Helmer Announces 2011-12 Recruiting Class for Track and Field
Helmer Announces 2011-12 Recruiting Class for Track and Field
August 4, 2011
Track and Field contact - Kyle Johnson (krj@indiana.edu)
Helmer Announces 2011-12 Recruiting Class for Track and Field
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana track and field and cross country director and head coach Ron Helmer has announced the addition of 14 men and 12 women to the 2011-12 roster. The recruiting class won a combined seven state championships and includes a trio of Division I transfers that are returning to their home state of Indiana to compete for the Hoosiers. A complete list of the recruiting class is below.
“We are excited to bring a lot of talent and potential to campus with this recruiting class,” Helmer said. “We are bringing in several student-athletes that will be able to compete at the Big Ten level right away, as well as student-athletes that we feel can really blossom in our program. This class encompasses every discipline in our sport, which is key to our goal of being a national contender in the fall, winter and spring. Our coaching staff is excited about the bright future of our program.”
Highlighting the female recruits are Kyla Buckley, Nina and Sophie Gutermuth and Sarah Maxson. Buckley is a transfer from the University of Miami in Florida, where she took third in the ACC in the shot put. A two-time Indiana state runner up in the shot put for North Central High School, she will step in and compete among the best throwers in the Big Ten. The GutermuthÂ’s went 1-2 in the pole vault at the 2011 Indiana State meet for Leo High School. Maxson is the three-time reigning high jump champion in the state of Illinois.
The menÂ’s group is highlighted by Adrien Dannemiller, Cortland Etgen and Nick Stoner. Dannemiller is a transfer from Cornell, where he was an NCAA qualifier in 2011 in the 3,000m steeplechase. Etgen recently won the 400m crown at the USA Youth Outdoor Championships and then took fifth with a time of 47.62 at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics. Stoner, an incoming freshman cornerback on the Indiana football team, won a pair of state titles (100m and 200m) to help Center Grove win the team state title.
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FRESHMAN MEN:
Filimon Adhanom:
Indianapolis, Indiana, North Central High School
Distance
8th in the 2010 Indiana State Cross Country Championships
PRÂ’s: 3200 (9:26.28)
1600 (4:26.23)
Coach Helmer: “Filimon has a lot of work to do before he will reach the level of consistent training volume that will allow him to move forward at this level. His state meet cross country finish indicates he has the talent to make an impact at this level in time.”
Cortland Etgen:
Carmel, Indiana, Carmel High School
Sprints
1st in the 400 at the 2011 USA Youth Outdoor Championships
5th in the 400 at the 2011 USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Finals
PRÂ’s: 400 (47.62)
200 (21.76)
Coach Helmer: “Cortland led the state leader boards most of the spring in the 400 before struggling in the state meet due to illness. He rebounded well a couple of weeks later by winning the USA Youth Championships with a PR time of 48.15 backed up by a third place PR of 21.76 in the 200. He will provide immediate help in an area where we are still a bit thin.”
Jordan Gornall:
Bloomington, Indiana, South High School
Middle Distance
3rd in the 2010 Indiana State Meet 800
PRÂ’s: 800 (1:53.02)
Mile (4:21.71)
Coach Helmer: “Jordan had an up and down high school career but when he was healthy and training well he was very, very good. His range includes solid cross country and very good 4 X 400 carries which bodes well for his development in the 800.”
Austin Kemp:
Clovis, California, Buchanan High School
Sprints
PRÂ’s: 100 (10.87)
200 (22.10)
400r (48.2)
Coach Helmer: “Austin focused on baseball and football during his high school career but ran very solid times as a part timer in track and field. The transition to full time training will take some time but he has shown the talent necessary to give him a good shot at becoming a contributor in our program.”
John Mascari:
Terre Haute, Indiana, Terre Haute North Vigo High School
Distance
3rd in the 2011 Indiana State Meet 3200
PRÂ’s: 3200 (9:00.83)
1600 (4:18.42)
Coach Helmer: “John comes from the same solid Terre Haute North program that gave us Zach Mayhew. He is very talented, has trained consistently in high school and has consistently put good times on the board. John’s 9:00.83, 3200 was run indoors indicating both his talent and potential. As with most of our freshmen he will probably redshirt but could have the talent to make an impact sooner than expected.”
Kyle Overway:
Logansport, Indiana, Logansport High School
Distance
PRÂ’s: 3200 (9:17.92)
1600 (4:26.71)
2k St. (6:14.77)
Coach Helmer: “Kyle is known as a hard worker who should have no problem with the transition to college-level volume. The question will be how he adapts and responds to the structure and diversity of the training he will need to do to take advantage of his work level in an attempt to find a place where he can be competitive in the Big Ten. The steeple may very well provide that opportunity first.”
Josh Roche:
Indianapolis, Indiana, Lawrence North High School
Middle Distance
5th in the 2010 Indiana State Meet 800
PRÂ’s: 800 (1:53.52)
1600 (4:16.55)
800 r (1:52.6)
Coach Helmer: “Josh has performed very consistently in the middle distance events the past couple of years while having to deal with a fairly inconsistent level of training. Once we find a way to keep him consistently healthy I think he has the ability to make some really solid improvement. Once his strength improves we also see him as a steeplechase candidate.”
Richard Rouse:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Penn Hills Senior High School
Jumps
Placed 2nd four times and 3rd once at Pennsylvania State Meets PR’s: TJ (48’ 6 ½”)
LJ (23’ 9”)
400r (49.5)
Coach Helmer: “Richard is a good all round athlete. He jumped remarkably well indoors this past year while playing basketball and has the ability to run pretty good high school level 4 X 400 carries. The weight room will be his best friend and with improved strength we expect to see him become one of the best double jumpers in the Big Ten.”
Owen Skeete:
Westbury, New York, Westbury High School
Distance
5th in the 2011 New York State Meet 1600
6th in the 2010 New York State Cross Country Meet
PRÂ’s: 1600 (4:12.90)
3200 (9:11.84)
Coach Helmer: “Owen has a lot of talent which when harnessed and combined with some consistent long term high level training could produce an outstanding Big Ten and national level competitor. He will benefit from having the opportunity to train with some of the best distance runners in the country as well as the structure and systematic development provided by our program. His uncle, Deon Cameron, was a relay All American at IU in 1988.”
Nick Stoner:
Greenwood, Indiana, Center Grove High School
FOOTBALL RECRUIT
Sprints
1st in the 2011 Indiana State Meet 100 and 200
PRÂ’s: 100 (10.54)
200 (21.46)
400 (48.46)
400r (46.6)
Coach Helmer: “Nick is a football recruit who really came into his own this year in track and field. He was a double state champion and helped lead his team to the high school state championship. He has great range and the ability to get much better. Our football staff is excited about his speed and as we work together we hope to bring many more high-level football/track athletes to our campus who can help both programs become the consistent winners we all intend to be.”
Morgan Welsh:
Lafayette, Indiana, McCutcheon High School
Distance
7th in the 2010 Indiana State Cross Country Meet
PRÂ’s: 1600 (4:24.18)
Coach Helmer: “Morgan ran some very solid track times when he was young and had an outstanding senior year state cross country meet. As with similar individuals the ability to sustain a good solid level of consistent training will open the door to much, much more. He has a great class to train with and the ability to be among the best in time.”
TRANSFER MEN:
Adrien Dannemiller:
Martinsville, Indiana, Martinsville High School/Cornell University
Distance
2011 NCAA National qualifier in the Steeplechase
PRÂ’s: Steeple (8:40.79)
Mile (4:04.44)
1500 (3:46.93)
3000 (8:18.06)
5000 (14:17.07)
HS 3200 (9:05.91)
Coach Helmer: “Adrien is a Cornell University graduate and Indiana native who chose to use his last year of eligibility running with many of the same athletes he competed against while in high school. He joins what is already the best group of steeplechasers in the country and brings the potential to make a major impact on our program, not just at the Big Ten level but in our quest to mount the trophy stand at the NCAA championships in all three sports.”
Blake Dircksen:
Noblesville, Indiana, Noblesville High School/Miami Ohio
Distance
5th in the 2008 Indiana State Cross Country Championships
PRÂ’s: 1500 (3:56.38)
3000 (8:48.32)
HS Mile(4:19.7)
Coach Helmer: “A lot of time has passed since Blake was 5th in the 2008 Indiana State cross country meet. He has trained well recently and that 5th place finish indicates there may very well be the talent there to allow him to realize some of the goals he has for himself. The adjustment to consistent high level training followed by the ability to make the most of the racing opportunities he has will be the key to his development.”
FRESHMEN WOMEN:
Angie Charles:
Orangevale, California, Bella Vista High School
Pole Vault
7th in the 2011 California State Meet Pole Vault
2nd in the 2011 Golden West Invitational Pole Vault
PR’s” PV (12’ 8 ¼”)
Coach Helmer: “Angie joins our outstanding vault program with solid marks and fresh legs. Coach Wiseman believes she has only scratched the surface of what she can do and that she has the tools to get better and better. Time on the runway and in the pit will be important as she continues to develop as an overall athlete.”
Antonia Franklin:
Indianapolis, Indiana, Lawrence North High School
Sprints
8th in the 2011 Indiana State Meet 400
1st in the 2011 Indiana State Meet 4x400m relay
PRÂ’s: 400 (57.34)
Coach Helmer: “Antonia joins us fresh off her team’s state championship so she knows how to win. Her times are solid and will improve with work. We believe she has the ability to stretch her range to the 600 indoors and ultimately the 800 as she follows in the footsteps of some very successful, similar athletes here at IU.”
Nina Gutermuth:
Grabill, Indiana, Leo High School
Pole Vault
1st in the 2011 Indiana State Meet Pole Vault
PR’s: PV (13’ 0”)
Coach Helmer: “Nina and Sophie Gutermuth were very, very impressive several weeks ago at the Indiana State Meet. They demonstrated the size, athleticism, intensity and poise necessary to give them a great chance to be outstanding national level pole vaulters during their time here at IU. They will be good, the only question is how good?“
Sophie Gutermuth:
Grabill, Indiana, Leo High School
Pole Vault
2nd in the 2011 Indiana State Meet Pole Vault
PR’s: PV (12’ 6”)
Coach Helmer: “Ditto. Now I just need to learn how to tell them apart.”
Brianna Johnson:
Huntertown, Indiana, Carroll High School
Distance
4th in the 2010 Indiana State Cross Country Meet
4th in the 2011 Indiana State Meet 1600
2nd in the 2010 Indiana State Meet 3200
PRÂ’s: 1600 (4:56.66)
3200 (10:46.95)
Coach Helmer: “Carroll High School continues to provide us with outstanding talent and Brianna brings both outstanding times as well as state meet success to Bloomington. As she transitions into the appropriate and necessary work load we expect to see her be a major contributor to the continued growth of our women’s distance program.”
Shawntanay Johnson:
Fenton, Missouri, Fox High School
Sprints
2nd in 2009 Missouri State Meet 100
PRÂ’s: 100 (11.76w, 11.94)
200 (25.20)
Coach Helmer: “Shawntanay has shown flashes of brilliance during her high school years while being unable to sustain high level performances over the long term. Training with our fast improving junior Aireonna Bailey plus fellow incomer, La Toya Williams, will give her all the help she needs to become the consistent performer we know she can be.”
Sarah Maxson:
Springfield, Illinois, Springfield High School
High Jump
Three-time High Jump State Champion in Illinois (2009, 2010, 2011)
Ran carries on the 4 X 100 (2nd), 4 X 200 (3rd) & 4 X 400 (5th) in the 2011 State Meet
PR’s: HJ (5’ 9 ½”)
Coach Helmer: “Sarah has found her way to the winner’s podium three years in a row at the Illinois State meet and that is the quality I hope she continues to develop here at IU. Additionally she is known as a team player, willing to help her team score wherever she can. She is an outstanding high jumper who appears to be bringing other equally important qualities to our team as well.”
Laciee Pierce:
Cedar Lake, Indiana, Crown Point High School
Distance
3rd in 2009 Indiana State Cross Country Meet
PRÂ’s: 3200 (11:02.91)
Coach Helmer: “When Laciee is good she is very good as evidenced by her third place finish in front of some outstanding talent at the 2009 state cross country meet. Once again, time, patience, consistent work and systematic development will key Laciee’s journey to big time division one distance running.”
Mackenzie Redman:
Mishawaka, Indiana, Penn High School
Pole Vault
4th in the 2011 Indiana State Meet Pole Vault
1st in the 2011 Midwest Meet of Champions Pole Vault
PR’s: PV (12’ 6”)
Coach Helmer: “Mackenzie is the fourth addition to our women’s vault program. After seeing her vault a couple of times late this spring Coach Wiseman became convinced she has the tools and a very, very big upside that will allow her to join the ranks of our other very successful vaulters.”
Brie Roller:
Cortlandt Manor, New York, Walter Panas High School
Sprints/Middle Distance
1st in the 2010 New York State Meet 600
PRÂ’s: 200 (24.98)
300 (39.92)
400 (55.80)
600 (1:33.40)
800 (2:15.33)
Coach Helmer: “The range that Brie has displayed is the thing that excites me the most about her potential development. She has speed, knows how to carry it and knows how to find the finish line when she is fit. She will soon make a significant impact on our team and should challenge for a spot on a couple of very good relay teams this year.”
La Toya Williams:
South Pasadena, California, Louisville High School
Sprints
6th in the 2011 California State Meet 200
8th in the 2011 California State Meet 100
2nd in the 2011 Texas Relays High School 100
PRÂ’s: 100 (11.64w, 11.78)
200 (23.89)
Coach Helmer: “La Toya is a little bit of nothing that can flat get down the track. She really came into her own her senior year highlighted by her windy 11.64 second place finish at the Texas Relays. She continued to race consistently until injury slowed her at the end of her season. She works hard and has very good range. If she picks up where she left off in June she will be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten very, very soon.”
WOMEN TRANFERS:
Kyla Buckley:
Indianapolis, Ind., North Central H.S./University of Miami (Florida)
Throws
2nd in both the 2008 and 2009 Indiana State Meet Shot Put
3rd in the 2011 Outdoor ACC Championships Shot Put
PR’s: SP: (51’ 3 ½”)
WT: (54’ 9 ¾”)
HT: (160’ 2 “)
HS SP: (47’ 5 ½”)
Coach Helmer: Kyla is another high level transfer coming into Coach Jones’ outstanding throws program. As with all transfers her success will depend on how long it takes her to transition into the demanding work load required of all successful athletes at this level. She is not starting over, but is starting new, and her success during this adjustment period will be directly related to her desire to excel. She will be an immediate force at the Big Ten level.”
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