TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State Track and Field/Cross Country Program Director and Head Coach Angela Martin announced the addition of 34 student-athletes to the roster for the 2022-23 season Friday.
 
The incoming signing class consists of 17 men and 17 women, with the newcomers hailing from seven different states. 21 of the 34 newcomers are Indiana natives, with Illinois (six), Iowa (one), Kentucky (one), Ohio (one), South Dakota (one) and Wisconsin (one) also represented by the signing class. In addition, the Sycamores also have two international athletes joining the program, one each from Canada and the Faroe Islands.

Included in the signing class are six transfers, all of which either competed at the NJCAA National Championships or scored points in their respective conference championships at the NCAA. Of the 28 incoming freshmen, 25 have state championship experience.
 
The 33 newcomers join a Sycamore team that returned to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference during the 2021-22 season. Indiana State swept the 2022 MVC Indoor Track and Field Championship titles and also won the 2022 MVC Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship.
 
 
MEN
Ethan Baitz // Distance // Fort Wayne, Ind. // Homestead HS
PRs: 1600m – 4:35 // 3200m – 9:52 // 5000m – 15:50 (XC)

• Earned top-three finishes at both sectionals and regionals in 2022
• Top-20 finish at the 2020 IHSAA State Cross Country Championships
• Finished seventh at the 2021 Nike XC Town Twilight, which took place at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course

 
Isaac Bryant // Distance // Grinnell, Iowa // Grinnell-Newburg HS // Indian Hills CC
PRs: 5000m – 15:24 // 8000m (XC) – 26:21 // 10,000m – 31:21
Accomplishments:

• Part of the Indian Hills DMR team that placed sixth at the 2021 NJCAA Indoor Championshps
• 14th in the 10,000m at the 2022 NJCAA Outdoor Championships
• PR in the 5000m was set at the 2022 NJCAA Indoor Championships
• Top-50 finishes at each of the last two NJCAA Cross Country Championships

 
Nicholas Burns // Mid-Distance // Mooresville, Ind. // Mooresville HS
PRs: 800m – 1:57
Accomplishments:

• Top-five finishes in the 800m at both conference and sectional meets in 2022
• Part of Mooresville's 4x800m relay team that reached regionals in 2022
• Runner-up in the 800m at the 2021 county championships

 
Conner Burries // Pole Vault // Greenwood, Ind. // Center Grove HS
PRs: PV – 16-00.00
Accomplishments:

• Runner-up at the 2022 IHSAA State Championships in the pole vault
• PR came at the 2022 IHSAA State Championships
• 2022 sectional and regional champion in the pole vault

 
Gavin Connelly // Throws // Lynnville, Ind. // Tecumseh HS
PRs: SP – 56-10.00 // DT – 170-00
Accomplishments:

• Sixth at the 2022 IHSAA State Championships in the discus with a top mark of 163-00
• 15th at the 2022 IHSAA State Championships in the shot put with a top mark of 54-09.25
• 17th at the 2021 IHSAA State Championships in the discus with a top mark of 146-05
• Won four sectional championships and a regional championship in the throws events

 
Emerson Fayman // Distance // Channahon, Ill. // Minooka HS
PRs: 800m – 1:56.44 // 1600m – 4:17.37 // 3200m – 9:27.45 // 3-mile (XC) – 15:23
Accomplishments:

• Two-time Illinois State Qualifier in cross country
• Top-10 finish at cross country regionals in 2021
• Eighth in the 800m at the Illinois Class 3A State Championships in 2022

 
Collin Forrest // Hurdles // Joliet, Ill. // Minooka HS
PRs: 110m Hurdles – 14.05 // 300m Hurdles – 38.20
Accomplishments:

• 2022 Illinois Class 3A State Champion in the 100m Hurdles
• Ninth at the 2022 Illinois Class 3A State Championships in the 300m Hurdles
• 2022 sectional and regional champion in the 110m Hurdles

 
Piere Hill // Long Jump // Portage, Ind. // Portage HS
PRs: LJ – 23-11.00
Accomplishments:

• 2022 IHSAA State Champion in the long jump
• Also competed in the 200m at the 2022 IHSAA State Championships
• 2022 sectional and regional champion in the long jump, also won the 200m at sectionals
• Sectional and regional champion in the long jump in 2021

 
Trent Jones // Sprints // Crawfordsville, Ind. // Southmont HS
PRs: 200m – 21.70 // 400m – 48.88
Accomplishments:

• 11th at the 2021 ISHAA State Championships in the 400m with a time of 49.89
• Eight-time conference champion, including a sweep of all four events he competed in at the 2021 conference championships (100m, 200m, 400m, long jump)

 
Ty Newsom // High Jump/Multi // Gas City, Ind. // Mississinewa HS
PRs: HJ – 6-03.00
Accomplishments:

• Placed first at sectionals in the high jump in 2021 and 2022
• Top two jumps in his career have come at sectionals

 
Terrance O'Bannon // Sprints // Louisville, Ky. // Eastern HS
PRs: 60m – 6.84 // 100m – 10.29 // 200m – 21.82
Accomplishments:

• Runner-up in the 100m at the 2021 and 2022 Kentucky Class 3A State Championships
• Kentucky indoor state champion in the 60m and 200m in 2022
• Region champion in both the 100m and 200m in 2022
• School record holder in the 100m

 
Daniel O'Laughlin // Pole Vault // New Carlisle, Ind. // New Prairie HS
PRs: PV – 15-00.00

• 12th at the 2021 IHSAA State Championships in the pole vault
• 2021 sectional champion in the pole vault

 
Parker Speth // Pole Vault // Newburgh, Ind. // Castle HS
PRs: PV – 15-11.00
Accomplishments:

• Fourth at the 2022 IHSAA State Championships in the pole vault
• Seventh at the 2021 IHSAA State Championships in the pole vault
• Sectional champion in the pole vault in both 2021 and 2022, also a regional champion in 2022

 
Isiah Thomas // Sprints // Milwaukee, Wis. // Vincent HS // Indian Hills CC
PRs: 60m – 6.76 // 100m – 10.39 // 200m – 21.46
Accomplishments:

• Six-time NJCAA National Qualifier
• Part of 4x100m relay team that finished second at the 2022 NJCAA Outdoor National Championships
• Ninth in the 60m at the 2022 NJCAA Indoor National Championships
• 16th in the 100m at the 2022 NJCAA Outdoor National Championships

 
Trevor Thompson // High Jump // Union City, Ind. // Union City HS // Southern Illinois
PRs: HJ – 2.11m (6-11.00)
Accomplishments:

• 2022 Missouri Valley Conference Champion (high jump – outdoor)
• 2022 NCAA West Preliminary Round Qualifier (high jump – 23rd)
• Third at the 2022 MVC Indoor Championships in the high jump
• Has also competed as a multi athlete, scoring points at the 2020 MVC Indoor Championships and 2021 MVC Outdoor Championships

 
Jackson Ward // Distance // Washington, Ill. // Washington HS
PRs: Mile – 4:21.73 // 3200m – 9:47.90  // 3-mile (XC) – 15:10
Accomplishments:

• 11th at the 2021 Illinois Class 2A Cross Country State Championships
• 20th at the 2019 Illinois Class 2A Cross Country State Championships
• Three-time Illinois Class 2A Cross Country State Championship Qualifier
• Illinois Class 3A State Championship Qualifier in the 1600m in 2021

 
Cannen Wolf // Distance // Liberty, Ill. // Liberty HS
PRs: Mile – 4:31.28 // 3200m – 9:35.50 // 3-mile (XC) – 15:19
Accomplishments:

• Sixth in the 3200m at the 2022 Illinois Class 1A State Championships, 16th in the event at the 2021 Illinois Class 1A State Championships
• 11th in the 1600m at the 2022 Illinois Class 1A State Championships
• 12th at the 2021 Illinois Class 1A Cross Country State Championships

 
WOMEN
Niesha Anderson // Throws // Fort Wayne, Ind. // Snider HS
PRs: SP – 46-02.00 // DT – 133-10
Accomplishments:

• Third at the 2022 IHSAA State Championships in the shot put
• Fifth at the 2021 IHSAA State Championships in the shot put
• Sectional champion in both shot put and discus in 2022, also won regionals in shot put
• Ranked 17th in the nation for the class of 2022

 
Abigail Ballengee // Pole Vault // Montgomery, Ind. // Barr-Reeve HS
PRs: PV – 11-03.00
Accomplishments:

• 10th at the 2022 IHSAA State Championship in the pole vault
• 15th at the 2021 IHSAA State Championship in the pole vault
• Sectional champion in the pole vault in 2021 and 2022

 
Maria Biskopstoe // Long Sprints // Klaksvik, Faroe Islands, Denmark
PRs: 400m – 58.01 // 800m – 2:14.13 // 1500m – 4:48.30 // 400m Hurdles – 1:05.25
Accomplishments:

• Competed internationally in meets in both Denmark and Sweden
• Won the indoor 400m at Pallasspelen, Atleticum, Malmo (Sweden) in 2022

 
Janiya Bowman // Sprints/Long Jump // Plainfield, Ill. // Plainfield South HS
PRs: 60m – 7.96 // 100m – 11.98 // 200m – 24.60 // LJ – 18-07.25
Accomplishments:

• Sixth in the 200m and long jump at the 2022 Illinois Class 3A State Championships
• Eighth in the 100m at the 2022 Illinois Class 3A State Championships
• Ninth in the 200m at the 2021 Illinois Class 3A State Championships

Alysha Bradford // Sprints // Camby, Ind. // Mooresville HS
PRs: 200m – 25.21 // 400m – 56.17
Accomplishments:

• 2022 IHSAA State Championship Qualifier in the 200m, 400m and 4x400m relay
• 13th at the 2021 IHSAA State Championships in the 200m
• Part of 4x100m relay team that placed 15th at the 2019 IHSAA State Championships

 
Cami Farmer // Distance // Indianapolis, Ind. // Franklin Central HS
PRs: mile – 5:34 // 3200m – 11:52 // 5000m – 19:12 (XC)
Accomplishments:

• Four-time IHSAA State Championship Qualifier in cross country
• Earned a top-10 finish at regionals on three different occasions

 
Josie Hapack // Throws // Highland, Ill. // Highland HS
PRs: SP – 40-11.75 // DT – 130-11.25
Accomplishments:

• Third at the 2022 Illinois Class 2A State Championship in the discus throw
• Fourth at the 2022 Illinois Class 2A State Championship in the shot put
• Seventh at the 2021 Illinois Class 2A State Championship in the discus throw
• Third at the Illinois 2022 Indoor Prep Top Times Meet

 
Hannah Hendrick // Pole Vault // Spearfish, S.D. // Brandon Valley HS // Black Hills State
PRs: PV – 3.90m (12-09.50)
Accomplishments:

• Black Hills State school record holder in the pole vault (outdoor)
• Third in the pole vault at the 2022 RMAC Outdoor Championships, fourth at the 2021 RMAC Outdoor Championships
• Third in the pole vault at the 2021 RMAC Indoor Championships, fifth at the 2022 RMAC Indoor Championships
• Runner-up at the 2019 RMAC Outdoor Championships in the pole vault
• Has also competed in the 60m, 200m, javelin throw and 4x400m relay during her collegiate career
• Top-three finishes in three different events at the South Dakota Class AA State Championship (first – pole vault, second – 4x400m relay, third – 4x100m relay)

 
Taylor Jackson // Hurdles // Hobart, Ind. // Merrillville HS
PRs: 60m Hurdles – 8.90 // 100m Hurdles – 13.97
Accomplishments:

• Runner-up in the 100m Hurdles at the 2022 IHSAA State Championships
• 11th in the 300m Hurdles at the 2022 IHSAA State Championships
• Sectional and regional champion in both the 100m Hurdles and 300m Hurdles in 2022
• Qualified for the 2021 IHSAA State Championships in both the 100m Hurdles and 300m Hurdles

 
Essence Johnson // High Jump // St. John, Ind. // Lake Central HS
PRs: HJ – 5-06.00
Accomplishments:

• Fifth at the 2021 IHSAA State Championship in the high jump
• 15th at the 2022 IHSAA State Championship in the high jump
• Also placed first in the high jump at regionals in 2021

 
Nyla Jones // Sprints // Indianapolis, Ind. // Ben Davis HS
PRs: 60m – 7.62 // 100m – 12.04 // 200m – 25.96
Accomplishments:

• Fifth at the 2021 IHSAA State Championship in both the 100m and 4x100m relay
• Sixth at the 2022 IHSAA State Championship in the 100m
• 11th at the 2021 IHSAA State Championship in the 4x400m relay

 
Sara Skaff // Distance // Sandusky, Ohio // Perkins HS
PRs: 1600m – 5:10 // 3200m – 11:09 // 5000m – 19:11 (XC)
Accomplishments:

• Sixth at the 2022 Ohio State Championships in the 3200m
• Placed first at the conference championships in both the 1600m and 3200m
• 34th at the 2021 Ohio State Cross Country Championships

 
Allison Steffey // Distance // West Lafayette, Ind. // West Lafayette HS
PRs: 1600m – 5:08 // 3200m – 11:09 // 5000m – 18:51 (XC)
Accomplishments:

• Three-time IHSAA State Championship Qualifier in cross country
• Top finish at the IHSAA Cross Country State Championship was 31st in 2019
• Part of 4x800m relay team that placed first at the 2019 IHSAA State Championships

 
Brooklynn Williams // Sprints // South Bend, Ind. // Washington HS
PRs: 100m – 12.64 // 200m – 26.60
Accomplishments:

• 2022 IHSAA State Championship Qualifier in the 100m
• Top-five finishes at regionals in the 100m in 2021 and 2022

 
Collette Wolfe // Sprints/Hurdles // Waterloo, Ontario, Canada // South Dakota State
PRs: 60m – 7.59 // 100m – 11.88 // 200m – 25.24 // 60m Hurdles – 8.80 // 100m Hurdles – 14.05
Accomplishments:

• Runner-up at the 2021 Summit League Outdoor Championships in the 4x100m relay, fourth at the 2022 Summit League Outdoor Championships
• Fourth at the 2022 Summit League Indoor Championships in the 60m
• Fourth at the 2021 Summit League Outdoor Championships in the 100m
• Seventh at the 2021 Summit League Indoor Championships in the 60m
• Eighth at the 2022 Summit League Outdoor Championships in both the 100m and 100m hurdles

 
Kyra Young // Distance // Mishawaka, Ind. // Mishawaka HS // Vincennes
PRs: 800m – 2:26 // 1500m – 4:58 // Mile – 5:28 // 5000m – 19:15 (XC)
Accomplishments:

• Ninth in the distance medley relay and 10th in the mile at the 2021 NJCAA Indoor Championships
• 11th at the 2020 NJCAA Cross Country Championships
• 14th in the distance medley relay and 18th in the mile at the 2022 NJCAA Indoor Championships
• 14th in the 1500m at the 2021 NJCAA Outdoor Championships

 
Sophia Yovanovich // Multi // Lebanon, Ind. // Zionsville HS
PRs: 60m – 7.75 // 100m – 11.82 // 200m – 25.08 // 60m Hurdles – 9.83 // 100m Hurdles – 15.16 // LJ – 18-01.75
Accomplishments:

• 2022 IHSAA State Champion in the 4x100m
• Runner-up at the 2022 IHSAA State Championship in the 100m
• 16th at the 2022 IHSAA State Championship in the long jump

 
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