Illinois States Jeff Pigg, who just completed his first season as head coach of the Redbird track and field team, recently added nine athletes to his first recruiting class.
The newest members of Piggs class include Diana Ainsley, Amy Dian, Kim Fargher, Kelly Forst, Audrey Hagen, Laura Kennedy, Lindsey Meyers, Leah Smith and Sarah Swain.
This is a new era for track and field at Illinois State, Pigg said. We recruited in an area where we have good individuals (middle distance and distance), but we want to make a statement as a team. We wanted to do it with kids from Illinois and surrounding states.
Its been a fun year, but I cannot wait to get these kids started, Pigg added.
Ainsley, who Pigg believes to be one of the top distance runners in the state, was an all-state performer in cross country at Palatine (Ill.) High School and finished in second-place in the 1,600 at the state meet last weekend.
When we recruited we looked for three things: a good person, a serious student and a good athlete, Pigg said. After speaking with Dianas coach, we knew that signing her could be important to the future of our program. Shes a great fit.
Waukesha, Wis., native Dian placed second in the 400 meters for West High School at the Wisconsin state meet.
Amy Dian has tremendous talent, Pigg said.Shell focus on the 400 and 800 as well as run cross country for us.
Fargher graduated from Kewanee (Ill.) High School where she ran middle distance events.
Kim is a very good athlete that can do a lot of different things, said Pigg. At ISU she will be running the 400, 800 and the 400 hurdles.
Pigg speculates that Forst, a native of Elmurst, Ill. and York High School, will run the distance events and cross country.
Shes a very solid distance runner who had a great high school career and came make an impact here Pigg said.
Hagen, an all-state 800 runner from Kirksville (Mo.) High School, will have an immediate impact running the half-mile at ISU.
Audrey Hagen seemed like a great fit, Pigg said. Shes an all-stater and a good student, as well.
Kennedy hails from Wildwood, Mo., and Lafayette High School. Choosing Illinois State over Illinois, Kennedy will specialize in the 3,000 and 5,000 and will also run cross country for the Redbirds.
In my opinion, Laura Kennedy is the best distance runner in the state of Missouri , Pigg said. I have known her for a long time and I know she will have a brilliant future.
At Litchfield (Ill.) High School, Myers qualified for the state meet in the 100, 200 and 400 this season.
She is a very versatile athlete, Pigg said. Shell be competing in the 400 and Im very excited about her future in middle-distance.
Smith comes to ISU after four successful years at Quincy (Ill.) High School.
I have also known Leah for a long time, too, Pigg said. It was a natural fit for her to come here. Shell fit in running the 800, 1,500 and cross country for us.
Swain, a product of Glenwood High School in Chatham, Ill., placed second in the 800 at the state meet last weekend with a time of 2:12.52.
Sarahs time would have been one of the top times in the Missouri Valley Conference this year, Pigg said. She is one of the top 800 runners in the Midwest and is very versatile from the 400 through cross country running.
The latest signees join Proviso Easts Gabe Cruz in the 2001 recruiting class.
I absolutely cannot wait for these kids to start with us, Pigg added. Its exciting to see athletes like this coming into your program.
