Indiana University Athletics
Helmer Announces 2017 Signing Class
7/5/2017 4:55:00 PM | Track and Field
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University track and field head coach Ron Helmer has announced 17 members of the Hoosier signing class of 2017.
The class consists of four athletes ranked within the top 10 in their respective event in the country and boasts a total of 19 state championships throughout their collegiate careers.
"We are really excited about this year's class as it represents a diverse group of kids while covering all of the event areas," said coach Helmer. "The group includes a couple of international athletes along with a strong Indiana and Midwestern base. We think that they reinforce a young team that has already seen great success at both the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA meet. With multiple nationally ranked athletes, this group should help us continue to grow and take another significant step forward as a program."
Women:
Anna Watson
Olentangy Orange, Ohio
Hometown: Lewis Center, Ohio
Pole Vault: 13'9" (US #3)
2x State Champion
2017 New Balance Outdoor National Champion
Coach Helmer on Anna Watson: "Anna's already one of the best Pole Vaulters in the country, but coach Wiseman is excited because of all the ways that he thinks she can continue to improve. We're excited for what the next four years could have in store for her."
Natalie Price
Granville High School, Ohio
Hometown: Granville, Ohio
400m: 52.93 (US #7)
200m: 23.90
100m: 11.86
60m: 7.55
4x State Champion in the 400m Dash
3rd at the 2017 Brooks PR Invitational
Coach Helmer on Natalie: "Natalie has great range having been nationally competitive anywhere from the 60 to the 400. It is now our job to continue to develop that range so that she can make an immediate impact at both a Big Ten and national level."
Maddie Pollard
Anthony Wayne High School, Ohio
Hometown: Whitehouse, Ohio
Discus: 163'2" (US #17)
Hammer: 170'3" (US #16)
Shot Put: 48'11.5" (US #11)
3x State Champion in the Shot Put
2x State Champion in the Discus
2nd in the Discus, 4th in the Shot Put, and 5th in the Hammer at the 2017 New Balance Outdoor Nationals
Coach Helmer on Maddie: "Coach Martin is drawn to high level throwers that can contribute and train in all three events. Maddie might as well be the poster child for that after three top five finishes at the New Balance Outdoor National meet, and her work ethic and competitiveness should make our program better as soon as she arrives."
Zykeria Williams
Baldwin High School, Georgia
Hometown: Milledgeville, Georgia
100m Hurdles: 13.69
200m: 23.80
400m: 55.88
Long Jump: 18'11"
3x State Champion
Scored 110 team points between her area, region, and state meet in 2017
2017 All-Middle Georgia Athlete of the Year
Coach Helmer on Zykeria: "Zykeria became a great hurdler after already winning a state championship in the 200m dash as a sophomore, and her speed and versatility is crucial to her becoming a national caliber athlete. Ultimately, our opportunity to find her best event will result from her making significant contributions in multiple events at a high level in our conference."
Claire Hamilton
Naperville North High School, Illinois
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
1600m: 4:51.15
3200m: 10:46.37
4th at the 2017 Illinois State Meet
Coach Helmer on Claire: "Her best races have been on the track as an individual, but she also made major contributions in cross country to two state championship teams. The challenge ahead of her is to continue to develop into a three season athlete, and we think she can do that very quickly."
Josey Korte
Angola High School, Indiana
Hometown: Fremont, Indiana
1,600m: 4:54.24
2nd at the 2017 Indiana State Meet
Coach Helmer on Josey: "Josey has performed very well when she gets to the state tournament, but she has got as much potential as anyone we have added in the last couple of years. It is really exciting to think about how good she can be once she figures out how to manage a larger training load while handling a tougher collegiate schedule, and there is no question that she is up to the challenge."
Alexis Hill
Perry Meridian High School, Indiana
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Shot Put: 43'2"
Discus: 127'1"
Coach Helmer on Alexis: "She has been a solid high school performer over the last couple of years, but she is entering arguably the toughest event area in the Big Ten. Coach Martin really believes that she has the physical gifts to grow at a high level once she becomes consistent in the weight room and throws all year round, so ultimately she should find a way to make a significant contribution."
Lorena Daugherty
Penn High School, Indiana
Hometown: Oseola, Indiana
800m: 2:16
Lead off for the 2016 4x800 State Championship Relay
Coach Helmer on Lorena: "Lorena gave great carries on some high level 4x800 relays. She brings a great attitude and is motivated to do the work, and we have had a lot of success with those types of kids in the middle-distance events."
Men:
Nick Lane
Bowling Green High School, Ohio
Hometown: Bowling Green, Ohio
Hammer: 219'10" (US #6)
Weight: 75'11" (US #4)
Shot Put: 59'7.5"
Discus: 175'11"
4x State Champion
5th in the Hammer at the 2017 New Balance Outdoor Nationals
5th in the Hammer at the 2017 USATF Junior National Meet
Coach Helmer on Nick: "Nick brings both a state championship pedigree as well as the versatility that coach Martin likes in an elite thrower. We are excited to see how his size and frame help him transition to the heavier implements, and there is no question that he can make multiple early contributions at a championship level."
Jyles Etienne
The Stony Brook School, New York
Hometown: Nassau, Bahamas
High Jump: 7'1.75" (US# 7)
2016 New York State Champion
2nd at New Balance Outdoor Nationals in 2016, 4th in 2017
3rd at the 2017 U20 Carifta Games
Coach Helmer on Jyles: "He came to the US as a full time basketball player and a part time high jumper, yet he has become one of the best Caribbean jumpers and one of the top high school performers in the US. He is a physically gifted athlete, and we cannot wait to see what he can do in an Indiana uniform."
Rikkoi Brathwaite
IMG Academy, Florida
Hometown: Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
100m: 10.34 (US #16)
200m: 21.52
4th at the 2017 New Balance Outdoor Nationals
Coach Helmer on Rikkoi: "We are excited to add a high level short sprinter to our program. Rikkoi has improved significantly in just the last year, and we look forward to continuing that development over the next several years as he's shown the potential to be a national level sprinter."
Isaiah Ware
North Central High School, Indiana
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
100m: 10.73
200m: 21.99
400m: 47.91
2017 IHSAA 400m State Champion
Coach Helmer on Isaiah: "We are really excited to add another Indiana state champion this late in the recruiting process. Isaiah came out early last spring running much faster than he ever had, and he demonstrated some great range at the state championship meet by winning the 400m state title shortly after a seventh place finish in the 100m. If he comes in ready to work this fall, he could make an immediate contribution at the conference level."
Aaron Bennett
Westfield High School, Indiana
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
800m: 1:53.52
1600: 4:19.18
5k XC: 15:37
3rd at the 2017 Midwest Meet of Champions
13th at the Indiana State Cross Country Meet
Coach Helmer on Aaron: "We have watched him run well the last couple years in both cross country and on the track, and we cannot wait to figure out where his true talent is as he's only scratched the surface of his potential."
Zubin Muncherji
Hometown: Singapore
400m: 47.30
Coach Helmer on Zubin: "After serving two years in the military, we are excited about the experience, maturity, and enthusiasm he brings to the track. He will be a very positive and hard-working addition to our young and growing sprint group."
Josh Hall
Center Grove High School, Indiana
Hometown: Greenwood, Indiana
Pole Vault: 15'9"
7th at the 2016 IHSAA Boys State Meet
Coach Helmer on Josh: "Josh was really taking off before an injury cut his senior season short. Coach Wiseman watched him as a junior and felt he was as good as any vaulter at the state meet, and we think Josh is capable of adding his name to one of our programs most accomplished performance lists."
Christian Goines
Center Grove High School, Indiana
Hometown: Greenwood, Indiana
110m Hurdles: 14.42
60m Hurdles: 8.15
High Jump: 6'6"
6th at the 2017 IHSAA State meet, 2nd at Indoor State
Coach Helmer on Christian: "Christian is another great athlete that developed out of the outstanding Center Grove track and field program. He has good size and versatility, and we think he will make a very quick transition and contribution over the 42" hurdles."
Reese Jordan
Maine South High School, Illinois
Hometown: Park Ridge, Illinois
1600m: 4:18
3 Mile XC: 14:30
11th at the 2016 State Cross Country Meet
Coach Helmer on Reese: "Reese was consistently at the front during his senior year of cross country, and we think he can develop into a great 8k and 10k cross country runner while we figure out what his best event is on the track."
Jackson Jett
Neuqua Valley High School, Illinois
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
3 Mile XC: 14:33
5k XC: 15:24
8th at the 2016 State Cross Country Meet
Coach Helmer on Jackson: "He ran really strong cross country last fall and ran an outstanding time on the Lavern Gibson course during the Nike regional. We have no doubt that our program will help him duplicate that success on the track as well."
#GoIU
The class consists of four athletes ranked within the top 10 in their respective event in the country and boasts a total of 19 state championships throughout their collegiate careers.
"We are really excited about this year's class as it represents a diverse group of kids while covering all of the event areas," said coach Helmer. "The group includes a couple of international athletes along with a strong Indiana and Midwestern base. We think that they reinforce a young team that has already seen great success at both the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA meet. With multiple nationally ranked athletes, this group should help us continue to grow and take another significant step forward as a program."
Women:
Anna Watson
Olentangy Orange, Ohio
Hometown: Lewis Center, Ohio
Pole Vault: 13'9" (US #3)
2x State Champion
2017 New Balance Outdoor National Champion
Coach Helmer on Anna Watson: "Anna's already one of the best Pole Vaulters in the country, but coach Wiseman is excited because of all the ways that he thinks she can continue to improve. We're excited for what the next four years could have in store for her."
Natalie Price
Granville High School, Ohio
Hometown: Granville, Ohio
400m: 52.93 (US #7)
200m: 23.90
100m: 11.86
60m: 7.55
4x State Champion in the 400m Dash
3rd at the 2017 Brooks PR Invitational
Coach Helmer on Natalie: "Natalie has great range having been nationally competitive anywhere from the 60 to the 400. It is now our job to continue to develop that range so that she can make an immediate impact at both a Big Ten and national level."
Maddie Pollard
Anthony Wayne High School, Ohio
Hometown: Whitehouse, Ohio
Discus: 163'2" (US #17)
Hammer: 170'3" (US #16)
Shot Put: 48'11.5" (US #11)
3x State Champion in the Shot Put
2x State Champion in the Discus
2nd in the Discus, 4th in the Shot Put, and 5th in the Hammer at the 2017 New Balance Outdoor Nationals
Coach Helmer on Maddie: "Coach Martin is drawn to high level throwers that can contribute and train in all three events. Maddie might as well be the poster child for that after three top five finishes at the New Balance Outdoor National meet, and her work ethic and competitiveness should make our program better as soon as she arrives."
Zykeria Williams
Baldwin High School, Georgia
Hometown: Milledgeville, Georgia
100m Hurdles: 13.69
200m: 23.80
400m: 55.88
Long Jump: 18'11"
3x State Champion
Scored 110 team points between her area, region, and state meet in 2017
2017 All-Middle Georgia Athlete of the Year
Coach Helmer on Zykeria: "Zykeria became a great hurdler after already winning a state championship in the 200m dash as a sophomore, and her speed and versatility is crucial to her becoming a national caliber athlete. Ultimately, our opportunity to find her best event will result from her making significant contributions in multiple events at a high level in our conference."
Claire Hamilton
Naperville North High School, Illinois
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
1600m: 4:51.15
3200m: 10:46.37
4th at the 2017 Illinois State Meet
Coach Helmer on Claire: "Her best races have been on the track as an individual, but she also made major contributions in cross country to two state championship teams. The challenge ahead of her is to continue to develop into a three season athlete, and we think she can do that very quickly."
Josey Korte
Angola High School, Indiana
Hometown: Fremont, Indiana
1,600m: 4:54.24
2nd at the 2017 Indiana State Meet
Coach Helmer on Josey: "Josey has performed very well when she gets to the state tournament, but she has got as much potential as anyone we have added in the last couple of years. It is really exciting to think about how good she can be once she figures out how to manage a larger training load while handling a tougher collegiate schedule, and there is no question that she is up to the challenge."
Alexis Hill
Perry Meridian High School, Indiana
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Shot Put: 43'2"
Discus: 127'1"
Coach Helmer on Alexis: "She has been a solid high school performer over the last couple of years, but she is entering arguably the toughest event area in the Big Ten. Coach Martin really believes that she has the physical gifts to grow at a high level once she becomes consistent in the weight room and throws all year round, so ultimately she should find a way to make a significant contribution."
Lorena Daugherty
Penn High School, Indiana
Hometown: Oseola, Indiana
800m: 2:16
Lead off for the 2016 4x800 State Championship Relay
Coach Helmer on Lorena: "Lorena gave great carries on some high level 4x800 relays. She brings a great attitude and is motivated to do the work, and we have had a lot of success with those types of kids in the middle-distance events."
Men:
Nick Lane
Bowling Green High School, Ohio
Hometown: Bowling Green, Ohio
Hammer: 219'10" (US #6)
Weight: 75'11" (US #4)
Shot Put: 59'7.5"
Discus: 175'11"
4x State Champion
5th in the Hammer at the 2017 New Balance Outdoor Nationals
5th in the Hammer at the 2017 USATF Junior National Meet
Coach Helmer on Nick: "Nick brings both a state championship pedigree as well as the versatility that coach Martin likes in an elite thrower. We are excited to see how his size and frame help him transition to the heavier implements, and there is no question that he can make multiple early contributions at a championship level."
Jyles Etienne
The Stony Brook School, New York
Hometown: Nassau, Bahamas
High Jump: 7'1.75" (US# 7)
2016 New York State Champion
2nd at New Balance Outdoor Nationals in 2016, 4th in 2017
3rd at the 2017 U20 Carifta Games
Coach Helmer on Jyles: "He came to the US as a full time basketball player and a part time high jumper, yet he has become one of the best Caribbean jumpers and one of the top high school performers in the US. He is a physically gifted athlete, and we cannot wait to see what he can do in an Indiana uniform."
Rikkoi Brathwaite
IMG Academy, Florida
Hometown: Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
100m: 10.34 (US #16)
200m: 21.52
4th at the 2017 New Balance Outdoor Nationals
Coach Helmer on Rikkoi: "We are excited to add a high level short sprinter to our program. Rikkoi has improved significantly in just the last year, and we look forward to continuing that development over the next several years as he's shown the potential to be a national level sprinter."
Isaiah Ware
North Central High School, Indiana
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
100m: 10.73
200m: 21.99
400m: 47.91
2017 IHSAA 400m State Champion
Coach Helmer on Isaiah: "We are really excited to add another Indiana state champion this late in the recruiting process. Isaiah came out early last spring running much faster than he ever had, and he demonstrated some great range at the state championship meet by winning the 400m state title shortly after a seventh place finish in the 100m. If he comes in ready to work this fall, he could make an immediate contribution at the conference level."
Aaron Bennett
Westfield High School, Indiana
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
800m: 1:53.52
1600: 4:19.18
5k XC: 15:37
3rd at the 2017 Midwest Meet of Champions
13th at the Indiana State Cross Country Meet
Coach Helmer on Aaron: "We have watched him run well the last couple years in both cross country and on the track, and we cannot wait to figure out where his true talent is as he's only scratched the surface of his potential."
Zubin Muncherji
Hometown: Singapore
400m: 47.30
Coach Helmer on Zubin: "After serving two years in the military, we are excited about the experience, maturity, and enthusiasm he brings to the track. He will be a very positive and hard-working addition to our young and growing sprint group."
Josh Hall
Center Grove High School, Indiana
Hometown: Greenwood, Indiana
Pole Vault: 15'9"
7th at the 2016 IHSAA Boys State Meet
Coach Helmer on Josh: "Josh was really taking off before an injury cut his senior season short. Coach Wiseman watched him as a junior and felt he was as good as any vaulter at the state meet, and we think Josh is capable of adding his name to one of our programs most accomplished performance lists."
Christian Goines
Center Grove High School, Indiana
Hometown: Greenwood, Indiana
110m Hurdles: 14.42
60m Hurdles: 8.15
High Jump: 6'6"
6th at the 2017 IHSAA State meet, 2nd at Indoor State
Coach Helmer on Christian: "Christian is another great athlete that developed out of the outstanding Center Grove track and field program. He has good size and versatility, and we think he will make a very quick transition and contribution over the 42" hurdles."
Reese Jordan
Maine South High School, Illinois
Hometown: Park Ridge, Illinois
1600m: 4:18
3 Mile XC: 14:30
11th at the 2016 State Cross Country Meet
Coach Helmer on Reese: "Reese was consistently at the front during his senior year of cross country, and we think he can develop into a great 8k and 10k cross country runner while we figure out what his best event is on the track."
Jackson Jett
Neuqua Valley High School, Illinois
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
3 Mile XC: 14:33
5k XC: 15:24
8th at the 2016 State Cross Country Meet
Coach Helmer on Jackson: "He ran really strong cross country last fall and ran an outstanding time on the Lavern Gibson course during the Nike regional. We have no doubt that our program will help him duplicate that success on the track as well."
#GoIU
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Distance
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Pole Vault
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DIstance
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Distance
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Distance
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Throws
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Sprints
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Throws
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Pole Vault
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Sprints/Hurdles
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