Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University Track and Field Welcomes 2018 Signing Class
4/25/2018 4:14:00 PM | Track and Field
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University track and field welcomes 23 athletes to the 2018 signing class and expect to add a few more before the fall semester.
Coach Helmer on the incoming class:
"We are really excited about this year's class because we were able to add state champions in the hurdles, pole vault, jumps, middle and long distances that should contribute immediately for our nationally ranked track teams. More importantly, we were thorough as we added needed depth to our cross country teams while providing the flexibility in the future to recruit elite athletes in each event area and maintain the balanced track team that's been a trademark of the Indiana program. While this is already an outstanding class, we expect to add a couple more great athletes before we arrive on campus next fall."
Women:
Jenna Barker
Hometown: Richmond, Indiana
School: Seton Catholic High School
800 – 2:14.70
1600 – 5:03.20
3200 – 10:59.85
7th at the IHSAA State Track Meet in the 800
Helmer on Barker:
"Jenna has been very consistent in all three seasons at a state level, and she has the speed to develop into a very good distance runner in our conference. Once she adjusts to a collegiate training program, we think she can make our team better very quickly."
Ana Barrott
Hometown: Northville, Michigan
School: Northville High School
1600 – 4:59.90
3200 – 10:37.43
7 x State Qualifier
Helmer on Barrott:
"Ana has the talent to be a three season athlete within our program. Our first priority will be getting her off to a healthy start, and soon after, we expect that she will add needed depth at the longer distances and in cross country."
Maddie Dalton
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
School: Carmel High School
1600 – 5:02.24
5k XC – 17:44.00
3rd at the 2016 IHSAA State Cross Country Championship
4 x All-State in Cross Country
Helmer on Dalton:
"All the way back to middle school, Maddie ran some great marks on the track before becoming one of the most consistent cross country runners in the state of Indiana. Over the next four years, we expect that speed and strength to come together so that she can ultimately become a very versatile athlete in our conference.
Kara Deady
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
School: Carmel High School
Pole Vault – 12'6"
2017 IHSAA State Runner-Up
2018 HSR Indoor State Champion
Helmer on Deady:
"While Kara happens to be the daughter of IU Olympian Mark Deady, we're really excited to add the state's best pole vaulter. Coach Wiseman has done an excellent job building our women's vault program, and Kara should have an opportunity to score in our conference very quickly.
Nichole Flowers
Laporte, Indiana
School: LaPorte High School
Long Jump – 18'7.5"
Helmer on Flowers:
"Nichole qualified for the state meet and placed as a sophomore, and we think that with hard work and development, she can ultimately find a way to make a final in our conference."
Bailey Hertenstein
Hometown: Lithia, Florida
School: Newsome High School
800 – 2:10.66
1600 – 4:53.24
3200 – 10:30.89
5k XC – 17:26.61
6 x State Champion
2 x Foot Locker Finalist
Helmer on Hertenstein:
"While Bailey has produced some outstanding marks, we absolutely love the way she competes on a weekly basis. Running at her PR's and nearly winning the 800, 1600, and 3200 as a junior at her state meet, she's got a set of tools that is really difficult to find. We are excited to insert Bailey into our women's training group and to watch her become a force in our conference and the NCAA."
Abi Little
Hometown: Noblesville, Indiana
School: Noblesville High School
1600 – 4:58.66
5k XC – 18:03.60
3 x All-State in Cross Country
2 x 4x800 Relay State Champion
Helmer on Little:
"For her entire high school career, Abi has lined up 2-3 times on a weekly basis at a really high level. Like Kelsey and Haley Harris, her willingness to line up and give a great effort every single time out will be the key to her success. We're excited to watch her grow as she adapts to a college training program."
Hope Purcell
Hometown: Lancaster, OH
School: Lancaster High School
100mh – 14.53
Long Jump – 19'1.25"
High Jump – 5'8"
3 x High Jump State Runner-Up
2 x Long Jump State Champion
Helmer on Purcell:
"Hope already has great marks in three events that will allow her to be an outstanding multi athlete in our conference. With her state championship pedigree and versatile athleticism, coach Erb thinks she can be a contender immediately in our conference."
Sarah Schmitt
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
School: Naperville North High School
1600 – 4:56.05
3200 – 10:31.74
5k XC – 17:30.60
8th at the 2017 Nike Cross Country National Championship
8th at the 2017 Foot Locker National Championship
Helmer on Schmitt:
"While Sarah was outstanding as a junior, she really raised her game as a senior becoming one of the best cross country runners in the country. Sarah will immediately make our women's cross country program better, and we're excited to add a seasoned three sport athlete that can be an anchor for the future of our program."
Lauren Seaver
Hometown: Normal, Illinois
School: Normal University High School
Pole Vault – 12'6"
3rd at the 2017 IHSA State Championship
Helmer on Seaver:
"Lauren has jumped over 12' a number of times and competed very well at the state level. We expect that her passion for the event will be a great add to a very young and talented event group, and through hard work and continued development, Lauren can become a player within the Big Ten.
Men
Jake Gebhardt
Hometown: Sterling, Illinois
School: Sterling High School
Mile – 4:10.09
3200 – 9:18.11
3 Mile XC – 14:23.00
2 x State Runner – Up
Helmer on Gebhardt:
"Jake had a breakout junior track season, and followed it up with an outstanding cross country season where he was a state runner-up and nearly a national qualifier for both Foot Locker and NXN. The increase in volume and intensity will be an adjustment, but he has a ton of potential and versatility to become a great cross country runner that can also break four minutes in the mile."
Keelan Grant
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
Carmel High School
Mile – 4:21.93
3200 – 9:12.27
5k XC – 15:32.60
14th at the 2017 State Cross Country Meet
Helmer on Grant:
"Keelan has developed from a 20 min 5k runner into one of the best in the state during his four years at Carmel, and he is in the middle of a breakout senior year. Keelan is excited about being challenged in our conference, and we expect that as he continues to adjust to a collegiate training program, he could find success in a variety of events across all three seasons."
Kenneth Hagan
Hometown: Blacksburg Virginia
High School: Blacksburg High School
Previous School: Graduate Transfer – University of Virginia
800 – 1:50.87
1500 – 3:46.90
8k XC – 24:46.7
2016 DMR NCAA All-American
Helmer on Hagan:
"Kenneth was drawn to our really strong SPEA graduate programs, and while he'll only have one year on our team, he can leave a huge mark on our program with the experiences he has from running at both a cross country and an indoor track national championship. Knowing that he ran 1:48 on a relay in high school, we think he'll fit into our strong middle distance group and finish his career on a high note."
Dustin Horter
Hometown: Liberty Township, Ohio
School: Lakota East High School
800 – 1:53.69
Mile – 4:07.82
3200 – 8:48.62
2018 Indoor National Champion in the Mile
3 x All-American
5 x State Champion
Helmer on Horter:
"Dustin is incredibly talented, but he's also a relentless worker and very well coached, all of which will allow him to become a force in our conference and at a national level. There's been a long history of Ohio athletes becoming great athletes at Indiana, including current All-American Sophomore Kyle Mau, and more historically Olympian Bob Kennedy, and Dustin has an opportunity to be the next great athlete from the state."
Arjun Jha
Hometown: Worthington, Ohio
School: Thomas Worthington High School
4x8 relay – 1:50.8
1600 – 4:09.09
5k XC – 14:56.00
2017 State Runner-Up in the 1600
Helmer on Jha:
"Arjun has only scratched the surface of his talent as he has the speed and strength to be an elite middle distance runner at the national level, and as a freshman he has an opportunity to score in our conference and provide options for a nationally competitive DMR. A big summer and fall of training will ultimately determine how quickly he can become the difference maker that we believe he will be."
Ben Miller
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
School: Carmel High School
3200 – 9:10.74
5k XC – 15:22.00
3rd in the 3200 at the 2017 Outdoor State Meet
Helmer on Miller:
"Ben was a middle school standout heading into the Carmel program, and he has handled the expectations very well in both cross country and track. We were very impressed with his junior track season, and we know he'll bring a great work ethic and passion for the sport that will allow him to become a versatile three season athlete for our program."
Hunter Moore
Hometown: Lewis Center, Ohio
High School: Olentangy Orange High School
Previous School: Sophomore Transfer - Eastern Michigan University
1600 – 4:16.67
3200 – 8:58.47
5k XC – 14:58.00
8k XC – 25:17.5
Helmer on Moore:
"Hunter had a break out season as a senior in high school and gained valuable varsity experience last season in cross country while at Eastern Michigan. There's no question that Hunter will bring an incredible work ethic to our program, and we expect that he can make an immediate contribution in cross country and at the 5k and 10k distances on the track."
Colin Murphy
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
School: Carmel High School
3200 – 9:24.41
5k XC – 15:19.70
8th at the 2016 Indiana State Cross Country Meet
2 x All-State Cross Country
Helmer on Murphy:
"Colin gets better as the distances get longer, and an injury during his junior season has prevented his track times from reflecting his cross country accomplishments. We know that developing into an elite 5k/10k runner can take some time, but Colin is up to the challenge and will be one of our hardest working athletes from the minute he steps foot on campus."
Jalen Royal
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
School: Northrop High School
400 – 48.79
800 – 1:53.25
4th in the 800 at the 2017 Indiana State Meet
Helmer on Royal:
"Rarely do the athletes in the state of Indiana that can contend for a state championship in the 400 choose to move up, but Jalen is the exception and has the speed and enthusiasm for the event to become a great 800m runner. He's a worker that was encouraged to run cross country, play basketball, and run both indoor and outdoor track, so he's got all of the tools to make an immediate impact in our conference in the 400, 600 and 800."
Shaton Vaughn
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
School: Northrop High School
110 Hurdles – 14.16
300 Hurdles – 37.45
2017 State Champion in the 300m Hurdles
2017 State Runner-Up in the 110m Hurdles
Helmer on Vaughn:
"Shaton was a sprinter that switched to the hurdles last spring, and clearly it was a good move as he won the state meet at 300m and finished second in the 110s. Shaton has the strength and speed to compete at a high level in both the short and long hurdles in our conference, and we're excited to watch him start to find his true potential in both events."
Matt Schadler
Hometown: Chandler, Indiana
School: Retiz Memorial High School
Mile – 4:13.63
3200 – 9:03.58
5k XC – 15:08.80
2017 Foot Locker National Finalist
2017 State Runner-Up in the 1600
Helmer on Schadler:
"Matt had a breakout season as a junior and then took another leap as a senior. We're really excited about his consistency and toughness, as exemplified by his 26th place finish at Foot Locker after breaking his collarbone early in the race, and he's got all of the tools to be a versatile three season athlete. Collegiate training will be an adjustment, but with a good summer, he is talented enough that he may contribute as a freshman."
Skylar Stidam
Hometown: Floyd Knobs, Indiana
School: Christian Academy of Indiana
3200 – 9:09.69
5k XC - 15:23.80
3rd at the 2016 and 2017 State Cross Country Meet
2017 State Runner-Up in the 3200
Helmer on Stidam:
"Skylar has been one of the most successful individuals in the state at the longer distances. Even as a senior after missing time for injury, he stepped up under pressure and had his best race of the season. Skylar will quickly add depth to our cross country team, and a healthy string of training as a young athlete will be crucial to becoming a dominant distance runner in our conference."
Matt Yoder
Hometown: Topeka, Indiana
School: Westview High School
Mile – 4:21.98
3200 – 9:20.40
12th at the 2017 State Cross Country Meet
Helmer on Yoder:
"Matt is a workhorse that was dominant for the majority of his senior cross country season before finishing all-state at the state meet. We expect he will drop significant time as a senior on the track, but more importantly, he will add a great work ethic and passion for running that will be incredibly valuable in our program. Over time, he should be a major contributor for our cross country team and at the longer distances."
For complete coverage of everything Indiana track and field and cross country, make sure to follow the teams via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
Coach Helmer on the incoming class:
"We are really excited about this year's class because we were able to add state champions in the hurdles, pole vault, jumps, middle and long distances that should contribute immediately for our nationally ranked track teams. More importantly, we were thorough as we added needed depth to our cross country teams while providing the flexibility in the future to recruit elite athletes in each event area and maintain the balanced track team that's been a trademark of the Indiana program. While this is already an outstanding class, we expect to add a couple more great athletes before we arrive on campus next fall."
Women:
Jenna Barker
Hometown: Richmond, Indiana
School: Seton Catholic High School
800 – 2:14.70
1600 – 5:03.20
3200 – 10:59.85
7th at the IHSAA State Track Meet in the 800
Helmer on Barker:
"Jenna has been very consistent in all three seasons at a state level, and she has the speed to develop into a very good distance runner in our conference. Once she adjusts to a collegiate training program, we think she can make our team better very quickly."
Ana Barrott
Hometown: Northville, Michigan
School: Northville High School
1600 – 4:59.90
3200 – 10:37.43
7 x State Qualifier
Helmer on Barrott:
"Ana has the talent to be a three season athlete within our program. Our first priority will be getting her off to a healthy start, and soon after, we expect that she will add needed depth at the longer distances and in cross country."
Maddie Dalton
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
School: Carmel High School
1600 – 5:02.24
5k XC – 17:44.00
3rd at the 2016 IHSAA State Cross Country Championship
4 x All-State in Cross Country
Helmer on Dalton:
"All the way back to middle school, Maddie ran some great marks on the track before becoming one of the most consistent cross country runners in the state of Indiana. Over the next four years, we expect that speed and strength to come together so that she can ultimately become a very versatile athlete in our conference.
Kara Deady
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
School: Carmel High School
Pole Vault – 12'6"
2017 IHSAA State Runner-Up
2018 HSR Indoor State Champion
Helmer on Deady:
"While Kara happens to be the daughter of IU Olympian Mark Deady, we're really excited to add the state's best pole vaulter. Coach Wiseman has done an excellent job building our women's vault program, and Kara should have an opportunity to score in our conference very quickly.
Nichole Flowers
Laporte, Indiana
School: LaPorte High School
Long Jump – 18'7.5"
Helmer on Flowers:
"Nichole qualified for the state meet and placed as a sophomore, and we think that with hard work and development, she can ultimately find a way to make a final in our conference."
Bailey Hertenstein
Hometown: Lithia, Florida
School: Newsome High School
800 – 2:10.66
1600 – 4:53.24
3200 – 10:30.89
5k XC – 17:26.61
6 x State Champion
2 x Foot Locker Finalist
Helmer on Hertenstein:
"While Bailey has produced some outstanding marks, we absolutely love the way she competes on a weekly basis. Running at her PR's and nearly winning the 800, 1600, and 3200 as a junior at her state meet, she's got a set of tools that is really difficult to find. We are excited to insert Bailey into our women's training group and to watch her become a force in our conference and the NCAA."
Abi Little
Hometown: Noblesville, Indiana
School: Noblesville High School
1600 – 4:58.66
5k XC – 18:03.60
3 x All-State in Cross Country
2 x 4x800 Relay State Champion
Helmer on Little:
"For her entire high school career, Abi has lined up 2-3 times on a weekly basis at a really high level. Like Kelsey and Haley Harris, her willingness to line up and give a great effort every single time out will be the key to her success. We're excited to watch her grow as she adapts to a college training program."
Hope Purcell
Hometown: Lancaster, OH
School: Lancaster High School
100mh – 14.53
Long Jump – 19'1.25"
High Jump – 5'8"
3 x High Jump State Runner-Up
2 x Long Jump State Champion
Helmer on Purcell:
"Hope already has great marks in three events that will allow her to be an outstanding multi athlete in our conference. With her state championship pedigree and versatile athleticism, coach Erb thinks she can be a contender immediately in our conference."
Sarah Schmitt
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
School: Naperville North High School
1600 – 4:56.05
3200 – 10:31.74
5k XC – 17:30.60
8th at the 2017 Nike Cross Country National Championship
8th at the 2017 Foot Locker National Championship
Helmer on Schmitt:
"While Sarah was outstanding as a junior, she really raised her game as a senior becoming one of the best cross country runners in the country. Sarah will immediately make our women's cross country program better, and we're excited to add a seasoned three sport athlete that can be an anchor for the future of our program."
Lauren Seaver
Hometown: Normal, Illinois
School: Normal University High School
Pole Vault – 12'6"
3rd at the 2017 IHSA State Championship
Helmer on Seaver:
"Lauren has jumped over 12' a number of times and competed very well at the state level. We expect that her passion for the event will be a great add to a very young and talented event group, and through hard work and continued development, Lauren can become a player within the Big Ten.
Men
Jake Gebhardt
Hometown: Sterling, Illinois
School: Sterling High School
Mile – 4:10.09
3200 – 9:18.11
3 Mile XC – 14:23.00
2 x State Runner – Up
Helmer on Gebhardt:
"Jake had a breakout junior track season, and followed it up with an outstanding cross country season where he was a state runner-up and nearly a national qualifier for both Foot Locker and NXN. The increase in volume and intensity will be an adjustment, but he has a ton of potential and versatility to become a great cross country runner that can also break four minutes in the mile."
Keelan Grant
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
Carmel High School
Mile – 4:21.93
3200 – 9:12.27
5k XC – 15:32.60
14th at the 2017 State Cross Country Meet
Helmer on Grant:
"Keelan has developed from a 20 min 5k runner into one of the best in the state during his four years at Carmel, and he is in the middle of a breakout senior year. Keelan is excited about being challenged in our conference, and we expect that as he continues to adjust to a collegiate training program, he could find success in a variety of events across all three seasons."
Kenneth Hagan
Hometown: Blacksburg Virginia
High School: Blacksburg High School
Previous School: Graduate Transfer – University of Virginia
800 – 1:50.87
1500 – 3:46.90
8k XC – 24:46.7
2016 DMR NCAA All-American
Helmer on Hagan:
"Kenneth was drawn to our really strong SPEA graduate programs, and while he'll only have one year on our team, he can leave a huge mark on our program with the experiences he has from running at both a cross country and an indoor track national championship. Knowing that he ran 1:48 on a relay in high school, we think he'll fit into our strong middle distance group and finish his career on a high note."
Dustin Horter
Hometown: Liberty Township, Ohio
School: Lakota East High School
800 – 1:53.69
Mile – 4:07.82
3200 – 8:48.62
2018 Indoor National Champion in the Mile
3 x All-American
5 x State Champion
Helmer on Horter:
"Dustin is incredibly talented, but he's also a relentless worker and very well coached, all of which will allow him to become a force in our conference and at a national level. There's been a long history of Ohio athletes becoming great athletes at Indiana, including current All-American Sophomore Kyle Mau, and more historically Olympian Bob Kennedy, and Dustin has an opportunity to be the next great athlete from the state."
Arjun Jha
Hometown: Worthington, Ohio
School: Thomas Worthington High School
4x8 relay – 1:50.8
1600 – 4:09.09
5k XC – 14:56.00
2017 State Runner-Up in the 1600
Helmer on Jha:
"Arjun has only scratched the surface of his talent as he has the speed and strength to be an elite middle distance runner at the national level, and as a freshman he has an opportunity to score in our conference and provide options for a nationally competitive DMR. A big summer and fall of training will ultimately determine how quickly he can become the difference maker that we believe he will be."
Ben Miller
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
School: Carmel High School
3200 – 9:10.74
5k XC – 15:22.00
3rd in the 3200 at the 2017 Outdoor State Meet
Helmer on Miller:
"Ben was a middle school standout heading into the Carmel program, and he has handled the expectations very well in both cross country and track. We were very impressed with his junior track season, and we know he'll bring a great work ethic and passion for the sport that will allow him to become a versatile three season athlete for our program."
Hunter Moore
Hometown: Lewis Center, Ohio
High School: Olentangy Orange High School
Previous School: Sophomore Transfer - Eastern Michigan University
1600 – 4:16.67
3200 – 8:58.47
5k XC – 14:58.00
8k XC – 25:17.5
Helmer on Moore:
"Hunter had a break out season as a senior in high school and gained valuable varsity experience last season in cross country while at Eastern Michigan. There's no question that Hunter will bring an incredible work ethic to our program, and we expect that he can make an immediate contribution in cross country and at the 5k and 10k distances on the track."
Colin Murphy
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
School: Carmel High School
3200 – 9:24.41
5k XC – 15:19.70
8th at the 2016 Indiana State Cross Country Meet
2 x All-State Cross Country
Helmer on Murphy:
"Colin gets better as the distances get longer, and an injury during his junior season has prevented his track times from reflecting his cross country accomplishments. We know that developing into an elite 5k/10k runner can take some time, but Colin is up to the challenge and will be one of our hardest working athletes from the minute he steps foot on campus."
Jalen Royal
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
School: Northrop High School
400 – 48.79
800 – 1:53.25
4th in the 800 at the 2017 Indiana State Meet
Helmer on Royal:
"Rarely do the athletes in the state of Indiana that can contend for a state championship in the 400 choose to move up, but Jalen is the exception and has the speed and enthusiasm for the event to become a great 800m runner. He's a worker that was encouraged to run cross country, play basketball, and run both indoor and outdoor track, so he's got all of the tools to make an immediate impact in our conference in the 400, 600 and 800."
Shaton Vaughn
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
School: Northrop High School
110 Hurdles – 14.16
300 Hurdles – 37.45
2017 State Champion in the 300m Hurdles
2017 State Runner-Up in the 110m Hurdles
Helmer on Vaughn:
"Shaton was a sprinter that switched to the hurdles last spring, and clearly it was a good move as he won the state meet at 300m and finished second in the 110s. Shaton has the strength and speed to compete at a high level in both the short and long hurdles in our conference, and we're excited to watch him start to find his true potential in both events."
Matt Schadler
Hometown: Chandler, Indiana
School: Retiz Memorial High School
Mile – 4:13.63
3200 – 9:03.58
5k XC – 15:08.80
2017 Foot Locker National Finalist
2017 State Runner-Up in the 1600
Helmer on Schadler:
"Matt had a breakout season as a junior and then took another leap as a senior. We're really excited about his consistency and toughness, as exemplified by his 26th place finish at Foot Locker after breaking his collarbone early in the race, and he's got all of the tools to be a versatile three season athlete. Collegiate training will be an adjustment, but with a good summer, he is talented enough that he may contribute as a freshman."
Skylar Stidam
Hometown: Floyd Knobs, Indiana
School: Christian Academy of Indiana
3200 – 9:09.69
5k XC - 15:23.80
3rd at the 2016 and 2017 State Cross Country Meet
2017 State Runner-Up in the 3200
Helmer on Stidam:
"Skylar has been one of the most successful individuals in the state at the longer distances. Even as a senior after missing time for injury, he stepped up under pressure and had his best race of the season. Skylar will quickly add depth to our cross country team, and a healthy string of training as a young athlete will be crucial to becoming a dominant distance runner in our conference."
Matt Yoder
Hometown: Topeka, Indiana
School: Westview High School
Mile – 4:21.98
3200 – 9:20.40
12th at the 2017 State Cross Country Meet
Helmer on Yoder:
"Matt is a workhorse that was dominant for the majority of his senior cross country season before finishing all-state at the state meet. We expect he will drop significant time as a senior on the track, but more importantly, he will add a great work ethic and passion for running that will be incredibly valuable in our program. Over time, he should be a major contributor for our cross country team and at the longer distances."
For complete coverage of everything Indiana track and field and cross country, make sure to follow the teams via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and FieldIUVB vs. Michigan: Highlights
Saturday, October 11
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 7 (at Oregon)
Thursday, October 09
IUWBB at 2025 Big Ten Media Day
Wednesday, October 08
FB: Aiden Fisher Media Availability (10/7/25)
Tuesday, October 07