Nine Join Track For 2009-10
Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 5:55 pmNine Join Track For 2009-10
Aug. 11, 2009
DALLAS (SMU) -
SMU track is looking forward to a bright future, as nine athletes will join the team in the 2009-10 school year. The new additions will make their debut in the fall under the tutelage of Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Dave Wollman, who is eager to present the experience and talent these athletes will bring with them.
"I am very excited about the group we have coming in for the fall," said Wollman. "We have added elite talent in the sprints and the distance groups. The distance recruiting class is the best single class I have ever brought in. It adds elite talent to the cross country and distance programs and puts the region and C-USA on notice that the Mustangs are here to win. I am also very confident that we added the right individuals to the sprint program and now have a strong core group of girls that will raise the bar to the highest level in the NCAA during their four years. I am confident that this group added to our returning girls will break every single sprint school record from the 100 to the 400 and both relays. I am excited to watch these girls compete for a spot on the 4 x 400 and 4 x 100. It is going to be quite a battle and a lot of fun to watch."
Sara Sjokvist is a distance runner who has posted personal bests of 9:52.01 in the 3000m and 4:32.07 in the 1500m. Sjokvist is from Akersberga, Sweden and attended Rudbeck High School.
Veronika Blom has run times of 16:56.67 in the 5000m, 10:28.93 in the 3000m Steeplechase, and 9:59.45 in the 3000m. Blom attended Rosthaug Videregaende Skole in Hooksund, Norway before signing with SMU.
Mary Alenbratt has run top times of 2:11.15 in the 800m and 4:28.48 in the 1500m. Alenbratt is from Bohus, Sweden, and also attended Rudbeck High School.
Claire Schmidt was a member of the 2006 distance medley relay team at the Nike Outdoor Nationals, and a member of the distance medley relay champions at the 2007 Arcadia Invitational. Schmidt, from Corona Del Mar High School in Newport Beach, Calif., has posted personal bests of 25.8 in the 200m, 57.7 in the 400m, and 2:19 in the 800m.
Laura Pacifico won the 2009 4-5A TAPPS State Championship in both the 3200m and the 1600m. Pacifico, who attended the Awty International School in Houston, Texas, has personal bests of 11:46.94 in the 3200m and 5:34.29 in the 1600m.
Alexandria Pegram is a transfer from the University of Texas, who will still have four years of eligibility at SMU. Pegram attended high school at Plano East, and has posted top times of 11.69 in the 100m and 23.69 in the 200m.
Denisha Hardeman comes to SMU from Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. Hardeman has posted a personal best of 55.77 in the 400m.
April Washington has posted a personal best of 24.98 in the 200m and 55.21 in the 400m indoors. Washington attended Elsik High School in Houston, Texas.
Lanissa Cole is a sprinter attended Carter High School in Dallas, and has posted personal bests of 12.26 in the 100m and 25.19 in the 200m.
Aug. 11, 2009
DALLAS (SMU) -
SMU track is looking forward to a bright future, as nine athletes will join the team in the 2009-10 school year. The new additions will make their debut in the fall under the tutelage of Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Dave Wollman, who is eager to present the experience and talent these athletes will bring with them.
"I am very excited about the group we have coming in for the fall," said Wollman. "We have added elite talent in the sprints and the distance groups. The distance recruiting class is the best single class I have ever brought in. It adds elite talent to the cross country and distance programs and puts the region and C-USA on notice that the Mustangs are here to win. I am also very confident that we added the right individuals to the sprint program and now have a strong core group of girls that will raise the bar to the highest level in the NCAA during their four years. I am confident that this group added to our returning girls will break every single sprint school record from the 100 to the 400 and both relays. I am excited to watch these girls compete for a spot on the 4 x 400 and 4 x 100. It is going to be quite a battle and a lot of fun to watch."
Sara Sjokvist is a distance runner who has posted personal bests of 9:52.01 in the 3000m and 4:32.07 in the 1500m. Sjokvist is from Akersberga, Sweden and attended Rudbeck High School.
Veronika Blom has run times of 16:56.67 in the 5000m, 10:28.93 in the 3000m Steeplechase, and 9:59.45 in the 3000m. Blom attended Rosthaug Videregaende Skole in Hooksund, Norway before signing with SMU.
Mary Alenbratt has run top times of 2:11.15 in the 800m and 4:28.48 in the 1500m. Alenbratt is from Bohus, Sweden, and also attended Rudbeck High School.
Claire Schmidt was a member of the 2006 distance medley relay team at the Nike Outdoor Nationals, and a member of the distance medley relay champions at the 2007 Arcadia Invitational. Schmidt, from Corona Del Mar High School in Newport Beach, Calif., has posted personal bests of 25.8 in the 200m, 57.7 in the 400m, and 2:19 in the 800m.
Laura Pacifico won the 2009 4-5A TAPPS State Championship in both the 3200m and the 1600m. Pacifico, who attended the Awty International School in Houston, Texas, has personal bests of 11:46.94 in the 3200m and 5:34.29 in the 1600m.
Alexandria Pegram is a transfer from the University of Texas, who will still have four years of eligibility at SMU. Pegram attended high school at Plano East, and has posted top times of 11.69 in the 100m and 23.69 in the 200m.
Denisha Hardeman comes to SMU from Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. Hardeman has posted a personal best of 55.77 in the 400m.
April Washington has posted a personal best of 24.98 in the 200m and 55.21 in the 400m indoors. Washington attended Elsik High School in Houston, Texas.
Lanissa Cole is a sprinter attended Carter High School in Dallas, and has posted personal bests of 12.26 in the 100m and 25.19 in the 200m.