University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Track and Field Add 13 Newcomers
08.05.2009 | Track and Field
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Men's and Women's Track and Field Head Coach Jesse Norman has announced his incoming recruiting class for the 2009-10 year. Norman and his staff are bringing in 13 newcomers to the program. Seven are being brought in on the women's team, while six will join the Bulldog men's squad.
"This recruiting class is a great addition that will fill some big holes with our roster," stated Norman. "The coaching staff has done a great job of filling areas of our roster that needed more coverage and depth. These incoming student-athletes also fit the model of coming from successful programs that expect to win. We believe that this class combined with last year's recruiting class that all of our programs will begin to have more of an impact with the Big South Conference."
Here is a look at each newcomer with quotes from Coach Norman.
WOMEN
Ashlei Clodfelter (North Davidson HS/Winston-Salem, N.C.)
"Ashlei is going to be a versatile athlete who will be able to help the program in numerous events. She has the ability to jump, hurdle and throw making her a great fit for our model of having student-athletes doing multiple events."
PR's - 100H (15.40), 200 (26.56), Javelin (110-10), Long Jump (16-09.25), Triple Jump (36-01.50).
Sara Gentry (Canyon Creek Christian Academy/Plano, Texas)
"Sara will help fill a void within our sprinting program. She comes from a state that is quite competitive so I have no doubts that Sara will improve and grow here at UNC Asheville."
PR's - 100 (12.31), 200 (25.91) 400 (58.3)
Eureka Jones (Ridge View HS/Columbia, S.C.)
"Eureka is a hard worker who will continue to get better once she gets to UNC Asheville. She will add depth and top-end ability to our sprints program."
PR's - 200 (25.48), 400 (57.91)
Alyska Kalmeijer (Pope HS/Marietta, Ga.)
"Alyska is a great addition to our distance squad. She brings both speed and strength to our program and is versatile enough that she could run on our 4x400 squad."
PR's - 800 (2:18), 1600 (5:21), 5K (19:43)
Melanie Kulesz (Oak Ridge HS/Oak Ridge, Tenn.)
"Melanie continues our trends of finding student-athletes from winning programs. Her high school, Oak Ridge, has won numerous state titles in Tennessee. Oak Ridge is traditionally one of the top prep programs in the region and nation. Melanie adds depth to our program and will continue to improve."
PR's - 800 (2:22), 1600 (5:11), 3200 (11:18), 5K (18:20)
Clair Powell (Mooresville HS/Mooresville, N.C.)
"Clair is new to running and has only been competing for two years. She could be our diamond in the rough among this group. We will enjoy watching her improve and get better with each year."
PR's - 1600 (5:26), 5K (19:54)
Kylie Smith (Roberson HS/Fairview, N.C.)
"Kylie is a local product who enjoyed an excellent career at one of the most dominant women's program in the state at Roberson. We know she will bring a great work ethic and attitude to our program."
PR's - 800 (2:22), 1600 (5:20), 5K (19:48)
MEN
Eliud Chirchir (University of Wyoming/Eldoret, Kenya)
"Eliud is a transfer who will make an immediate impact with our program. He has experience competing at a high level as he was NCAA Regional qualifier last year in the 800 at the University of Wyoming."
PR's - 800 (1:49), 1 Mile (4:16), 3K (8:33)
Derek Larsen (St. Edwards HS/Fairview Park Ohio)
"Derek continues our trend of getting student-athletes from the state of Ohio. His main focus will be on the hurdles but he will also help in relay events."
PR's - 110H (15.12), 300H (38.97)
Carlos Lopez (Scottsdale Community College/Payson, Ariz.)
"Carlos is a junior college transfer who will add depth to our middle distance program. He has experience of competing at the national level as he represented Scottsdale's cross country and track and field programs."
PR's - 800 (1:56), 1500 (4:04)
Aaron Nix (Dominion Christian Academy/Powder Springs, Ga.)
"Aaron comes to us from Georgia and specializes in the hurdles. Along with Derek Larsen, he will help give us exposure in the hurdling events within the Big South Conference."
PR's - 100H (15.2), 300H (40.7)
David Pickett (Roberson HS/Arden, N.C.)
"David is a student-athlete who expressed a lot of interest in coming to UNC Asheville. His family attended UNC Asheville and it has been his desire to come here for his college career. David will be a great addition to our sprints squad and help us establish a presence in the Big South Conference."
Jordan Yarbrough (Ehprata HS/Ehprata, Pa.)
"Jordan will be the top sprinter to join our program this year but he can also help our jumping team. He has been a successful long jumper who will learn to triple jump this year."
PR's - 100 (10.77), 200 (22.43), Long Jump (22-06.50).
