Track and Field Finalizes Class With Five Signees
Continuing to build on their 2013 SSAC Championship and strong recruiting class, Coach Rick Ludwig announces five more commitments to the 2014 Brenau University Track and Field squad.
Monika Nwajei, a long sprinter and middle distance runner, is a graduate of Dunwoody High School. Nwajei was a member of Dunwoody's 5A State Championship team in 2013, running the 2nd leg of 5A State Championship 4 x 400 team. She has personal records of 59.73 in the 400 meters and 2:25 in the 800 meters Coach Ludwig talks about Nwajei's competitive drive saying, "Monika has a tremendous amount of talent and competitive drive. She has shown she is not afraid of hard work being coached by former 400 meter record holder and Olympian Antonio McKay at Dunwoody. She will be an immediate help to our 4 x 400 relay and team and compete very well in the 800 as well".
The Golden Tigers also add Anazjah Mayes from Dacula High School. Mayes is the Green County Tiger Invitational Individual Champion in the 400 and 800 meters and has personal bests of 59.70 in the 400 meters and 2:25.46 in the 800 meters. Ludwig notes that, "Anazjah will make an immediate impact on our 4 x 400 team and be immediately competitive in the 400, 800 and beyond. She's another athlete that will benefit tremendously from cross country and year-round endurance training."
Ludwig also adds another versatile athlete in local runner Taylor Daigrapont, A graduate of Chestatee High School, Diagrapont is a sprinter and vaulter. With personal records of 13.31 in 100 meters, and 5' 6" in pole vault, Ludwig sees her as an outstanding addition to the program. "We see Taylor as a multi-event specialist, which can be very valuable at team scoring meets such as the SSAC Championships," says Ludwig. "Taylor has shown amazing ability to master new track events and use her speed. She is an enthusiastic learner willing to try hurdles, jumps and vaulting. With that type of drive and persistence, she will be a welcome addition to our team.
Rebecca Riddle, a thrower and pole vaulter, has personal records of 90-2 in the discus, 31-9.5 in the shot put and 5'6" in the pole vault. A graduate of Gilmer County High School, Riddle brings versatility and well-rounded skill set. "Rebecca is a natural athlete that comes from a very athletic family with a sincere desire to compete at the college level," said Coach Ludwig. "We hope to develop her as a thrower as well as vaulter. She has shown potential as a multi-eventer for our team".
The final signee of the 2013 class is Utami Ketchum, a local runner from Flowery Branch High School in Flowery Branch, GA. Ketchum has a personal best 5000 meter time of 21:31.64 and will run both cross-country and track for the Golden Tigers. Coach Ludwig notes that although Ketchum had to give up running due to some injuries and illness, she has trained independently and was determined to be a part of the Golden Tigers running teams. "Utami very dedicated and very mature young woman who has training on her own over the past year," says Coach Ludwig. "She has made remarkable progress and shown she can run at the collegiate level. We sincerely feel her best years of running are ahead of her. She is a wonderful example of persistence and perseverance."
With the addition of these runners, the Golden Tigers Track and Field team completes their 2014 class with twelve total commitments and looks forward to competing for a 2nd SSAC Track and Field Championship.