Fall 2011 Cross Country Schedule

Date	Opponent/Event	Location	Time
Sat., Sept. 3	UND Invite	Grand Forks, ND	9:00 & 9:30am
Fri., Sept. 16	SIUE CC Challenge	Edwardsville, IL	5:30 & 6:15pm
Sat., Oct. 1	Greater Louisville CC Classic	Louisville, KY	TBA
Fri., Oct. 14	Bradley Classic	Peoria, IL	4:20 & 5:00pm
Fri., Oct. 21	Illini Open	Champaign, IL	4:00 & 4:45pm

XC/T&F 2011 -2012 Signees

Callie Thommes  -  High Jump - of Burlington, IL (Burlington HS) 2011 2A state runner up in the high jump, Callie will compete in the jumps for the cougars.  We are really pleased to add another high jumper to our recruiting class.  Callie has tremendous upside, each year she has improved.  She jumps her best at big meets, this year jumping 5’5 at the state meet.  She will provide much needed consistency at that event for us. 

Schools considered -University of Iowa and Carthage                                                                                      

Ellen Goins – 400m/800m - of Metamora, IL (Metamora HS) will compete in the long sprints for the cougars running the 400/800.  Ellen was a consistent state qualifier for the Redbirds and also competed in XC.  Ellen will compete for a spot on the women’s 4 x 400m relay and will also have opportunities in the DMR.

Schools Considered - Bradley University, Eastern Illinois University and Monmouth College                   

Jessica Long – Shot Put/Discus – of Cahokia, Il (Cahokia HS) Jessica will compete in the throwing events for the cougars.  She was a 2 time state qualifier for the Comanche’s in the shot put and discus and was a finalist in the shot put 2011 finishing 8^th.  She will add depth in the throwing events for the cougars. 

Kala Griffin – XC/Distances – of Quincy, IL (UIC Flames) Kala comes to SIUE after competing her first year at the University of Illinois Chicago.  Kala was a three sport athlete in high school competing in XC/Track and Basketball, and was named three-time MVP for XC and two-time MVP for track and field.  She was a state qualifier in the 4 x 800m relay.

Kyle Lombardino –Shot/Discus Throw – of Fox Lake, IL (Grant Community HS) Kyle will be competing for the cougars in throwing events.  In just his second season as a track and field athlete Kyle has improved greatly.  A two sport athlete, Kyle also competed in Basketball for the Bulldogs.  This season Kyle was a state qualifier in the shot and discus throw, with personal best of 58’10 in the shot and over 173 feet in the discus. 

Other schools considered – East Carolina University

XC/T&F 2011 -2012 Signees

Jasmine Johnson – Hurdles/Jumps – of Arlington Tennessee (Arlington HS)   Johnson decided on the Cougars after considering several other Division I schools and will add versatility to the program.  Jasmine has been a multiple state medalist including a 4^th place finish this year in the Pentathlon.   "Jasmine is a determined competitor whose potential is endless," stated Jackson. "She will be an immediate impact athlete for the women's program." 

XC/T&F 2011 -2012 Signees

Jatavia Wright – Hurdles/Jumps – of Miami, Florida (Miami Central HS), a 5-foot, 11-inch; three-sport standout from Miami Central High School will make the trip north to Edwardsville.   Jatavia has had an outstanding prep career in Florida earning 10 medals at the state meet.  As a junior, Jatavia was the 100m Hurdle State Champion. "Jatavia was highly recruited by many schools and chose SIUE because she wants to be a part of history," said Jackson. "We look forward to adding her talent and commitment to excellence to our program." 

XC/T&F 2011 -2012 Signees

Nick Moore – Distance/Cross Country – of Springfield, IL (Springfield HS) - Joining the SIUE cross country team as well, Moore will add another talented distance runner to the mix for Head Coach Eileen McAllister. Moore finished in the top 40 at the Illinois High School Association Cross Country Championships while running for the Senators of Springfield High School after making the switch from soccer.  In 2010 Nick was on the 4 x 800m relay team that won the state championship and also broke the state record!  "Coached by former Cougar Trae Cotner, Nick brings a tough training mentality with him, which will help him be successful in the Ohio Valley Conference," added Jackson

XC/T&F 2011 -2012 Signees

Greg Block – Shot Put/Discus – of Lake Park, IL (Lake Park HS) - Block comes to SIUE from a long line of gifted throwers and a stellar career at Lake Park High School. Block has already thrown more than 58 feet in the shot put and farther than 170 feet in the discus.  In 2011 Indoor State Championship, Block finished as the state runner up with a throw over 57 feet!  "We look forward to Greg bringing a tremendous work ethic to the Cougar throws group," said Jackson. "We are delighted to add him to our men's program and expect him to make an immediate impact in the OVC." 

XC/T&F 2011 -2012 Signees

Laderrick Ward – Long/Triple/High Jump – of Cahokia, Il (Cahokia HS) Laderrick has chosen to continue his career competing close to home at SIUE.  Laderrick is one of the top 20 long jumpers in the country recording two jumps this year over 24’5”!  Laderrick has also recorded several jumps at 6’8 in the high jump and has a personal best of 46’4.5 in the triple jump.  Ward has 5 individual state medals, has been a state champion in the long jump, 2^nd in the triple jump and has been a part of two state runner- up teams, and winning it all this year in 2011! Our focus the last three years recruiting has been simple, recruit winners and Laderrick is a prime example of that.  We are pleased to add his talents to the men’s program!                                                                                                                                                                                  

Schools Considered – University of Kansas, University of Missouri

XC/T&F 2011 -2012 Signees

Veronica Citireag –  800/1500 - of Bihor, Romania (Jacksonville State University) Veronica comes to SIUE by way of JSU were she competed in everything from 400m – 1500m including the 400m Hurdles.  Veronica is a very accomplished and versatile runner.  Having competed for the Romania National Team in the 800m where she ran a personal best of 2.12.03 Veronica will bring a veteran spirit to the women’s team.  Veronica will be working on her master’s degree while competing for the cougars.  

XC/T&F 2011 -2012 Signees

Ahmad Evans – 100/200/400 - of Chicago, IL (De La Salle HS) Ahmad recently signed to compete in the sprints for the cougars.  Ahmad will add depth to the Men’s sprint group specializing in the short sprints and relays for the cougars.  Ahmad has been a state finalist since his sophomore year in HS. The two sport star decided to attend SIUE over many other schools and we are happy to have him.  We think the sky is the limit for him and we look forward to adding him to our program.             

XC/T&F 2011 - 2012 Signees

Elizabeth Hampl – Javelin/Discus/Shot Put - of Troy, IL (Triad HS) 2011 Class 2A shot put Indoor and Outdoor State Champion, Elizabeth Hampl has signed with the cougars.  Hampl is a strong and fierce competitor with tremendous athletic ability.  Hampl will join her former HS teammate Kristin Wykoff in the throws group.  Elizabeth will add depth to the talented throws group and will be looked to contribute right away at the conference level.  She possesses strength and is a good technical thrower and we are fortunate to add her talents and motivation to our team.

 Schools Considered - Eastern Illinois, Illinois State, Carbondale  

XC/T&F 2011 -2012 Signees

Jasmine Ranson – High /Triple/Long Jump - of Aurora, Il (West Aurora HS) Jasmine will compete for the cougars next season primarily in the jumps group.  Jasmine is a talented athlete who was an Illinois rising stars in the indoor and outdoor track seasons.   With personal best marks of 37’10 in the triple jump, 5’4 high jumper Jasmine will have an opportunity to contribute to the team right away.   We are really excited about having Jasmine in our program.  She has competed at a high level for many years and we look to continue to develop her talents. 

Schools Considered -Wichita State, Grambling and Northwest Missouri State                      

Jackson announces women's recruiting class

http://media.www.alestlelive.com/media/storage/paper351/news/2011/07/13/Sports/Jackson.Announces.Womens.Recruiting.Class-3999868.shtml

SIUE Golf Outing

Greetings all,
I wanted to first thank everyone for all of the positive feedback throughout the year. It has been much appreciated. This newsletter is to inform you of the upcoming events/activities over the course of the summer. Last year the Athletics Department held its first Annual golf outing in which all sports were represented. Held at Sunset Hills Country Club, over 275 people participated in either the morning or after-noon shotgun-style golf outing followed by a dinner auction to close out the night. Some coaches played in the outing, but many of us had the opportunity to greet/serve all of our alumni and business patrons. It was a great opportunity to meet so many of SIUE’s former athletes from all sports! The second Annual SIUE Athletics Depart-ment Golf Scramble will take place on Saturday, August 27, 2011, at the Sunset Hills Country Club located in Edwardsville. Support can come in many forms, a foursome team, tee spon-sor, or a ticket to attend the banquet that immediately follows the ending of the second shotgun. Come out and help support your track team and have a great time doing it! Please follow the link below for more info about the golf outing:

http://www.siuecougars.com/genrel/071211aaf.html

Coach Kareem Jackson

Track and Field Alumni in the news.

Former Cougar Track and Field Athlete Lisa Ribes goes pro
http://www.examiner.com/endurance-sports-in-tucson/tucson-triathlete-offers-tips-for-going-pro

SIUE record holder Alicia DeShasier Places third at US championships
http://www.thetelegraph.com/sports/-55784--.html

Comanches' Ward leaps at chance to compete for SIUE

http://www.bnd.com/2011/07/09/1780209/comanches-ward-leaps-at-chance.html

New Signings for SIUE Men's Track and Field

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE track and field Head Coach Kareem Jackson announced the addition of three student-athletes to the program for the 2012 campaign.

Ahmad Evans (Chicago), Kyle Lombardino (Fox Lake), and LaDerrick Ward (Cahokia) are set to join the Cougars for the indoor season.

Evans signed a National Letter of Intent and will specialize in the short sprints and relay events for SIUE.

"Ahmad has been a state finalist since his sophomore year of high school, and we are happy to have him," said Jackson. "We think the sky is the limit for him, and we look forward to adding him to our program."

Lombardino will add depth to the Cougar throws after an impressive finish to his Grant Community High School career. He qualified for the 2011 Illinois State meet in the shot put and discus in only his second year competing in track and field.

"Kyle's athleticism will provide a great deal of depth to the throwers group," said Assistant Coach Scott Block. "He should make an immediate impact at the conference level."

Ward joins SIUE from Cahokia High School where he finished his career as one of the top 20 long jumpers in the country. A five-time individual state medalist, Ward claimed an individual state championship in the long jump to go with a second-place finish in the triple jump. He also helped lead his Cahokia team to the 2011 state title.

"Our recruiting focus the last three years has been simple -- to recruit winners. LaDerrick is a prime example of that," added Jackson. "We are pleased to add his talents to the men's program."

-siue cougars-

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the new blog of the SIUE Track & Field/Cross Country teams.