Track & Field Welcomes 24 for the 2015-16 Seasons
8/17/2015 4:20:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
COLUMBIA, Mo. - A new school year has nearly set in in Columbia, and among those new students making their way to the Missouri campus for the first time are the 24 newcomers to the Mizzou Track & Field program. Hailing from three countries and eight states, this exciting group is set to make positive impacts on the program's trajectory early on.
"We are thrilled to welcome this group of student-athletes here at the University of Missouri," Head Coach Brett Halter. "Not only do they embody our program's Tiger Tough mindset, but they represent what we stand for as a department and an institution. The dedication and success that they've had on the track and in the field are reflected in their academics and the work they do in their communities. They strive to achieve in every aspect of their lives, and we are so proud include them in our Tiger family."
THE 2015-16 INCOMING CLASS - BY THE NUMBERS
- 18 top-25 rankings in the US for 2015
- 8 top-25 rankings in the UK for 2015
- 2 New Balance National Champions
- 6 New Balance All-Americans
- 23 State Championship titles
- 4 Nike Cross Nationals qualifiers
- 57 All-State finishes
SPRINTS // HURDLES
The four additions to the sprints/hurdles group bring with them quite the list of accomplishments, including nine top-25 rankings in the U.S. for 2015 and 11 individual state titles.
First up is Charles Graham, Jr., the hurdle-specialist from Hampton, Va. (Phoebus HS) who has made waves this year with the No. 2 time in the nation for the 55m and 60m hurdles, and the No. 9 mark for the 110m hurdles. The four-time State Champion also brings with him six All-State awards and national championship experience, as he qualified for two New Balance Outdoor National Championships and three NB Indoor National Championships, earning All-American finishes in all five competitions.
Next up is a pair of sprinters who are relatively new to the world of track & field: Kahmari Montgomery and Beresford Sweeney. Sweeney is the sole islander of the group, coming to Missouri from Kingston, Jamaica (Ardenne HS). Sweeney was second in the 200m dash, fourth in the 100m, at the 2014 LIME JAAA CARIFTA Trials and is the latest addition to the successful group of current Caribbean student-athletes: Sandrae Farquharson (Jamaica), Jonathan Holder (Trinidad & Tobago), Tsai-Anne Joseph (Trinidad & Tobago), Jerrad Mason (Barbados), and Alex Pascal (Cayman Islands).
Montgomery, also newly-introduced to track & field in the last few years, has already made some big impacts on the national high school scene, hitting the No. 5 mark in the U.S. for the outdoor 400m dash in 2015, the No. 12 mark for the 60m dash, No. 14 in the 100m dash, and No. 17 in the outdoor 200m. He brings with him five IHSA state titles in the 100m (2015), 200m (2014-15), and 400m (2014-15).
Rounding out the sprints group additions is the sole woman of the group, Missouri high school standout Maya Cody (St. Louis, Mo. // Lutheran South HS). Cody also holds a couple top-20 rankings in the U.S., coming in at No. 11 for the outdoor 200m and No. 17 for the 100m dash in 2015. A two-time state champion in the 400m dash (2013, 2015), she also earned eight All-State finishes in the 100m, 200m, and 400m dashes. Cody comes to Mizzou with a pair of records already in the bag on the Hearnes track, as she tops the All-Time Lists for the Big River Running HS Series in both the 60m and 200m dashes.
JUMPS
Another four athletes join the jumps group, with two men and two women adding their talents in both the high jump and pole vault. On the men's side, Alex King (Metropolis, Ill. // Massac County HS) is the sole transfer of the 24, coming to Columbia from Rend Lake College in Ina, Ill. The high jumper was a two-time NJCAA Championships qualifier, finishing as runner-up during the 2015 Indoor Championships, and taking ninth at the Outdoor Championships. He was an IHSA Champion in 2013 and went on to take second during the USATF National Junior Olympics later that year.
Chardon, OH, native Matthew Ludwig (Lake Catholic HS) is set to join the pole vault group after closing an exciting high school career in, not just the pole vault, but also the 200m dash, 300m hurdles, and decathlon. The 2015 New Balance Champion in the decathlon, Ludwig was No. 8 in the U.S. high school rankings for the indoor pole vault, No. 10 for the outdoor pole vault, and No. 15 for the 300m hurdles. He also holds an OHSAA title for the 300m hurdles (2015) and three OHSAA All-State honors for the pole vault.
Joining the women vaulters is Rayce Albino, who's successful career at New Berlin West HS (New Berlin, Wisc.) included two WIAA titles (2013, 2015), and a third-place finish in 2014.
Karissa Roman, another Big River Running HS Series record holder to join the Tigers, comes to Columbia from Kewanee, Ill., where she was a two-time IHSA Champion in the high jump while competing for Wethersfield HS. Like Ludwig, Roman also saw some success in the 300m hurdles, earning two IHSA All-State honors in the event.
DISTANCE // MID-DISTANCE
The distance and mid-distance freshman class is already working hard with the approaching start to the cross country season. The six men and seven women will join the fray as the Tigers look to continue their climb through the ranks in the SEC. Included in their numbers are three Missouri-natives: Tyler Gillam, Kyle Pudenz, and Carolyn White; as well as three men from Great Britain: Thomas George (Gloucester, England), Ollie Lockley (Colby, Isle of Man), and Luca Russo (Kent, England).
Both Gillam and White come to the Tigers from Festus, Mo., (Festus HS), joining fellow-Festus alumni Drew White and Jamie Kempfer. Gilliam was the 2013 MSHSAA Cross Country Champion, and holds five All-State finishes for the 1600m and 3200m runs, and two All-State honors for cross country. White also earned a pair of All-State honors for cross country, as well as another two for the 800m run.
Pudenz, a Park Hill HS graduate (Kansas City), is a two-time MSHSAA qualifier for both track (1600m) and cross country.
Thomas George (Gloucester, England) arrives in the U.S. with three top-20 rankings in the UK for U20 in 2015: No. 14 for the mile, No. 16 for the 2000m Steeplechase, and No. 20 in the 1500m. The 2015 Midland Counties Champion in the 1500m has qualified for two England Athletics U20/U23 Championships in the 1500m (2014-15), as well as the 2015 ECCA Saucony English National Championships in cross country.
The pair of Ollie Lockley and Luca Russo both arrive in Columbia from St. Mary's University, and bring three more top-25 rankings in the UK for 2015. Lockley, the 2015 Isle of Man Champion in the 5000m, was No. 13 in the 10k for U23.
Russo was ranked as No. 22 for all age groups in the indoor 1500m, No. 3 for U23, and No. 22 for the U23 indoor 3000m. He was third at the 2015 South of England AA Indoor Championships for the indoor 1500m, sixth in the outdoor 1500m, and sixth at the 2013 English National Cross Country Championships.
Rounding out the group of men is the first of three Illinois-natives joining the Tigers, Michael Widmann (Naperville, Ill. // Neuqua Valley HS), a 2014 IHSA All-State finisher in cross country.
Joining Widmann from his home state is Elly Deturris of Naperville, Ill. (Naperville North HS) and Emmie Hahn from Homer Glen, Ill. (Lockport Township HS). Deturris was a three-time Nike Cross Nationals qualifier during her time at Naperville North, and earned five All-State honors from her seven qualifications. Hahn was also an All-State finisher for cross country, qualifying for three championship meets during her time at Lockport Township HS.
The Tigers have another trio out of Iowa, starting with Jordan Kleve from Urbandale (Johnson HS). Kleve closed her high school career ranked 11th in the U.S. for the indoor 3000m, 24th for the outdoor 3000m, and was 15th at the 2014 Nike Cross Nationals. A three-time All-State finisher in cross country, including a second-place crossing in 2014, Kleve also earned six All-State honors during the track season for the 1500m and 3000m runs.
Also from Urbandale is Hannah Thomas, who graduated from Dowling HS, notable also for producing another current Tiger, Karissa Schweizer. Thomas earned All-State honors all four years for cross country, peaking with a 14th-place finish in 2013.
The third addition out of Iowa is Kate Smith, who graduated from Ankeny Centennial HS (Ankeny, Ia.). Smith was a two-time IAHSAA All-State finisher for cross country, crossing in the top 15 of the field in 2013 and 2014. She was also a four-time All-State competitor on the track for the 1500m and 3000m runs.
Rounding out the newcomers on the distance side is the lone Michigander of the group, Kelli Jackson, who graduated from Hudsonville HS in Hudsonville, Mich. Ranked 14th in the U.S. for the indoor 3200m in 2015, Jackson was a two-time All-State finisher in cross country, including a ninth-place crossing in 2014.
THROWS
The three additions to the throws group rounds out the 2015-16 incoming class, as the Tigers welcome Missouri-native Patrick Kunza, Tennessee-native Tamia Crockett, and the class' third addition from England, Rebecca Keating.
Kunza comes to Columbia from Wentzville, Mo., where he competed for Timberland HS. An MSHSAA All-State finisher for the discus, Kunza holds the Missouri Record for the weight throw. And, like Maya Cody and Karissa Roman, he already owns a record on the Hearnes track for the Big River Running HS Series weight throw.
Tamia Crockett is a graduate of Hardin Valley HS in Knoxville, Tenn., where she was a 2014 New Balance National Champion for the discus. A four-time TSSAA Champion for the shot put and discus, Crockett closed her career ranked No. 14 for the weight throw, No. 15 for the hammer, and No. 20 for the indoor shot put.
Rebecca Keating comes to Columbia from Reading, England, where she has emerged as one of the top young female hammer throwers in the country, ranked first for U20 in the UK in 2015, No. 13 across all ages. The 2015 England Athletics U20 runner-up in the event has three English Schools Championship titles to her name (2013-15), and the 2015 South of England AA U20 Championship win.
Stay tuned to MUTigers.com, and follow the team on Twitter @MIZ_TrackField, for more updates as these Tigers join the rest of the Mizzou family for the 2015 cross country season and fall training.
| 2015-16 MIZZOU TRACK & FIELD NEWCOMERS | |||
| NAME | EVENT | HOMETOWN | HIGH SCHOOL |
| MEN | |||
| Thomas George | Distance | Gloucester, GB | |
| Tyler Gillam | Distance | Festus, Mo. | Festus HS |
| Charles Graham, Jr. | Hurdles | Hampton, Va. | Phoebus HS |
| Alex King | High Jump | Metropolis, Ill. | Massac County HS |
| Patrick Kunza | Throws | Wentzville, Mo. | Timberland HS |
| Ollie Lockley | Distance | Colby, Isle of Man | St. Mary's University |
| Matthew Ludwig | Pole Vault | Chardon, Oh. | Lake Catholic HS |
| Kahmari Montgomery | Sprints | Plainfield, Ill. | Plainfield Central HS |
| Kyle Pudenz | Distance | Kansas City, Mo. | Park Hill HS |
| Luca Russo | Distance | Kent, GB | St. Mary's University |
| Beresford Sweeney | Sprints | Kingston, Jamaica | Ardenne HS |
| Michael Widmann | Distance | Naperville, Illl | Neuqua Valley HS |
| WOMEN | |||
| Rayce Albino | Pole Vault | New Berlin, Wisc. | New Berlin West HS |
| Maya Cody | Sprints | St. Louis, Mo. | Lutheran South HS |
| Tamia Crockett | Throws | Knoxville, Tenn. | Hardin Valley HS |
| Elly Deturris | Distance | Naperville, Ill. | Naperville North HS |
| Emmie Hahn | Distance | Homer Glen, Ill. | Lockport Township HS |
| Kelli Jackson | Distance | Hudsonville, Mich. | Hudsonville HS |
| Rebecca Keating | Throws | Reading, GB | |
| Jordyn Kleve | Distance | Urbandale, Ia. | Johnson HS |
| Karissa Roman | High Jump | Kewanee, Ill. | Wethersfield HS |
| Kate Smith | Distance | Ankeny, Ia. | Ankeny Centennial HS |
| Hannah Thomas | Distance | Urbandale, Ia. | Dowling HS |
| Carolyn White | Distance | Festus, Mo. | Festus HS |
| THOMAS GEORGE |
| Distance // Gloucester, England
PR's: 800m - 1:56.45 // 1500m - 3:49.30 // Mile - 4:14.37 // 3000m - 8:38.60 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Thomas will help us build our stable of milers. He has run in some big races back home in England, and knows how to compete in those championship-style meets." |
| TYLER GILLAM |
| Distance // Festus, Mo. (Festus HS)
PR's: 1600m - 4:19.02 // 3200m - 9:14.78 // 5000m XC - 15:08.00 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Tyler comes to us from a fantastaic program at Festus. We have some great kids in our program that have come from Festus, and we know that he will be well-prepared for the transition into collegiate training and racing." |
| CHARLES GRAHAM, JR. |
| Hurdles // Hampton, Va. (Phoebus HS)
PR's: 60m hurdles - 7.75 // 110m hurdles - 13.53 // 300m hurdles - 37.83 |
Noteworthy
Coach Carjay Lyles - "Charles was a major sign for us. As one of the top hurdlers in the country, I think he will develop into a major contributor to our program during his time here. He has the height and ability to make the adjustment to the higher hurdles in college, and he has the work ethic. He has an amazing family and support system, and his high school coaches have prepared him well for college. Charles has major goals for himself, and we're lucky he's letting us be a part of achieving those goals. He's as hard a worker as I've seen on the high school level in years, and if that carries over into his collegiate career I expect big things from him." |
| ALEX KING |
| High Jump // Metropolis, Ill. (Massac Country HS / Rend Lake College)
PR's: High Jump - 2.16m (7-1) |
Noteworthy
Coach Dan Lefever - "It is thrilling to include Alex in our list of newcomers. He is a proven national talent in the high jump at the high school and junior college levels. He works hard and quietly takes care of his business. I am grateful that we found a person with his talent who fits our program and is the type of person we want representing Mizzou. It will be a fun journey." |
| PATRICK KUNZA |
| Throws // Wentzville, Mo. (Timberland HS)
PR's: Weight Throw - 19.25m (63-2) |
Noteworthy
Coach Brett Halter - "For Patrick's limited time and opportunities to work and compete in the weight throw, he has done a remarkable job. I am looking forward to his progress as he applies himself over an extended period of time. He will certainly be a great addition to the program both as a thrower and as a person." |
| OLLIE LOCKLEY |
| Distance // Colby, Isle of Man (St. Mary's University)
PR's: 1500m - 3:56.48 // 3000m - 8:24.23 // 5000m - 14:39.23 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Ollie will bring a level of maturity in training and racing that will help us build depth in our program. He comes from a great program, and is ready to make the next step in his development." |
| MATTHEW LUDWIG |
| Pole Vault // Chardon, OH (Lake Catholic HS)
PR's: Pole Vault - 5.10m (16-8.75) // 200m - 21.76 // 300m hurdles - 37.18 |
Noteworthy
Coach Dan Lefever - "Matt is a tremendous young man. He is relentless both academically and athletically, and will be a great addition to our hard-working and focused group. His coaches have done a phenomenal job with him, and he is a credit to their guidance. He had an outstanding high school season, culminating with his state meet performance. He is one of the most talented athletes in the country, and we are thrilled that he is going to be a Mizzou Tiger. Look for big things from this young man." |
| KAHMARI MONTGOMERY |
| Sprints // Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield Central HS)
PR's: 100m - 10.50 // 200m - 20.96 // 400m - 46.24 |
Noteworthy
Coach Carjay Lyles - "Kahmari si a major program pick-up. After meeting his family more out about him, I know that he has the intangibles to be great in the sport. Being a newcomer to track this year, and running some of the top times in the country shows just what kind of talent he has. I'm excited about adding him to a great core of people we already have on the team. He had the best state meet of any Illinois sprinter in state history, and if that's a preview of things to come then Missouri is a better program for him choosing us. Kahmari has immense ability and will contribute to the program in a major way." |
| KYLE PUDENZ |
| Distance // Kansas City, Mo. (Park Hill HS)
PR's: |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Kyle is another quality addition to our program from our home state of Missouri. Recruiting from Missouri is essential to our future success, so we are excited to have Kyle joining us here at Mizzou!" |
| LUCA RUSSO |
| Distance // Kent, England (St. Mary's University)
PR's: 800m - 1:53.97 // 1500m - 3:52.03 // 3000m - 8:27.80 // 2000m Steeplechase - 6:08.90 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Luca will bring with him some great experience that will allow him to blossom here at Mizzou. His maturity level in training and racing will help him transition quickly and contribute right away." |
| BERESFORD SWEENEY |
| Sprints // Kingston, Jamaica (Ardenne HS)
PR's: 100m - 10.45 // 200m - 21.31 |
Noteworthy
Coach Carjay Lyles - "Beresford solidifies a great sprints core. He has great physical tools and the right mentality to compete on a major level. He's an excellent student in the classroom, coming in with a 3.90 GPA and high test scores, which just speaks to how well-rounded and disciplined he is. Athletes like Beresford do not come around often, and his contributions to the team will keep us striving towards the team goals over the next few years." |
| MICHAEL WIDMANN |
| Distance // Naperville, Ill. (Neuqua Valley HS)
PR's: 1600m - 4:27.20 // 3200m - 9:25.36 // 3-mile XC - 14:48.00 // 5000m XC - 15:49.60 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Michael is a graduate of one of the finest high school programs in the country. His high school coach knows how to prepare guys for the next level. The transition for Michael will be smooth, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in the coming years." |
| RAYCE ALBINO |
| Pole Vault // New Berlin, Wisc. (New Berlin West HS)
PR's: Pole Vault - 3.96m (13-0) |
Noteworthy
Coach Dan Lefever - "Rayce is an exciting prospect in the pole vault. She had a very successful prep career and has high aspirations as a collegian. She is committed and has a passion for success. Rayce is a tremendous young lady all around, and we are proud to welcome her and her family into our Mizzou family." |
| MAYA CODY |
| Sprints // St. Louis, Mo. (Lutheran South HS)
PR's: 60m - 7.73 // 100m - 11.69 // 200m - 23.76 // 400m - 55.52 |
Noteworthy
Coach Carjay Lyles - "Maya is one of Missouri's top sprinters. She has great range and is a key piece in making sure we keep the best Missouri athletes in Missouri. She is absolutely going to develop into one of the best this program has ever seen. She is a brilliant student and a fearless competitor. She has a great, supportive family, and we are going to be a much better team with her on it." |
| TAMIA CROCKETT |
| Throws // Knoxville, Tenn. (Hardin Valley HS)
PR's: Shot Put - (44-4) // Discus - (143-11) // Hammer - (141-9) // Weight Throw - (49-9) |
Noteworthy
Coach Brett Halter - "Tamia has a terrific upside. She has an incredible work ethic with a can-do attitude. We are looking forward to getting to work!" |
| ELLY DETURRIS |
| Distance // Naperville, Ill. (Naperville North HS)
PR's: 1600m - 5:03.53 // 3200m - 10:44.93 // 3-mile XC - 16:57.00 // 5000m XC - 18:11.70 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Elly knows what it means to be on a championship team. She has led her high school teams to state titles and high-level NXN team finishes. We are excited about her potential and her leadership abilities." |
| EMMIE HAHN |
| Distance // Homer Glen, Ill. (Lockport Township HS)
PR's: 1600m - 5:16.92 // 3-mile XC - 17:13 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Emmie blossomed in her senior cross country season. I have known her high school coaches for a long time, so I am at a good comfort level with her potential on the collegiate stage." |
| KELLI JACKSON |
| Distance // Hudsonville, Mich. (Hudsonville HS)
PR's: 1600m - 5:05.65 // 3200m - 10:40.65 // 5000m (XC) - 17:01.71 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Kelli will be a contributor early on for us. She will benefit from having a team around her, and if we can get her to be patient in her training, she will be racing at a high level during our championship meets." |
| REBECCA KEATING |
| Throws // Reading, England
PR's: Hammer - 55.98m (183-8) |
Noteworthy
Coach Brett Halter - "Becky will be a fun addition to the team. She is very motivated to achieve her goals in both the classroom and in the ring. She has been well coached, but still has much room for growth. Her progress over the next few years will be fun to watch!" |
| JORDYN KLEVE |
| Distance // Urbandale, Ia. (Johnson HS)
PR's: 1500m - 4:35.81 // 3000m - 9:57.07 // 4000m XC - 13:46.94 // 5000m XC - 17:39.30 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Jordyn is another great high school runner from the state of Iowa that we believe will be a key contributor throughout her career at Mizzou." |
| KARISSA ROMAN |
| Jumps // Kewanee, Ill. (Wethersfield HS)
PR's: High Jump - 1.72m (5-8) |
Noteworthy
Coach Dan Lefever - "I am so pleased to include Karissa in our list of newcomers. I have enjoyed getting to know her and her family throughout the recruiting process. She is a great talent in the high jump and is just getting started with what she can accomplish. She is going to be fun to watch compete in the black and gold. She will be a great addition to our team both athletically and personally." |
| KATE SMITH |
| Distance // Ankeny, Ia. (Ankeny Centennial HS)
PR's: 1500m - 4:44.85 // 3000m - 10:04.67 // 4000m XC - 14:29.00 // 5000m XC - 18:15.30 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Kate is one of those kids that will surprise people this year. She had a great high school career, and has a big upside. As with all the freshman, we will take our time developing Kate, and it will be a lot of fun to watch that process." |
| HANNAH THOMAS |
| Distance // Urbandale, Ia. (Dowling HS)
PR's: 1500m - 4:47.07 // 4000m XC - 14:38.00 // 5000m XC - 19:04.10 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Hannah comes to us from the same high school that Karissa Schweizer graduated from. She is a team-oriented athlete who improved a lot this past spring. We are looking forward to working with her and helping her develop in the coming years." |
| CAROLYN WHITE |
| Distance // Festus, Mo. (Festus HS)
PR's: 800m - 2:15.45 // 1600m - 5:14.80 // 5000m XC - 18:36.50 |
Noteworthy
Coach Marc Burns - "Carolyn is another Festus star that wanted to become a Tiger, and we feel she can help us build our middle distance core group. Festus is a premier program in the state of Missouri, and we are excted to have a good group of their graduates running here at Mizzou!" |
Players Mentioned
