March 15, 2013

OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss has attracted some of the brightest youth track & field talent from around the United States and the world and will add 44 new student-athletes for the 2013-14 academic year,  head coach Brian O'Neal announced on Friday.

Yes, you read that number right. It's not a misprint. The 2013 signing class is the largest in school history, and O'Neal says the recruiting haul is as much about quality as it is quantity.

"Obviously I'm excited from the standpoint of the number of talented athletes that we were able to attract to Ole Miss," said O'Neal, who is in his first season as the Rebels' head coach for track & field and cross country. "I felt that one of our weaknesses was our lack of depth and I think we definitely filled that void. Not only with numbers but with quality SEC-level talent, so I'm pleased from that aspect. I expect this class to come in and help our team immediately."

The unprecedented Rebel recruiting haul includes several high school and junior college All-Americans, JUCO national champions, international junior competitors and Gatorade state athletes of the year.

O'Neal and his staff signed 20 men and 24 women from 13 different states and three foreign countries. The states represented are Mississippi (12), Georgia (7), Tennessee (4), Texas (4), Florida (3), California (2), Illinois (1), Louisiana (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), Ohio (1), Virginia (1) and Washington (1). The foreign countries are Australia (2), United Kingdom (2) and Ireland (1).

"I'm happy that we were able to attract a strong amount of talent from the great state of Mississippi as well as some of our neighboring states," O'Neal said. "There is a lot of talent in this state and historically we've shown we can compete with anyone.

"We welcome this group to the Rebel Nation. This kicks off the start of this year's recruiting class."

Below is a listing of the Rebels' signing class with some facts about each athlete.

MEN:

Barclay Angle | Jumps/Pole Vault | Madison, Miss. | Madison Central HS

• Two-time MHSAA 6A state champion in the triple jump
• Two-time state runner-up in the pole vault
• PRs: 47-5 (triple jump), 15-0 (pole vault)

Robert Domanic | Distance | Lewisville, Texas | Hebron HS

• Two-time high school All-American in cross country
• 2012-13 Texas Gatorade XC Runner of the Year
• Placed 5th at the 2012 Nike Cross Nationals
• Placed 15th at the 2012 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships
• 2012 Texas 5A Cross Country Champion
• PRs: 4:14.56 (1600m), 9:10.23 (3200m)

Marcus Franklin | Throws | La Vergne, Tenn. | La Vergne HS

• Played 13th in the discus at the 2012 New Balance Outdoor Nationals
• 2012 Tennessee 3A state champion in the discus
• PRs: 181-4 (discus)

Trevor Gilley | Distance | Southlake, Texas | Southlake Carroll HS

• Currently ranks No. 2 in the U.S. in the indoor mile
• Runner-up in the mile at the 2013 New Balance Indoor Nationals
• 2013 Brooks PR Invitational mile champion
• Competed at the 2012 Nike Cross Nationals
• Placed 6th at the 2012 Texas 5A cross country meet
• School record holder in the 800m
• PRs: 4:08.17 (indoor mile), 1:52.99 (800m)

Amos James | Hurdles/Jumps | Natchez, Miss. | Natchez HS

• 2012 MHSAA 6A runner-up in the 110m hurdles, 5th place in the high jump, 6th place in the 300m hurdles and 8th place in the triple jump
• PRs: 14.38 (110mH), 38.38 (300mH), 46-3 (triple jump), 6-2 (high jump)

Lorenzo Johnson | Hurdles | Mineral Wells, Texas | Western Texas CC

• NJCAA All-American in the 55m hurdles
• Runner-up in the 55m hurdles at the 2013 NJCAA Indoor Championships
• 2011 Texas 3A state champion in the 110m hurdles, 3rd place in the 300m hurdles
• JUCO PRs: 7.91 - converted (60mH), 14.18 (110mH 42")
• HS PRs: 13.64 (110mH 39"), 37.67 (300mH)

Dempsey McGuigan | Throws | London, U.K. | Drayton Manor HS

• Competed in the hammer throw at the 2012 IAAF World Junior Championships
• Holds Irish junior record in the hammer throw
• European Club Cup Champion
• PRs: 229-8 (hammer throw)

Jalen Miller | Sprints | Tunica, Miss. | Rosa Fort HS

• 2012 MHSAA 4A state champion in the 100m and 200m
• PRs: 10.53 (100m), 21.31 (200m)

^Kailo Moore | Sprints | Rosedale, Miss. | West Bolivar HS

• 11-time MHSAA 2A state champion, including relay races
• Three-time 100m state champion, two-time 200m state champ
• 2011 National AAU Junior Olympics champion in the 100m and 200m
• PRs: 10.41 (100m), 21.22 (200m)
• A high school All-American in football, rated as one of the nation's top 20 running backs and top 100 overall recruits

Ben Pleak | Distance | Marietta, Ga. | Marietta HS

• Placed 5th at the 2012 Georgia 6A Cross Country Championships
• Competed for Team Georgia at the 2012 Foot Locker South Cross Country Regional
• 2012 Cobb County cross country champion
• 2011 Region 5-5A 3200m champion
• PRs: 4:28.38 (1600m), 9:29.82 (3200m)

Arman Rehmann | Distance | Norcross, Ga. | Norcross HS

• Placed 4th at the 2012 Georgia 6A Cross Country Championships
• Competed for Team Georgia at the 2012 Foot Locker South Cross Country Regional
• Placed 3rd in the 2012 Region 7-6A 3200m
• PRs: 4:29.06 (1600m), 9:28.48 (3200m)

Fred Roberts | Hurdles | Cleveland, Ohio | Rend Lake CC

• NJCAA All-American in the indoor 60m hurdles and 55m hurdles
• Placed 3rd in the 60m hurdles at the 2012 NJCAA Indoor Championships and in the 55m hurdles at the 2013 NJCAA Indoors
• Placed 6th in the 110m hurdles at the 2012 NJCAA Outdoor Championships
• PRs: 7.93 - converted (60mH), 14.28 (110mH)

*Mark Shaw | Distance | Middlesbrough, U.K. | Laurence Jackson School

• Placed 3rd at the 2011 UK European Junior Cross Country Trials
• Placed 17th at the 2011 European Junior Cross Country Championships, representing Great Britain
• Finished 4th at the 2012 English Schools National Cross Country Championships
• Runner-up in the 3000m at the 2011 English Schools National Track Championships
• PRs: 3:55.93 (1500m), 8:21.78 (3K), 14:23.22 (5K), 30:35 (10K)

Holland Sherrer | Middle Distance | Rosenhayn, N.J. | Rend Lake CC

• Two-time NJCAA national champion in the indoor 4x800m relay
• Two-time NJCAA All-American in the 4x800
• Placed 9th in the 800m at the 2013 NJCAA Indoor Championships
• PRs: 1:52.35 (800m)

Sean Tobin | Distance | Clonmel, Ireland | C.B.S. HS

• 2013 Irish National High School Cross Country Champion
• Competed in the 1500m at the 2012 IAAF World Junior Championships
• Placed 30th at the 2012 World Mountain Running Championships
• 2011 Irish National Champion in cross country and 3000m on the track
• Placed 4th in the 3000m at the 2011 European Youth Championships
• Participated in the 2011 European Youth Cross Country Championships
• PRs: 1:53.05 (800m), 3:46.43 (1500m), 8:29.91 (3000m)

Luke Vaughn | Throws | Champaign, Ill. | Centennial HS

• 2012 Big 12 Conference champion in the discus, runner-up in the shot put
• Owns the school discus record
• PRs: 184-7 (discus), 59-7 (shot put)

Jon Luke Watts | Distance | Columbia, Miss. | Columbia Academy

• Three-time MAIS state champion in cross country
• State champion in the 1600m and 3200m in 2011 and 2012
• Won the 3000m at the 2013 Arkansas High School Indoor Invitational
• PRs: 4:29.17 (1600m), 8:51.83 (3000m), 16:26.00 (5000m)

Bingham Wikoff | Distance | Bay St. Louis, Miss. | St. Stanislaus HS

• Placed 2nd at the 2012 MHSAA 4A Cross Country Championships and led his team to a state title
• Placed 2nd in the 3200m at the 2012 MHSAA 4A Track & Field Championships
• PRs: 4:45.08 (1600m), 10:21.50 (3200m), 16:44.25 (5000m)

Sean Willard | Distance | Midlothian, Va. | Midlothian HS

• 2012 Richmond Times-Dispatch Central Virginia Runner of the Year
• Placed 6th at the 2012 Virginia 3A Cross Country Championships
• Competed at the 2010 Nike Cross Nationals
• PRs: 1:58.67 (800m), 4:20.30 (1600m), 9:36.44 (3200m)

Adel Yoonis | Distance | Marietta, Ga. | Wheeler HS

• 2012 Georgia 5A state champion in the 800m and 1600m
• Placed 7th at the 2012 Georgia 5A Cross Country Championships
• Competed for Team Georgia at the 2012 Foot Locker South Cross Country Regional
• PRs: 51.56 (400m), 1:52.06 (800m), 4:16.21 (1600m)

^ Member of the 2013 Ole Miss football signing class
* Already enrolled at Ole Miss

WOMEN:

Kim Armstrong | Sprints | Pascagoula, Miss. | Pascagoula HS

• Placed 3rd in the 100m at the 2012 MHSAA 5A Championships
• Placed 5th in the 100m at the 2010 MHSAA 6A Championships
• Standout soccer player who scored 16 goals and led Pascagoula to an 18-4 record as a senior
• PRs: 12.03 (100m)

Saga Barzowski | Distance | Ironton, Mo. | Arcadia Valley HS

• Won seven individual state titles in track and cross country
• MSHSAA Class 2 cross country champion in 2009 and 2011
• MSHSAA Class 3 state champion in the 800m in 2011 and 2012
• MSHSAA Class 2 state champion in the 1600m in 2010 and Class 3 champion in 2011 and 2012
• PRs: 2:15.60 (800m), 5:04.97 (1600m)

Kennadi Bouyer | Sprints/Jumps | University Place, Wash. | Curtis HS

• Ranked No. 5 in the nation in the 60m and No. 7 in the long jump as a senior
• Competed at the 2012 USATF Junior Olympics, placing 4th in the long jump, 4th in the 4x100m relay and 6th in the 100m
• Two-time 60m runner-up at the Simplot Games and has also competed at the Brooks PR Invitational
• 2012 WIAA Class 4A state champion in the 100m and 200m
• 2011 state runner-up in the 100m and long jump
• PRs: 7.45 (60m), 11.82 (100m), 19-6 (long jump)

Scarlett Fox | Distance | Tampa, Fla. | H.B. Plant HS

• Placed 12th at the 2012 FHSAA Class 4A Cross Country Championships, helping Plant finish runner-up
• Placed 6th at the 2011 FHSAA Class 4A Cross Country Championships, helping Plant to the state title
• PRs: 2:17 (800m), 5:04 (1600m)

Elisabeth Gaillet | Distance | Ridgeland, Miss. | St. Andrew's Episcopal

• 2011 MHSAA 3A state champion in the 3200m
• Placed top four at the state meet in either the 800m, 1600m or 3200m a total of nine times
• 2010-11 Gatorade Mississippi XC Runner of the Year
• 2010 MHSAA 3A Cross Country State Champion
• Runner-up at the 2012 MHSAA 3A Cross Country Championships
• PRs: 2:29.67 (800m), 5:26.61 (1600m), 11:56.30 (3200m)

Karlie Garcia | Distance | Roseville, Calif. | Oakmont HS

• Two-time Foot Locker All-American
• Placed 5th at the 2011 Foot Locker National XC Championships and 15th in 2009
• Won the 2011 Foot Locker West Regional and placed 3rd in 2009
• Runner-up at the 2011 California Cross Country Championships, 4th place in 2009
• PRs: 10:40.99 (3200m), 17:09 (5K XC)

Annie Kelly | Distance | Alpharetta, Ga. | Milton HS

• Placed 8th in the 5000m at the 2013 New Balance Indoor Nationals
• Placed 25th at the 2012 Foot Locker Cross Country South Regional
• Runner-up at the 2012 GHSA Class 6A Cross Country Championships
• 2012 Milesplit Georgia XC Runner of the Year
• Holds or shares eight school records, including relays
• PRs: 5:05.88 (mile), 10:53.68 (3200m), 17:12 (5K indoor)

Sophie Linn | Distance | Adelaide, Australia | St. Peter's Collegiate Girls' School

• Represented Australia at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games, winning a silver medal in the 1500m and placing 8th in the 3000m
• PRs: 2:12.12 (800m), 4:28.57 (1500m), 9:45.20 (3000m)

Tavyn Lovitt | Distance | Madison, Miss. | Madison-Ridgeland Academy

• MAIS state cross country champion in 2010 and 2012, runner-up in 2011
• MAIS state champion in the 3200m in 2010 and 2012
• PRs: 5:36.30 (1600m), 11:57.10 (3200m)

Alexis Luckett | Sprints | Sandhill, Miss. | Pisgah HS

• 2012 MHSAA 2A state champion in the 100m, 200m, 400m and high jump
• 2011 MHSAA 2A state champion in the 100m, 200m and high jump
• PRs: 12.13 (100m), 25.26 (200m), 59.00 (400m)

D'Lacia McKinley | Jumps | Baton Rouge, La. | Scotlandville HS

• 2012 LHSAA 5A state champion in the long jump
• 2011 LHSAA 2A state champion in the long jump
• PRs: 19-3.75 (long jump)

Chianne Peyton | Sprints | Gulfport, Miss. | West Harrison HS

• MHSAA 5A state champion in the 200m in 2010 and 2011
• 2011 MHSAA 5A state runner-up in the 100m
• PRs: 12.06 (100m), 24.69 (200m)

Michaela Quinn | Distance | Sydney, Australia | St. John the Evangelist HS

• Selected to compete for Australia at the 2013 World Junior Cross Country Championships
• PRs: 4:35 (1500m), 10:00 (3000m), 17:25 (5K outdoor), 20:35 (6K XC)

Kacy Smith | Distance | Estero, Fla. | Estero HS

• Placed 3rd at the 2012 FHSAA 3A Cross Country Championships
• Won the 2010 FHSAA 2A Cross Country individual state title
• Led Estero to three straight state titles in cross country
• 2011 Naples Daily News Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year
• 2011 FHSAA 2A state champion in the 3200m, runner-up in the 1600m
• PRs: 4:52.39 (1600m), 10:34.90 (3200m), 17:33.28 (5K XC)

Katy Solis | Distance | Estero, Fla. | Estero HS

• Runner-up at the 2012 FHSAA 3A Cross Country Championships
• Led Estero to three straight state titles in cross country
• 2012 Naples Daily News Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year
• PRs: 11:13.01 (3200m), 17:58 (5K XC)

Khadija Suleman | Sprints | Antioch, Calif. | Laney CC

• 2012 California Junior College State Championships runner-up in the 100m and 200m
• Member of the 2012 California Junior College state champion 4x100m relay
• Ranked eighth among JUCO women in the 100m in 2012
• PRs: 11.53 (100m), 23.55 (200m)

Breanna Tate | Sprints | Brentwood, Tenn. | Brentwood Academy

• Placed 2nd in the 100m, 200m and 400m at the 2012 TSSAA DII Championships
• Led Brentwood to the 2012 TSSAA DII state title and was a part of Brentwood's state champion 4x100m relay squad
• School record holder in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay and 4x400m relay
• Twin sister of Ole Miss signee Deanna Tate
• Younger sister of NFL wide receiver Golden Tate and Vanderbilt running back Wesley Tate
• PRs: 11.98 (100m), 24.29 (200m), 56.09 (400m)

Deanna Tate | Sprints | Brentwood, Tenn. | Brentwood Academy

• Placed 3rd in the 200m at the 2012 TSSAA DII Championships
• Led Brentwood to the 2012 TSSAA DII state title and was a part of Brentwood's state champion 4x100m relay squad
• Twin sister of Ole Miss signee Breanna Tate
• Younger sister of NFL wide receiver Golden Tate and Vanderbilt running back Wesley Tate
• PRs: 12.07 (100m), 24.67 (200m), 57.19 (400m)

Haley Ward | Distance | Athens, Tenn. | McMinn County HS

• 2011-12 Gatorade Tennessee XC Runner of the Year
• 2011 TSSAA 3A state champion in cross country
• 2012 TSSAA 3A state track champion in the 3200m, runner-up in the 1600m
• Placed 3rd at the 2012 TSSAA 3A Cross Country Championships
• PRs: 5:02.34 (mile), 10:53.97 (3200m), 17:39.30 (5000m)

Kenya Wheeler | Throws | Decatur, Ga. | Southwest DeKalb HS

• 2012 GHSA 4A state champion in the shot put, 5th in discus
• 2011 GHSA 4A runner-up in the shot put, 8th in discus
• PRs: 42-11 (shot put), 122-7 (discus)

Kierra White | Jumps | Austin, Texas | South Plains CC

• Four-time NJCAA All-American
• 2013 NJCAA indoor national champion in the triple jump, runner-up in the long jump
• Placed 3rd in the triple jump and long jump at the 2012 NJCAA Outdoor Championships
• PRs: 19-7 (long jump), 40-2 (triple jump)

Nachaska Wright | Sprints | Biloxi, Miss. | Biloxi HS

• 2012 MHSAA 6A state runner-up in the 200m, 5th in the 100m
• Placed 4th in the 100m and 200m at the 2011 MHSAA 6A state meet
• PRs: 11.94 (100m), 24.83 (200m), 58.13 (400m)

Katherine Yost | Distance | Norcross, Ga. | Norcross HS

• Placed 3rd in the 3200m at the 2012 GHSA 6A state meet
• Won the 2012 GHSA Region 7-6A Cross Country Championships
• Won the high school girls race at the 2012 UGA Bulldog XC Invitational
• PRs: 5:05.21 (mile), 10:58.84 (3200m), 18:16.40 (5K XC)

Leanne Zimmer | Distance | Suwanee, Ga. | Lambert HS

• Placed 5th at the 2012 GHSA 6A Cross Country Championships
• Placed 4th in the 800m at the 2012 GHSA 4A state meet
• Runner-up to fellow Rebel signee Katherine Yost at the 2012 UGA Bulldog XC Invitational
• PRs: 45.2 (300mH), 2:17.06 (800m), 18:37.24 (5K XC)