HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University men’s track and field adds 25 student-athletes to their 2019 signing class, looking to build off the five individual Big South titles the program produced in the previous indoor and outdoor campaigns.
This year’s commitment group combines a number of state champions from across the country, with the Panthers’ incoming class spreading across 12 American states and two foreign countries.
“This is easily the best men’s class in my tenure at High Point University,” said Head Coach Mike Esposito. “We were able to target specific needs and my staff went out and got it done. We brought in great quality while adding to the depth necessary to win championships. Speed and power events dominate the sport of track and field and we were able to add some excellent athletes in those areas. In addition, the men’s distance events were enhanced as well. We have a great deal of work ahead of us, and as always, it is our job to mentor and develop these student-athletes to their full potential.”
Chris Van Niekerk
Throws | Transvalia | Sasolburg, South Africa
• Took first in the African Championships U20 (56.49m) representing South Africa
• First in the 2019 Athletics South Africa (ASA) Junior Shot Put (17.72m); Third in the discus (49.06m)
Shot Put (6kg): 18.68m (#14 World)
Discus (1.75kg): 57.02m (#16 World)
Javelin: 53.88m
Terris Burton
Sprints/Hurdles | Steinert | Trenton, N.J.
• New Jersey Group Champion in the 400m hurdles
• New Jersey Meet of Champions runner-up in the 400m hurdles
400m Hurdles: 52.49 (#8 U.S.)
Deron Dudley
Sprints | Wichita South | Wichita, Kan.
• Kansas 6A State Champion in 100m and 200m
100m: 10.53 (10.38w)
200m: 21.51
Austen Cave
Distance | Delmar | Delmar, Del.
• Delaware State runner-up in cross country
Cross Country 5K: 15:29.8
Dekairi Brown
Jumps | Grady | Atlanta, Ga.
High Jump: 1.98m (6’6″)
Long Jump: 7.01m (23’0″)
Triple Jump: 13.98m (45’10.5″)
Ian Miller
Distance | Manheim Township | Lancaster, Penn.
• 13th in 3A Pennsylvania Cross Country Championships
1600m: 4:23.98
3200m: 9:25.99
Shane Henderson
Distance | Old Saybrook | Old Saybrook, Conn.
• CIAC State Champion in the 1600m
• Fourth in New England Championship 1600m
1600m: 4:19.87
3000m Steeplechase: 9:58
Larry Coaxum
Jumps | Garnet Valley | Glen Mills, Penn.
• Took fifth in the triple jump at 3A Pennsylvania state championships
Long Jump: 7.01m (23’0″)
Triple Jump: 14.46m (47’5.25″)
Trent Strachan
Springs | University School | Nassau, Bahamas
400m: 50.02
800m: 1:57
Marco Leo
Middle Distance | Newton North | Newtonville, Mass.
800m: 1:53.81
Juan Mantilla
Sprints | Asheville | Asheville, N.C.
400m: 49.92
Tucker Connine
Combined Events | St. Thomas Aquinas | Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
300m Hurdles: 38.91
400m: 49.64
200m: 22.13
Jonathan House
Distance | Mt. Paran Christian | Kennesaw, Ga.
800m: 1:57.13
Alex Gales
Pole Vault | Franklin Road Academy | Nashville, Tenn.
Pole Vault: 4.52m (14’10”)
Jonathon Senkier | Distance Kingsway | Woolwich Township, N.J.
Michael Henson | Jumps | Nansemond-Suffolk Academy | Suffolk, Va.
Andrew Purdy | Sprints | New Hope-Solebury | Doylestown, Penn.
Brandon Lewis | Combined Events | West Davidson | Thomasville, N.C.
Wally Sample | Javelin | Haddam-Killingworth | Haddam, Conn.
JP Grace | Distance | Locust Valley | Locust Valley, N.Y.
Forrest Kaplan | Middle/Sprints | Newton North | Newton, Mass.
Michael Klein | Distance | Highstown | East Windsor, N.J.
Jordan Levin | Middle | Rock Ridge | Ashburn, Va.
Matthew McHugh | Distance | Christian Brothers | Memphis, Tenn.
Zach Williams | Distance | St. George Independent | Collierville, Tenn.