Men’s Track and Field Recruiting Class Features 27 Future Eagles

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - Eastern Michigan University Head Men's Track and Field Coach John Goodridge announced the addition of 27 athletes to the tradition-filled program and reigning 2013 Mid-American Conference Indoor Track and Field Champions, July 25.

"Recruiting for EMU Track and Field is certainly a very enjoyable part of our coaching as my staff and I get to represent and present such a proud storied history and tradition that includes legendary coaches, so many team and individual conference champions, national champions, All-Americans, Olympians and even Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalists," noted Coach Goodridge. We are looking forward to welcoming this class to campus and supporting their potential and efforts to contribute to the Eastern Tradition."

Six future Eagles will step on campus having won high school state championships in their native state. Distance runner Nick Raymond (Erie, Mich.-Mason) will look to make an immediate impact after becoming the Gatorade Michigan Cross Country Athlete of the Year. Raymond claimed the Division 3 State Championship in cross country while also finishing 20th at the Foot Locker Cross Country National Championship. Another Michigan native and Division I State Champion in the 400-meter dash, Gabe Hodge (Davison, Mich.-Davison), will call Ypsilanti home beginning in the fall.

Competing against athletes from the biggest schools around the state of Ohio, Tyler Brown (Findlay, Ohio-Findlay) won the 400-meter dash as well as the high jump, going along with a runner-up finish in the long jump at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I Track and Field State Championships. Fellow state champion, Abel Flores (Defiance, Ohio-Defiance), victor of the 3,200-meter run in Division II, will join Brown in the move north to EMU.

Making an even further travel north to continue his education and running career will be Javion Lee (Clinton, Miss.-Clinton). The Clinton, Miss. native took home a state championship in the triple jump, and he will bring his leaping abilities to EMU while donning the Green and White.

Hailing from Fairmont, W.Va., Nick Trefz (Fairmont, W.Va.,-Fairmont) stood atop the podium in cross country as well as crossing the finish line first in the 3,200-meter run for a pair of state titles. Trefz won both individual state championships in West Virginia's Division II.

Two of the 27 incoming members of the 2013 EMU men's track and field recruiting class are transfers. Sprinter Nick James (Troy, Ohio-Troy (Bellarmine University)) comes from Bellarmine University while Jared LaBarge (Alpena, Mich.-Alpena (Alpena CC)) will run mid-distance races for the Eagles.

Ohio has 11 high school track and field stars taking their talents to EMU while 11 athletes from Michigan will stay in-state to compete for the Green and White. The following states have one future Eagle: Florida, Mississippi, New York, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Coach Goodridge, along with assistant coaches Steven Manz and Sterling Roberts, provide their take on the incoming class.

EMU Men's Track and Field Recruiting Class of 2013

Teyland Avery         Grand Rapids, Mich.-Ottawa Hills
    Personal Bests: 100-meter dash: 10.56, 200-meter dash: 22.34
   Michigan Division 2 State Championship100 meter Runner-up
   "Teyland is a sprinter with a lot of promise." - Coach Roberts
Bennett Biondo      Longwood, Fla.-Lake Brantley
    Personal Bests: 200-meter dash: 22.01, 400-meter dash: 49.29
   "Bennett joins a deep group of long sprinters with a bright future." - Coach Roberts
Tyler Brown             Findlay, Ohio-Findlay
   Personal Bests: 400-meter dash: 47.08, High Jump: 6-feet 10-inches, Long Jump: 23-feet 9-inches
   Ohio Division I State Champion: 400-meter dash, high jump and runner-up in long jump
   "What a talented versatile athlete! We are very excited to see Tyler in an Eagle uniform." - Coach Roberts
Eli Burdette             Mansfield, Ohio-Ontario
   Personal Bests: Discus Throw: 176-feet 3-inches, Shot Put: 54-feet 8-inches
   "Eli is very powerful and athletic and has a bright future." - Coach Manz
Tribune Dailey        Toledo, Ohio-Rogers
   Personal Bests: High Jump: 6-feet 6-inches
   "Tribune has exciting potential as he currently has far more experience in basketball than high jumping." - Coach Goodridge
Abel Flores              Defiance, Ohio-Defiance
   Personal Bests: 1,600-meter run: 4:23 3,200-meter run: 9:27
   Ohio Division II State Champion: 3,200-meter run, runner-up in cross country
   "Abel's high school career has been handicapped by injuries. We hope this can get resolved to allow longer more consistent periods of training." - Coach Goodridge.
Michael Griffin         Norwalk, Ohio-St. Paul
   Personal Bests: 200-meter dash: 22.03, Long Jump: 22-feet 2-inches
   "Michael is a talented three sport athlete who will now concentrate on Track."- Coach Roberts
Caleb Hess             Owosso, Mich.-Owosso
   Personal Bests: 1,600-meter run: 4:26
   "Caleb started coming into his own in his senior track season with marked improvement and now has a new sense of his potential." - Coach Goodridge
Gabe Hodge            Davison, Mich.-Davison
   Personal Bests: 200-meter dash: 22.69, 400-meter dash: 48.57
   Michigan Division 1 State Champion: 400 meter-dash
   "Gabe is a very strong sprinter who also ran on his high school 4x800." - Coach Roberts
Kevin Huddle           Granville, Ohio-Granville
   Personal Bests: 1,600-meter run: 4:36, 3,200-meter run: 9:42
   "Kevin is looking for an opportunity where he can develop." - Coach Goodridge
Nick James              Troy, Ohio-Troy (Bellarmine University)
   Personal Bests: 100-meter dash: 10.92, 200-meter dash: 21.74
   "Nick will add depth and competition to our sprint group. " Coach Roberts
John Knox                 Gloversville, N.Y.-Gloversville
   Personal Bests: 3,200-meter run: 9:12
   "John had a breakout senior track season and has plenty of room for improvement." - Coach Goodridge
Jared LaBarge          Alpena, Mich.-Alpena (Alpena CC)
   Personal Bests: 800-meter run: 1:55
   "Jared is a hard working middle distance athlete ready for the transition to Division I." - Coach Goodridge
Tyler Leach                Ann Arbor, Mich.-Pioneer
   Personal Bests: Pole Vault: 15-feet 0-inches
   "Tyler is a two sport athlete as he is also an accomplished diver." - Coach Manz
Javion Lee                 Clinton, Miss.-Clinton
   Personal Bests: Long Jump: 22-feet 4-inches, Triple Jump: 47-feet 9-inches
   Mississippi State Champion: triple jump
   "Javion is a powerhouse as he is also a state powerlifting champion." - Coach Roberts
Cody Lenfest             Granville, Ohio-Granville
   Personal Bests: 300-meter hurdles: 37.93, Long Jump: 22-feet 10-inches
   "Cody really improved his marks this year and we look forward to this continuing." - Coach Roberts
Mitch Lenneman       River Falls, Wisc.-River Falls
   Personal Bests: 800-meter run: 1:56, 1,600-meter run: 4:14
   4th place in 1,600-meter run at Wisconsin State Championships
   "Mitch caught fire late in the track season and had a very competitive effort in the state meet." - Coach Goodridge
Quinn Levering          Caledonia, Ohio-River Valley
   Personal Bests: Discus Throw: 167-feet 0-inches, Shot Put: 60-feet 1-inch, Weight Throw: 59-feet 2-inches
   "I anticipate Quinn having a smooth transition to the collegiate implement." - Coach Manz
Austin Moore              Castalia, Ohio-Margaretta
   Personal Bests: High Jump: 6-feet 8-inches, Long Jump: 21-feet 10-inches
   "Austin is an all around athlete and hit his personal records late in the season." - Coach Roberts
Zine Nassr                  Dearborn, Mich.-Edsel Ford
   Personal Bests: 1,600-meter run: 4:26
   "Zine has a great work ethic and is ready for the transition to college running." - Coach Goodridge
Joseph Okaiye           Waterford, Mich.-Kettering
   Personal Bests: 100-meter dash: 11.00
   "Joseph is a hard worker who will be competing for a spot among our sprinters." - Coach Roberts
Austin Otterbridge     Grand Rapids, Mich-Christian
   Personal Bests: Long Jump: 21-feet 5-inches
   "Austin was coached by an EMU alum and was drawn quickly to our tradition." - Coach Roberts
Neal Pippen               Detroit, Mich.-Southeastern
   Personal Bests: 100-meter dash: 10.99 200-meter dash: 22.68
   "A Detroiter we are glad is staying close to home." - Coach Roberts
Nick Raymond           Erie, Mich.--Mason
   Personal Bests: 1,600-meter run: 4:15
   Gatorade Michigan Cross Country Athlete of the Year, 20th Foot Locker National Championships, Michigan Division 3 State Champion: cross country
   "Nick had a very exciting and rewarding cross country season. He spent the winter as a competitive swimmer as he has done throughout his high school career." - Coach Goodridge
Triston Richardson Olentangy, Ohio-Olentangy Orange
   Personal Bests: Pole Vault: 14-feet 6-inches
   "Both Triston's parents were very good MAC track and field athletes, and we are thrilled to have him in a EMU uniform." - Coach Goodridge
Dallas Shields            Hazel Park, Mich.-Hazel Park
   Personal Bests: 3,200-meter run: 9:32
   "Dallas was injured during the winter but made good progress getting back in shape." - Coach Goodridge
Nick Trefz                      Fairmont, W.Va.-Fairmont
   Personal Bests: 3,200-meter run: 9:27
   West Virginia Division II State Champion: cross country and 3,200-meter run
   "Nick is a serious young distance runner ready to begin collegiate training." - Coach Goodridge

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Men’s Track and Field Recruiting Class Features 27 Future Eagles

Related News

Related Videos