // 400m – 50.3 // 800m – 1:54.96
- Fifth in the 800m at the 2023 Illinois Class 2A State Championship
- Part of Sycamore's 4x400m relay team that placed sixth at the state championship
Ryan Handy // Distance // Zionsville, Ind. // Zionsville HS
PRs: 800m – 1:54.05 // Mile – 4:21.34 // 1600m – 4:20.58 // 3200m – 9:30.13 // 5k (XC) – 15:38.3
- 26th at the 2022 IHSAA Cross Country State Championship
- 2023 IHSAA State Championship qualifier in the 800m and 4x400m relay
- Part of Zionsville's 4x800m relay team that was state runner-up in 2023
Casey Hood Jr. // Sprints // Columbia, Mo. // Rock Bridge HS
PRs: 60m – 6.81 // 100m – 10.37 // 200m – 21.18
- Runner-Up in the 200m at the 2023 Missouri Class 5A State Championship
- Runner-Up in the 100m at the 2022 Missouri Class 5A State Championship
Eric McClelland // Distance // Quincy, Ill. // Quincy HS
PRs: 800m – 1:56.57 // 1600m – 4:30.63 // 3-mile (XC) – 15:33.3
- 2023 Illinois Class 3A State Championship qualifier in the 800m
- 2023 Illinois Class 3A Cross Country State Championship qualifier
Parker Mimbela // Distance // Greenwood, Ind. // Center Grove HS
PRs: 1600m – 4:22.18 // 3000m – 9:04.74 // 3200m – 9:14.81 // 5000m – 14:58 // 5k (XC) – 15:23
- Won the 2022 Adidas National Championship in the 5000m
- Top-25 finish at the 2021 IHSAA Cross Country State Championship
Mitchel Myers // Throws // Arcola, Ill. // Arcola HS
PRs: SP – 17.41m/57-01.50 // DT – 56.34m/184-10.50
- 2023 Illinois Class 1A State Runner-Up in the shot put
- 2023 Illinois Class 1A State Runner-Up in the discus
Jake Ottersbach // Multi // Henryville, Ind. // Charlestown HS
PRs: 110mH – 14.12 // 300mH – 39.21 // HJ – 1.93m/6-04.00 // LJ – 6.75m/22-01.75
- Third in the 110m hurdles at the 2023 IHSAA State Championship
- Also qualified for the state championship in the 300m hurdles and long jump
Zach Powell // Mid-Distance // Springfield, Ill. // Pleasant Plains HS
PRs: 400m – 49.22 // 800m – 1:57 // HJ – 1.91m/6-03.25
- 2022 Illinois Class 1A State Champion in the 400m
- Part of relay teams that qualified for the 2021 and 2022 Illinois Class 1A State Championship
Zenon Rule // Multi // Peoria, Ill. // Richwoods HS
PRs: 110mH – 15.40 // PV – 4.34m/14-03.25 // LJ – 6.29m/20-07.75 // Decathlon: 5615
- Second in the decathlon at the USATF Region 7 Junior Olympic Championship
- Illinois Class 2A State Championship qualifier in the 110m hurdles and pole vault
Jaden Smith // Jumps // Louisville, Ky. // Pleasure Ridge Park HS
PRs: HJ – 1.87m/6-02.00 // LJ – 6.52m/21-05.00 // TJ – 14.85m/48-09.00
- 2023 Kentucky Class 3A State Champion in the triple jump
- Also won the regional championship in the triple jump
Graham West // Hurdles // Indianapolis, Ind. // Ben Davis HS
PRs: 60mH – 8.47 // 110mH – 14.68 // 300mH – 39.01
- Fifth in the 300m hurdles at the 2023 IHSAA State Championship
- 2023 IHSAA State Championship qualifier in the 110m hurdles
Xavier Wills // Mid-Distance // Indianapolis, Ind. // Warren Central HS // Butler
PRs: 800m – 1:52.69 // 600m – 1:22.67
- Part of Butler's 4x800m relay team that placed fifth at the Big East Indoor Championship
- Part of 4x400m relay unit that finished fifth at the 2022 state championships and won the conference championship
Ryan York // Distance // Cedar Lake, Ind. // Hanover Central HS
PRs: 800m – 1:55.84 // 1600m – 4:18.75 // 3200m – 9:14.17 // 5k (XC) – 15:47
- 23rd at the 2022 IHSAA Cross Country State Championship
- 10th in the 3200m at the 2023 IHSAA State Championship
WOMEN
Brittney Burak // Distance // Huntley, Ill. // Huntley HS
PRs: 1600m – 5:07 // 3200m – 10:59 // 5k (XC) – 18:17 // 3-mile (XC) – 17:19
- 21st at the 2022 Illinois Class 3A Cross Country State Championship
- Top-20 finish in the 1600m at the 2022 Illinois Class 3A State Championship
Rachel Conhoff // Distance // Christiansted, Virgin Islands // Good Hope Country Day School // Ursinus
PRs: 800 – 2:14.48 // 1500 – 4:3.530 // 5k – 17:55.14 // Steeplechase – 11:21.78 // 6k (XC) – 22:25
- Two-time NCAA Division III National Championship qualifier in cross country
- 2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championship qualifier in the 1500m
- Runner-up at the NCAA Division III Metro Region Championship in 2022
Noelle Dilosa // Long Sprints // Schererville, Ind. // Lake Central HS
PRs: 400m – 58.14
- 2023 IHSAA State Championship qualifier in the 400m
- Part of Lake Central's 4x400m relay team that placed sixth at the state championships
Kayla Douglas // Multi // South Bend, Ind. // John Adams HS
PRs: 100mH – 15.30 // HJ – 1.62m/5-04.00 // LJ – 4.81m/15-09.50
- Top-20 finishes in both the 100m hurdles and high jump at the 2023 IHSAA State Championship
- Sectional and regional runner-up in the 100m hurdles
Krysten Fehribach // Multi // Paoli, Ind. // Paoli HS
PRs: 100mH – 15.24 // 300mH – 45.39 // HJ – 1.72m/5-07.75
- 2023 IHSAA State Championship qualifier in both the 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles
- Also qualified for the 2022 IHSAA State Championships in the high jump in 2022 and 2023
Jalisa Fuller // Long Sprints // Lawrence, Ind. // Lawrence Central HS
PRs: 400m – 1:01.0 // 800m – 2:33
- 10th in the 800m at sectionals
- Competed on Lawrence Central's 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams
Aliseonna Garnett // Throws // Indianapolis, Ind. // Decatur Central HS
PRs: SP – 12.57m/41-03.25 // DT – 38.25m/125-06
- 11th in the shot put at the 2023 IHSAA State Championship
- 14th in the shot put at the 2022 IHSAA State Championship
Michelle Gasmund // Distance // Rockford, Ill. // Guilford HS
PRs: 400m – 1:00.56 // 800m – 2:17.53 // 1600m – 5:26.03 // 5k (XC) – 19:08 // HJ – 1.57m/5-02.00
Lillian Gibbs // Javelin // Cape Girardeau, Mo. // Jackson HS
PRs: SP – 9.04m/29-08.00 // DT – 37.64m/123-06 // JT – 45.02m/147-08
- Seventh in the javelin at the 2023 Missouri Class 5A State Championship
- Seventh in the discus at the 2023 Missouri Class 5A State Championship
Kamilla Gibson // Distance // Lafayette, Ind. // Lafayette Jefferson HS
PRs: 800m – 2:17.73 // 1600m – 5:19.99 // 5k (XC) – 19:22
- Sectional champion in the 1600m in 2022 and 2023
- Semistate qualifier in cross country
Hadley Gradolf // Distance // Nashville, Ind. // Brown County HS
PRs: 800m – 2:21 // 1600m – 5:25 // 3200m – 11:29 // 5k (XC) – 18:41
- 23rd at the 2021 IHSAA Cross Country State Championship
- 2022 IHSAA State Championship qualifier in the 3200m
Emma Gresham // Distance // Lynnville, Ind. // Boonville HS
PRs: 1600m – 5:05 // 3200m – 11:30 // 5k (XC) – 18:52
- 56th at the 2022 IHSAA Cross Country State Championship
- 2022 and 2023 IHSAA State Championship qualifier in the 1600m
Jazzalynne Hicks // Throws // Bement, Ill. // Cerro Gordo-Bement HS
PRs: SP – 12.31m/40-04.75 // DT – 35.69m/117-01.50
- Fifth in the shot put at the 2023 Illinois Class 1A State Championship
- 11th in the shot put at the 2022 Illinois Class 1A State Championship
Nevaeh Jones // High Jump // Danville, Ill. // Danville HS
PRs: HJ – 1.58m/5-02.25
- Conference champion in the high jump in 2023
- Illinois Class 3A State Championship qualifier in the high jump
Rachel Mehringer // Hurdles // Schnellville, Ind. // Forest Park HS
PRs: 60m – 7.72 // 60mH – 8.45 // 100m – 12.04 // 100mH – 13.38 // 300mH – 42.72 // HJ – 1.47m/4-10.00 // LJ – 5.53m/18-02.00
- IHSAA State Championship record holder in the 100m hurdles (13.38)
- Won the 2023 Adidas Outdoor National Championship in the 100m hurdles
- Three-time IHSAA State Champion in the 100m hurdles (2021-23)
Kennedy Merrell // Pole Vault // Zionsville, Ind. // Zionsville HS
PRs: PV – 3.73m/12-03.00
- Fifth in the pole vault at the 2022 New Balance Nationals
- Runner-up in the pole vault at the 2022 IHSAA State Championship
Halle Miller // Distance // Brazil, Ind. // Northview HS
PRs: 800m – 2:22 // 1600m – 5:15 // 5k (XC) – 18:55
- 52nd at the 2022 IHSAA Cross Country State Championship
- State qualifier in the 800m and 4x800m relay
Robyn Schemel // Distance // Westfield, Ind. // Westfield HS
PRs: 1600m – 5:32 / 5k (XC) – 19:33
Brenna Sobecki // Distance // LaPorte, Ind. // LaPorte HS
PRs: 1600m – 5:15 // 5000m – 18:37 // 5k (XC) – 19:07
- 24th at the IHSAA Cross Country State Championship
- State qualifier in the 1600m
Shanisa Stinson // Hurdles // Chicago, Ill // South Shore International Prep // Eastern Illinois
PRs: 60m – 7.90 // 60mH – 8.59 // 100mH – 13.85 // 400mH – 1:03.28 // LJ – 5.34m/17-06.25
- 2022 OVC Runner-Up in the 60m hurdles (indoor) and 100m hurdles (outdoor)
- Scored points in every hurdles event she competed in at every OVC Championship (indoor or outdoor)
Angel Thomas // Sprints // South Bend, Ind. // John Adams HS
60m – 7.62 // 100m – 11.65 // 200m – 25.34 // LJ – 5.27m/17-03.50
- 2023 IHSAA State Champion in the 100m
- Won sectional and regional titles in the 200m
Cynthia Tush // Pole Vault // Rushville, Ind. // Rushville HS
PRs: PV – 3.27m/10-09.00
- Sectional champion in the pole vault in 2023
- Three-time EIAC pole vault champion (2021-23)