Indiana University Athletics
Helmer Announces 2015 Signing Class
11/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana track and field director and head coach Ron Helmer has announced nine members of the Hoosiers signing class for 2015.
The group brings a combined 10 state championships and runner-up performances and come from all over the country including: New York, South Carolina and Kansas.
WOMEN:
Maggie Allen
Louisville, Ky.
Sacred Heart Academy
Distance
2014 1600m Kentucky State Champion
2014 800m Kentucky State Champion
Personal Bests:
1600m: 4:56.20
800m: 2:13.68
5000m XC: 18:04.00
Coach Helmer on Maggie:
“Maggie has won multiple Kentucky state championships, but it is her running form and potential for development that we found intriguing. Consistent high level training and racing could be the recipe for some really good things in the future.”
Alice Babashak
Midlothian, Va.
Midlothian High School
Triple Jump, Hurdles, Heptathlon
2014: #5 300m Hurdler in Virginia
2014: #5 Triple Jumper in Virginia
2014: 24th in Virginia State Cross Country Meet
Personal Bests:
300m Hurdles: 43.98
Triple Jump: 38’6”
400m Hurdles: 1:03.29
Coach Helmer on Alice:
“Once we identify a focus and direction for Alice, we think she has the potential to develop into an outstanding contributor to our developing track team. We know we are getting a committed, hard worker who has helped her team in the sprints, hurdles, jumps and even cross country. That attitude, along with a generous helping of talent, plus help from women’s multi/jumps coach Mike Erb makes her future as a Hoosier appear to be bright.”
Riley Egbula
Simpsonville, S.C.
Hillcrest High School
Sprints
2014 South Carolina Runner Up at 400m
15th at 2014 New Balance Nationals at 200m
Personal Bests:
200m: 24.46
400m: 55.60
Coach Helmer on Riley:
“Riley has Bloomington and IU roots, and as a result indicated her interest in our program. We were in turn drawn to her history of success in the long sprints and feel as though she will be a great match for spring coach Ed Beathea’s program.”
Jaela Gay
Riverdale Baptist High School
Bowie, Md.
Sprints
Personal Bests:
200m: 24.3
100m: 11.88
Coach Helmer on Jaela:
“Jaela is very young and fairly inexperienced, but has consistently demonstrated the talent necessary to have a chance to develop into a very, very good sprinter. Her transition to consistent high level work and ability to embrace the process will determine just how far she will have a chance to go and grow.”
Taylor Pennington
Center Grove High School
Indianapolis, Ind.
High Jump
2013 Indiana High Jump Runner-Up
2014 4th place at Indiana State Meet
Personal Bests:
High Jump: 5’8”
Coach Helmer on Taylor:
“Taylor had a very good sophomore year jumping 5’8” both indoors and outdoors. A return to that form, followed by a full time focus on long term development should give her a chance to become very competitive at this level.”
Taylor Williams
Bowie High School
Bowie, Md.
Sprints
3rd in 2014 Maryland State Championships at 400m
10th at New Balance Outdoor Nationals at 400m
Personal Bests:
400m: 54.8
200m: 24.9
Coach Helmer on Taylor:
“Taylor has shown the ability to work at a high level, as indicated by a nice drop in her 400m times over the past year, resulting in times that would indicate the potential to give us immediate help in that area. A continued commitment to the necessary work should give her a chance to develop across all the spring events and provide some much needed help in that area.”
MEN:
Kyle Mau
Hudson High School
Hudson, Ohio
Distance
2014-Ohio State Runner-Up at 3200m
2014-4th Place at Ohio State Cross Country Meet
2013-Ohio Cross Country State Runner-Up
Personal Bests:
800m: 153.86
1600m: 4:11.95
3200m: 9:03.07
5000m XC: 15:15.17
Coach Helmer on Kyle
“Kyle’s potential is indicated by his 4:11 as a sophomore and multiple quality 3200s as a junior. In addition, he has placed well in his state cross country meet exhibiting the qualities necessary to give him a chance to be a high level distance runner in our program in all three seasons.”
Willie Morrison
Leavenworth High School
Leavenworth, Kan.
Throws
#4 Discus in US in Class of 2015
#4 Shot Put in US in Class of 2015
2014 Shot Put and Discus Kansas State Champion
National Junior Olympic Runner-Up in Shot Put and Discus
Personal Bests:
Discus: 190’10”
Shot Put: 64’6.25”
Coach Helmer on Willie:
“Willie is a growing young man who had a break out year in 2014. Throws coach Cory Martin will have fun figuring out which event/events on which to focus, but for now we think we are getting an explosive thrower, who can become a force in two or even three events at the Big Ten and NCAA level.”
Bryce Millar
Fayetteville-Manlius High School
Manlius, N.Y.
Distance
2013 and 2014 New York Cross Country State Champion
2014 New York Runner-Up at 3200m
Personal Bests:
1600m: 4:17.89
3200m: 9:04.28
5000m XC: 15:06.30
Coach Helmer on Bryce:
“Bryce brings a much needed cross country focus to our program, having won back-to-back New York state championships. Add that to his state meet runner-up finish in the 3200 on the track, and he appears to have the qualities that will allow him to develop into a quality Big Ten and NCAA distance runner.”
