BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University head track & field and cross country coach
Pee Wee Halsell has announced the first wave of incoming student-athletes as 18 women have signed on to compete for the Vikings starting in the 2018-19 seasons.
The incoming class features 15 student-athletes that will be coming directly from the high school ranks and three transfers. The diverse class covers all the track & field specialties, with one javelin thrower, one shot put/discus/hammer thrower, three pole vaulters, four jumpers, six distance runners and three sprinters.
"This may be one of the best women's recruiting classes on paper we have had at WWU," said head coach
Pee Wee Halsell, who will enter his 32
nd season coaching the Vikings in 2018-19. "This is another diverse group covering all events. Our goal was to go for quality this year, and I think we accomplished this, to go along with a good group of good developmental athletes. We are hoping this group of student-athletes will help the Vikings gain the GNAC championship that has eluded the ladies."
The class is comprised of incoming student-athletes from five different states – Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, Massachusetts, Montana – including 14 from the state of Washington.
Here is a rundown of the incoming female student-athletes that are set to join the WWU program for the 2018-19 season, with the cross country schedule scheduled to open up September 15 at the Central Washington Invitational in Ellensburg.
|
Name
|
Event(s)
|
Hometown
|
High School/Last School
|
|
Aliyah Dawkins
|
Jumps
|
Mankato, MN
|
Mankato West High School
|
|
Highlights: 4th in Minnesota in high jump as junior and senior
|
|
Skylar Druffel
|
Throws
|
Walla Walla, WA
|
Walla Walla High School
|
|
Highlights: Two-time state qualifier in the discus
|
|
Sarah Ellis
|
Pole Vault
|
Vancouver, WA
|
Columbia River High School
|
|
Highlights: Two-time state qualifier in the pole vault. Also state champion in the balance beam as a junior
|
|
Lily Hayes
|
Distance
|
Seattle, WA
|
Garfield High School
|
|
Highlights: Four-time state qualifier in cross country … older brother, Dylan, runs for the Vikings
|
|
Leanne Kibbee
|
Jumps/Hurdles/Multi
|
Milford, MA
|
Milford High School
|
|
Highlights: State qualifier in the hurdles and Division 3 Champion in the long jump … probable multi-event
Specialist with ability to score in several events
|
|
Micaela Kostecka
|
Distance
|
Spokane, WA
|
Mount Spokane High School/
Spokane Falls Community College/
University of Washington
|
|
Highlights: Competed freshman year at UW and sophomore season at Spokane Falls CC … won the 3,000m
steeplechase and 800m at the 2018 NWAC Championships … set PR and finished 15th at the 2018 Mt.
Sac Relays … finished 2nd in 2017 NWAC Cross County Championships … five-time state qualifier in
the 1600m and 3200m during prep career
|
|
Rebecca Lehman
|
Distance
|
Spokane Valley, WA
|
University High School
|
|
Highlights: Finished 6th at the 4A state championships in 2018 in the 3200m with a PR of 10:51.85
|
|
Hannah Madsen
|
Distance
|
Manhattan, MT
|
Manhattan High School
|
|
Highlights: Four-time state qualifier in the 3200m … finished 3rd as a senior at the state meet in the 1600m
and the 3200m … also placed 3rd in state as a junior at the cross country championships
|
|
Sophie Paradis
|
Pole Vault
|
Carnation, WA
|
Cedarcrest High School
|
|
Highlights: Finished 7th at the 2A Washington state championships … PR of 11-3 set during senior season
|
|
Alexis Perry
|
Pole Vault
|
Arlington, WA
|
Lakewood High School/
Spokane Community College
|
|
Highlights: Outdoor PR of 11-9.25 and indoor PR of 11-9.75 … NWAC champion in the pole vault
|
|
Sarah Retter
|
Jumps/Sprints
|
Woodland, WA
|
Woodland High School
|
|
Highlights: 2017 2A State high jump champion with PR of 5-4…three-time state qualifier in the high jump…
Contributed to state-qualifying relays all four years in high school
|
|
Maria Rivera Valles
|
Distance
|
Mount Vernon, WA
|
Mount Vernon High School
|
|
Highlights: School record holder in 800m … 3rd at district meet with PR of 2:16.06 as a senior
|
|
Carlee Sams
|
Sprints
|
Longview, WA
|
Kelso High School
|
|
Highlights: 2018 state champion in the 100m finishing in 12.21 (PR is 12.12) … undefeated in the 100m during
her senior season … placed 4th in the 200m in 25.64 (PR is 25.16) … led off state runner-up 4x200m relay
|
|
Paige Shimkus
|
Javelin
|
Stanwood, WA
|
Lakewood High School
|
|
Highlights: One of nation's top prep javelin throwers ranked 14th in the nation. PR of 148-5
|
|
Mirannda Shulman
|
Sprints
|
Kennewick, WA
|
Kamiakin/Portland State
|
|
Highlights: Eleven-time state qualifier in high school … competed freshman season at Portland State
with PRs of 27.06 in the 200m and 1:00.50 in the 400m … 2017 Tri-City Herald Track Athlete of the Year
|
|
Jaclyn Swiderski
|
Jumps
|
Deerfield, MI
|
Dundee High School
|
|
Highlights: PR of 5-3 set during her junior season … 2nd in 2017 Michigan 3A state meet in the high jump
|
|
Annika Taylor
|
Middle Distance
|
Poulsbo, WA
|
North Kitsap High School
|
|
Highlights: State qualifier in the 800m and 1600m as a junior and senior … 5th in 2A state championships
running PR of 2:19.53
|
|
Jaleesa Taylor
|
Sprints/Hurdles
|
Kent, WA
|
Kent-Meridian High School
|
|
Highlights: USATF national qualifier in the 100m hurdles and long jump … state qualifier in 100m hurdles
|
