Kats ink nine to 2016 class
11/13/2015 10:29:00 AM | Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
The Sam Houston State track and field programs signed nine athletes on National Signing Day, a class seeking to continue the strong surge of success the program has seen in recent years.
"To have such a quality group of kids who are state championships, state meet medalists and have represented the U.S. in championships early in November bodes well for us," seventh-year head coach David Self said. "As a staff, we have all worked really hard to get this done this fall and leaves us not having to do as much recruiting in the spring, and be able to focus on our athletes."
Jahrod Henderson – Sprinter - Colleyville Heritage/Colby Community College
Jahrod, a two-time All-American while at Colby Community College, will add a boost to the Bearkat sprints corps. While in high school Jahrod ran 10.56 in the 100m dash. He improved on that in his first year with the Colby Trojans and touted a 10.41. He also shows range in the ability to move through the 200m mark at a time of 20.92. We are excited to add Jahrod to a growing list of talented Bearkat men's sprinters.
Joshua Hernandez – Thrower - Del Valle High School - El Paso, Texas
Joshua brings a superb resume to the field events for Sam Houston State University. He currently holds the school record in the shot put at Del Valle (55'6”) and the Great Southwest Indoor meet record (54'10”). Last year Josh placed fifth at the UIL Texas High School Track and Field State Championships in Austin, Texas. Not only is Josh a top prospect in the shot put, but he also ranks third nationally in the hammer throw for returners. Josh finished second at the US World Youth Trials as well as second at the USATF Junior Olympics. His personal best with the 12lb hammer is 211'3”. Not only is Josh a talented thrower, but he also ranks in the top 10% of his class academically.
Halie Daniel – Thrower - Wylie East High School - Wylie, Texas
Halie, another quality student-athlete, will join the Bearkats proving herself to be a high level competitor in the shot put and in the classroom. Not only is she a multiple time district champion, but she also holds her school record in the shot put. She won her area meet in 2015, was the runner up at her region meet, and ultimately culminated her 2015 campaign with a sixth place finish at the UIL Texas High School State Track and Field Championships. Academically she holds a 4.0 GPA, ranks in the top 10% of her class, and is a member of the National Honors Society.
Baylee Lara – Multi Eventer - Oak Ridge High School - Conroe, Texas
Baylee, an AAU National Championships qualifier in the heptathlon (4,315 points), joins the Bearkat Track and Field team after an outstanding 2015 season. She qualified for the UIL 6A Region 2 Championships in both the 100m hurdles and the 300m hurdles, with personal bests of 14.17 and 44.10, respectively. She also holds personal bests of 5'4” in the high jump and 17'5.5” in the long jump. Currently, Baylee is being coached by two SHSU Track and Field alumni, Matt Johnson (All-American in the Decathlon) and Kristina Dube (Head Coach – Oak Ridge High School). We are looking forward to seeing her compete at a high level in multiple events for the Bearkats in the coming years.
Selena Wright – Hurdler - Elgin High School - Elgin, Texas
Selena is a well-rounded athlete that brings with her high level performances in multiple events. In 2014, she was a UIL Texas High School State Track and Field Championships qualifier in two events, the 100m hurdles (ninth) and the 300m hurdles (third). Her personal bests in the hurdles are 14.60 in the 100m hurdles and 43.69 in the 300m hurdles. Selena also competes in the high jump and the long jump with personal bests of 5'4” and 17'6.5”, respectively. Her athleticism and will to compete prove that she will be a welcomed addition to this promising class of Bearkats.
Teona Spivey – Sprinter - Willis High School - Willis, Texas
Teona, a three time UIL Texas High School State Track and Field Championships qualifier and one of the top 400m returners in the state of Texas, brings with her a lot of hardware from major championships. She adds to a stellar class by bringing in a gold (2014) and a silver (2015) medal from the UIL Texas High School State Track and Field Championships in the 400m. She will also tote a silver (2015) and a bronze (2013) medal from Regional Championships. We are excited to see her compete in orange and white in the near future.
Cameron Boedeker – Pole Vaulter - Marion High School - Marion, Texas
Cameron, a member of the National Honors Society, is the reigning 3A District 25-26 Area Champion with a personal best of 12' in the pole vault. In 2014 she was the bronze medalist at the 2A Region 4 Championships. Previously she qualified for the UIL Texas High School State Track and Field Championships in 2013 where she finished sixth in the 2A division. She brings an excellent track record to the Bearkat Program and has a lot of potential to add to the depth of an already gifted pole vault group.
Lauren Labay – Pole Vaulter - Altair-Rice High School - Altair, Texas
Lauren, her class valedictorian, is a two time qualifier to the UIL Texas High School State Track and Field Championships (2014-2015) in the pole vault, with a personal best of 11'6”. She is also the reigning 3A District 27-28 Area Champion. Her highest placing at the State Meet came in 2015 with a fifth place finish. With her achievements thus far, she has proven to be a competitor at the highest levels and is one we are excited to have as a member of the Bearkat family.
Kendall Curzan – Sprinter - The Woodlands High School - The Woodlands, Texas
Kendall, a relay specialist at The Woodlands High School, joins the Bearkats boasting a personal best in the 400m of 57.18. She has been a part of the past two Region 2 Championship 4x400m Relay teams. Kendall is a multiple time qualifier to the UIL Texas High School State Track and Field Championships. Kendall will bring versatility to the Bearkats sprint group with her ability to run the 200m, the 400m, and aid in the relays.
