Feb. 26, 2009
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NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State track and field team has inked three more student-athletes for the 2009-10 season, as Camille Edwards (Indianapolis), Kendall Rush (Spring Valley, Ill.) and Martha Shepard (Palatine, Ill.) signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their track and field and educational careers at Illinois State.
Recruiting for the track and field team never seems to end, however head coach Elvis Forde feels that he and his staff has signed quality student athletes so far.
"This is the year of recruiting for our women's team," said Forde. "Last year we signed a lot of men and this year we have signed a lot of outstanding ladies. Every single one of the ladies that we have signed is going to make a mark on our team next year."
The Redbird track and field signing class expands to nine as Edwards, Rush and Shepard join Samantha Bluske (Pardeeville, Wis.), Hilary Hobler (Lincoln, Ill.), Jen Jenkins (Rochelle, Ill.), Brittany Smith (Oak Park, Ill.), Brea Tinney (Osceola, Wis.) and Juliet Vogel (Roselle, Ill.) who signed NLIs earlier this month.
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Camille Edwards
Indianapolis, Ind. | North Central High School | Jumps | Hurdles |
Finished in second place in the 300-meter hurdles crossing the finish line in 46.44 at the IHSAA (Indiana High School Athletic Association) Regional ... took third place at the AAV Regional in the 100-meter hurdles clocking in with a 14.64 second finish ... placed in the top-five in the high jump at the MIC Conference Tournament ... took third at the Charlie Riley Invite in the long jump launching a distance of 18-0.25 ... received all-state and all-conference honors ... name to the academic all-conference team ... member of National Honor Society
Forde on Edwards
"No doubt Camille will come in and be a conference point scorer for us right off the bat. She's versatile and has competed in the high jump and long jump. We don't know what direction we will take her yet, but her primary focus is the hurdles. She can do several things and now days, if you want to compete for a championship, athletes have to be able to compete in at least two events. I think that Camille's success last year will help us with that and she still has her senior year ahead of her so we are expecting some good things for her."
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Kendall Rush
Spring Valley, Ill. | Hall High School | Jumps | Sprints |
Named News-Tribune Female Athlete of the Year for the 2007-08 school year ...a two-time all-state performer ... took third in the triple jump at the 2008 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class A track and field championships, recording a personal-best distance of 37- 7.5 ... holds the top returning performance in the triple jump in the state of Illinois ... won the 100-meter dash at the Rock Falls Invitational with a personal-best time of 12.54 ... holds a personal-best time of 26.3 in the 200-meter dash ... named to the 2007 and 2008 News-Tribune Track and Field Honor Roll List ... Bureau Co. Republican Track Honor Roll for 2007 and 2008 ... was also a member of the volleyball team.
Forde on Rush
"Kendall is a triple jumper with the possibilities to be a sprinter. She has performed well in the sprints over the years and I think that she has spent so much time working on her jumps that she has not devoted any time in the sprints and that is an area we will look to develop. Traditionally jumpers are good sprinters as well and we would like to incorporate Kendall into our sprint group."
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Martha Shepard
Palatine, Ill. | Palatine High School | Shot Put |
Holds the second-best returning 2009 outdoor shot put in the state of Illinois with a distance of 43-08 ... has already thrown 42-2 in the shot put this season ... won the 2008 Mid-Suburban League Conference shot put title ... finished in fifth place at the 2008 IHSA Class AA track and field championships with a throw of 42-2.75 in the shot put.
Forde on Shepard
"Martha has the tools that we are very excited about. She has speed and quickness and is very light on her feet, and that will help her tremendously. Based on what she has done so far, and starting out the indoor season, she has already thrown over 42 feet topping her personal best from the previous year. We are quite excited that she is going to do really well outdoors. Once she gets here and starts training in the weight room, we are hopeful that she will be an instant hit and help us out in the throws area."
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