KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

TERRE HAUTE, IND. ? Indiana State men's track & field coach John McNichols announced today the addition of two more recruits for the 2010-2011 season after Austen Barnes (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and Justin Applegate (Martinsville, Ind.) signed National Letters of Intent to attend Indiana State starting next fall.

Barnes competes for Homestead High School and is the No. 2 returning 400 meter runner in the state of Indiana. He was fourth in the 2009 state meet in the 400 meters with a time of 48.65. Barnes also competed at the 2009 USA Track & Field (USATF) Junior Olympics where he finished fourth as part of the 4x400 meter relay team competing for the Fort Wayne Express Track Club with a time of 3:16.16. He also finished 13th in the 400 meters with a time of 48.79.

“Austen is an athlete that could step in and help us right away,” McNichols said. “He is a great addition to our long sprinters and could be a part of a very, very good 4x400 team for us next year.”

Applegate is the No. 2 returning discus thrower in the state of Indiana, finishing ninth at the 2009 state meet with a distance of 159'-5” and 13th at the 2008 state meet with a distance of 151'-0”. He has a personal best throw of 172'-9” which he threw in finishing third at the 2009 regionals.

“Justin has proven himself to be one of the best discus throwers in the state,” McNichols said. “He will also help us in the hammer throw. He has had good coaching and has good technique which will only be enhanced with the coaching he will receive on the Division I level.”