NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee announced the addition of 21 student-athletes to the 2019-20 Redbird track & field/cross country teams. These 21 student-athletes join the 13 that committed during the fall signing period.
The following student-athletes are the newest Redbirds to join the cross country and/or track & field teams:
Sydney Apgar (Carbondale, Illinois / Carbondale High School) / Throws
PRs: Shot Put – 11.89m (39-0.25 ft.) / Discus—43.51m (142-9 ft.)
- 2019 IHSA Class 2A State Champion in the discus
- 2018 IHSA Class 2A third place finisher at state in the discus
- Qualified for the IHSA Class 2 state championship meet three times
- Won the discus every meet she competed in her senior season
Catherine Daily (Machesney Park, Illinois / Harlem High School) / Throws
PRs: Shot Put – 11.91m (39-1 ft.) / Discus—44.80m (147-0 ft.)
- 2019 IHSA Class 3A State Runner-Up in the discus
- 2018 IHSA Class 3A fourth place finisher at state in the discus
- Qualified for the IHSA Class 3 state championship meet three times
- Four-time NIC-10 Conference Discus Champion
Kylie Hagmann (Woodstock, Illinois / Woodstock High School) / Distance / XC
PRs: 800m – 2:28.96 / 1600m—5:29.65 / 3200m—11:22.58 / 5K (XC)—20:06.2 / 3 miles (XC)—17:40.6
- Finished 10th at the 2018 IHSA 2A Cross Country State Championships
- Posted three top-25 finishes at the IHSA 2A Cross Country State Championships
- Finished eighth in the 3200m at the 2018 IHSA 2A State Championships
- Her best finish at the IHSA 2A State Championships came in 2017, finishing sixth in the 3200m
Alysheia Joseph (Edmond, Oklahoma / Edmond Memorial High School) / Sprints
PRs: 60m – 7.63 seconds / 100m—11.63 seconds / 200m—24.47 seconds
- 2019 State Champion in the 100m at the OSSAA 6A Championships
- Finished fifth in the 200m at the 2019 OSSAA 6A Championships
- Seven-time OSSAA 6A State Championship qualifier
- 2018 State Runner-Up in the 100m at the OSSA 6A Championships
Brian Brown (Park Ridge, Illinois / Maine South High School) / Multi
PRs: 110m hurdles—15.03 seconds / High Jump—1.95m (6-5 ft.) / Discus—45.56m (149-6 ft.)
- Finished 10th in the high jump at the 2019 IHSA 3A State Championships
- Seven-time CL-South Conference Champion
- Qualified for the IHSA Class 3 state championship meet three times
Amiri Buchanan (Romeoville, Illinois / Romeoville High School) / Throws
PRs: Shot Put – 18.49m (60-8 ft.) / Discus—54.91m (180-2 ft.) / Hammer Throw—44.29m (145-4 ft.)
- Won the shot put and hammer throw at the USATF Illinois Association Junior Olympic Championships
- Four-time IHSA 3A state qualifier
- Competed at the USATF National Youth Outdoor Championships
- Eight-time Southwest Prairie Conference Champion
DeMariye Carpenter (Silvis, Illinois / United Township High School / Triton CC) / Sprints
PRs: 100m—10.79 seconds / 200m—22.04 seconds
- 2018 NJCAA D3 100m Champion
- 2018 NJCAA D3 200m Champion
- A member of the 2019 NJCAA D3 Champion 4x100m relay team
- Finished fourth at the 2019 NJCAA D3 Championships in the 100m
Jacob Gray (Metamora, Illinois / Metamora High School) / Mid-Distance / XC
PRs: 800m—1:55.79 / 1600m—4:29.59 / 3 miles (XC)—15:35.9
- Five-time Mid-Illini Conference Champion
- Finished eighth in the 800m at the 2019 IHSA 2A state meet
- Four-time IHSA 2A state qualifier
- Qualified for the 2019 IHSA 2A Cross Country State Championships
Aaron Harris (Lisle, Illinois / Lisle High School / University of Illinois) / Sprints
PRs: 200m—21.81 seconds / 400m—48.44 seconds
- 2016 IHSA Class 2A State 200m Champion
- 2016 IHSA Class 2A State 400m Champion
- Seven-time IHSA State qualifier
- Competed at the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Championships in the 400m
QaRon Hawkins (Springfield, Illinois / Springfield High School) / Jumps
PRs: Triple Jump—14.35m (47-1 ft.)
- Two-time CS8 Conference runner-up in the triple jump
- Three-time IHSA state qualifier
- Finished 11th in the triple jump at the IHSA 3A State Championship
Jalen Hunter (Flossmoor, Illinois / Homewood-Flossmoor High School) / Long Jump / Sprints
PRs: Long Jump—7.25m (23-9.75 ft.) / 200m—23.64 seconds / 400m—52.22 seconds
- A member of the IHSA 2A State Champion 4x200m relay
- Five-time IHSA state qualifier
- Five-time SWSC-Blue Conference Champion
Jaden Johnson (Freeport, Illinois / Freeport High School) / Hurdles
PRs: 60m hurdles—8.31 seconds / 110m hurdles—14.23 seconds / 300m hurdles—38.97 seconds
- Finished sixth in the 110m hurdles at the IHSA 2A State Championship
- Finished seventh in the 300m hurdles at the IHSA 2A State Championship
- Six-time IHSA 2A state qualifier
- Five-time NIC-10 Conference Champion
Joe Kingery (Teutopolis, Illinois / Teutopolis High School) / Throws
PRs: Shot Put – 14.59m (47-10.5 ft.) / Discus—54.81m (180-10 ft.)
- 2019 IHSA Class 1A State Discus Champion
- Won the discus in every meet he competed in during his senior season
- Two-time IHSA 1A state qualifier in the discus
JT Lowder (Oak Park, Illinois / Oak Park-River Forrest High School) / Hurdles / Multi
PRs: 60m hurdles—7.97 seconds / 110m hurdles—14.05 seconds / 300m hurdles—38.59 seconds
- 2019 IHSA Class 3A 110m hurdles state runner-up
- Six-time IHSA Class 3A state qualifier
- Eight-time West Suburban Conference Champion
Jackson McClure (Normal, Illinois / University High School) / Mid-Distance / XC
PRs: 800m—2:03.04 / 1600m—4:43.83 / 5K (XC)—16:43.2 / 3 mile (XC)—15:16.9
- A member of the 2018 State Champion 4x800m relay at the IHSA 2A State Championships
- Finished 27th at the 2017 IHSA 2A Cross Country State Championships
- Qualified for the IHSA State Championships five times throughout cross country and track & field
Charles Murphy (St. Charles, Illinois / St. Charles East High School) / Mid-Distance / XC
PRs: 800m—1:56.62 / 1500m—4:05.28 / 5K (XC)—16:44.4 / 3 miles (XC)—15:19.0
- 2017 Cross Country Upstate Eight Conference Champion
- A member of the 2019 IHSA 3A state runner-up 4x800 relay
- Two-time IHSA 3A Cross Country state qualifier
Tyler Polak (Wheeling, Illinois / Wheeling High School) / Mid-Distance / XC
PRs: 800m—2:03.58 / 1600m—4:27.50 / 3200m—10:13.72 / 3 miles (XC)—14:58.9
- Finished ninth at the 2018 Mid Suburban League Cross Country Championships
- Qualified for the IHSA Class 3A State Cross Country Championships in 2018
Brett Schenck (Princeton, Illinois / Princeton High School / Davenport University) / Sprints
PRs: 60m—7.11 seconds / 200m—22.91 seconds
- Posted a top-3 finish in the 60-meter dash at his first collegiate meet
- Six-time IHSA 2A state qualifier
- Finished fourth in the 100m at the 2017 IHSA 2A State Championships
Payton Smith (Mattoon, Illinois / Mattoon High School) / Throws
PRs: Shot Put – 15.64m (51-4 ft.) / Discus—50.06m (164-3 ft.)
- Finished fourth in the discus at the 2019 IHSA 2A State Championships
- Two-time IHSA 2A state qualifier in the discus
- Posted five top-3 finishes at the Apollo Conference Meet over four years in shot put and discus
Will Walton (Carlinville, Illinois / Carlinville High School) / Jumps
PRs: High Jump—1.93m (6-4 ft.) / Long Jump—6.61m (21-8.5 ft.) / Triple Jump—13.67m (44-10.25 ft.)
- Finished fourth in the triple jump at the 2019 IHSA 1A State Championships
- Finished eighth in the long jump at the 2019 IHSA 1A State Championships
- Four-time IHSA 1A state qualifier
Eddie Winner (Israel) / Manhattan College / Pole Vault / Multi
PRs: Pole Vault—5.26m (17-3 ft.) / 60mH—8.42 seconds / 110mH—15.59 seconds
- Qualified for the 2018 NCAA East Prelims in the pole vault
- 2018 MAAC Outdoor Champion in the pole vault
- 2018 MAAC Indoor Champion in the pole vault
The following student-athletes signed during the 2018 fall signing period:
Emma Argo (Eureka, Illinois / Eureka High School) / Distance
PRs: 1600m – 5:13.03 / 3-Mile (XC) – 16:59.73
- Back-to-back IHSA Class 1A Cross Country State Champion in 2017 and 2018
- Four-time IHSA Class 1A State Cross Country Championship qualifier
- Two-time IHSA Class 2A State Track & Field qualifier in the 1600-meter
Paige Arseneau (Pekin, Illinois / Pekin High School) / Distance
PRs: 1600m – 5:08.77 / 3200m – 11:25.51 / 3-Mile (XC) – 17:48.32
- Four-time IHSA 3A State Cross Country Championships qualifier (placed 63rd in 2018)
- Qualified for the 2018 and 2019 IHSA 3A State Track & Field Championships in the 3200-meter
- Finished second in the 1600m at the 2019 3A O'Fallon sectional to qualify for the state meet
Mackenzie Brownrigg (Mokena, Illinois / Lincoln-Way Central High School) / Distance
PRs: 1600m – 5:07:66 / 3200m– 11:15.80 / 3-Mile (XC) – 17:45.75
- 2018 IHSA 3A State T&F Championships qualifier in the 1,600-meter run
- 2018 Illinois Top Times Class 3A Qualifier in the 1600-meter run (finished eighth)
- Two-time IHSA 3A State XC Championships qualifier
- 2017 IHSA 3A XC Tinley Park Regional Champion
Grace Daun (Wauconda, Illinois / Wauconda High School) / High Jump
PRs: High Jump – 1.78m (5-10 ft.)
- 2018 and 2019 IHSA Class 3A State Champion in the high jump
- Three-time IHSA Class 3A State Track & Field Championships qualifier in the high jump
- Won the high jump competition at the 2018 USATF Illinois Association State meet
- Competed in the high jump at the 2017 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
Zofia LeHew (Brimfield, Illinois / Elmwood High School) / High Jump
PRs: High Jump – 1.65m (5-05.00)
- Three-time IHSA Class 1A State Track & Field Championships qualifier in the high jump
- Finished fourth in the high jump at the 2019 IHSA Class 1A State Track & Field Championships
- Placed seventh in the high jump at the 2018 Illinois Top Times Meet (Class 1A)
Emma Smith (Carlinville, Illinois / Carlinville High School) / Pole Vault
PRs: Pole Vault – 3.65m (12-00.00)
- 2018 Illinois Top Times Class 1A Pole Vault runner-up
- Placed third in pole vault at the 2017 and 2018 IHSA 1A State Track & Field Championships
- Three-time IHSA 1A State Track & Field Championships qualifier
- Three-time Illinois Top Times qualifier
Danielle Taets (Orion, Illinois / Orion High School) / Jumps and Hurdles
PRs: 100mH– 14.72 / 300mH– 46.00 / Triple Jump – 11.76m (38-07.00)
- 2018 IHSA Class 1A Track & Field State Champion in the 100-meter hurdles and triple jump
- Finished third in the 300-meter hurdles at the 2018 IHSA Class 1A State Track & Field Championships
- 2018 Illinois Top Times Class 1A triple jump champion
- 2017 IHSA Class 1A State Track & Field triple jump runner-up
- 2017 Illinois Top Times Class 1A triple jump runner-up
Joe Boyer (Arlington Heights, Illinois / Rolling Meadows High School) / Throws
PRs: Shot Put – 18.99m (62-4 ft.) / Discus – 54.81m (179-10 ft.)
- 2019 IHSA 3A state runner-up in shot put and discus
- Finished second in the shot put at the 2019 Illinois Top Times Championships
- 2019 Mid-Suburban League shot put champion
Collin Grady (Dixon, Illinois / Dixon High School) / Distance
PRs: 800m—2:03.04 / 1600m– 4:27.97 / 3-Mile (XC) – 15:03.40
- Placed 13th at the 2018 IHSA Class 2A State Cross Country Championship
- Won the 2018 IHSA Class 2A Cross Country Woodstock North Sectional and Belvidere North Regional
- Two-time IHSA Class 2A Cross Country State Championship qualifier
Tyler Klouda (Mantua, Ohio / Garfield High School) / Distance
PRs: 1600m– 4:20.47 / 3200m– 9:30.30 / 5K (XC) – 15:57.60
- Three-time OHSAA Ohio D2 State Cross Country Championship qualifier (finished fifth in 2016 and 10th in 2018)
- Three-time OHSAA D2 State T&F Championship qualifier in the 1600-meter run (placed fourth in 2018)
- Four-time OATCCC Indoor State Championships qualifier
- Placed third in the 1600-meter and sixth in the 3200-meter at the 2018 OATCCC Indoor State Championships
Brandon Ratcliff (Wyoming, Michigan / Wyoming High School) / Hurdles
PRs: 60mH– 8.08 / 110mH– 14.24
- Placed sixth at the 2018 MHSAA LP-1 State Championships in the 110-meter Hurdles
- 2018 OK Gold Conference champion in the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles
- Competed at the 2018 and 2019 Indoor New Balance Nationals in the 55-meter hurdles and 60-meter hurdles
Tate Walcott (Lexington, Illinois / Ridgeview-Lexington High School) / Jumps and Sprints
PRs: 100m– 11.07 / 200m– 22.12 / Long Jump – 7.32m (24-00.25)
- 2018 IHSA Class 1A State Champion in the long jump
- Finished third in the 200-meter at the 2018 IHSA Class 1A State Track & Field Championships
- Seven-time IHSA Class 1A State Track & Field Championships qualifier
- Two-time Illinois Top Times Class 1A 200-meter runner-up (2017 and 2018)
- 2019 Illinois Top Times Class 1A long jump champion
Riley Wells (Rockford, Illinois / Rockford Christian High School) / Mid-Distance
PRs: 800m– 1:52.84 / 1600m– 4:21.87 / 3-Mile (XC) – 15:05.00
- 2019 IHSA Class 2A 800m state champion
- Back-to-Back IHSA Class 1A 800-meter State Champion in 2017 and 2018
- Back-to-Back Illinois Top Times Class 1A 800-meter Champion in 2017 and 2018
- Three-time IHSA State Cross Country Championship qualifier
- Two top-10 performances at the IHSA State Cross Country meet, finished eighth in 2016 and fifth in 2017
For all the latest on Redbird track & field and cross country, visit goredbirds.com and follow the 'Birds on Twitter (@redbird_trackxc), Instagram (@redbird_trackxc) and Facebook (@redbirdsTF).
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