Men’s Track and Field Recruiting Class Features 25 Future Eagles

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University's men's track and field team has announced the addition of 24 new student-athletes to the 2015-16 squad. With a wealth of talent among the 22 signees, Eastern Michigan looks to continue to remain among the top programs in Mid-American Conference after winning conference titles in the cross country and outdoor track and field seasons, while taking second in the indoor track and field campaign.

"I am very happy to announce and welcome our incoming class for Cross Country and Track and Field," remarked Head Men's Cross Country and Track and Field Coach John Goodridge. "In assessing the backgrounds and experiences these athletes have had, I believe that as a group there is strong potential for development. Development of athletes has been one of many long standing continuing traditions at EMU."

Eli Barber comes to Ypsilanti from Columbus, Ohio where he competed at Eastmoor Academy High School. Barber was a four-year letterwinner in cross country and track and field being named first team all-city in the 300m hurdles after completing the race in 39.58 seconds. Following the regular season, be became the 300m hurdles Division II district and regional champion and was a member of 4x400m Division II district and regional championship team. Barber finished fourth in the 300m hurdles at the 2015 Ohio Division II State Championship meet, while his 4x400m team took second. The standout athlete was first team all-city in the high jump as a freshman and second team all-city as a sophomore in golf. In addition to his success on the track, Barber was a three-year varsity letterwinner in basketball, while leading his squad to a pair of district championship.

"Eli was one of our first commits in the sprints/hurdles group, and he had a nice senior year," remarked assistant coach Sterling Roberts.

Long distance runner Adam Beck comes to Eastern Michigan after graduating from Rochester Adams High School in Rochester, Mich. Beck was a four-year varsity letterwinner in wrestling, while earning three letters in cross country and track and field. He was named team captain for cross country, wrestling and track and field teams as a senior and qualified for the MHSAA State Championship meet on his way to all-state honors with a 15:49 finish, the fourth-fastest time in Rochester Adams history. He earned all-league honors in the two-mile run with a time of 9:55, in addition to winning the Brown and Gold award in all three sports after being voted the athlete who exhibits strongest leadership and worth ethic by his teammates.

"Adam welcomes the challenge and opportunity of joining us," stated Goodridge. "He now becomes a full-time distance runner after having also been a varsity wrestler."

Roman Blackwell was a four-year letterwinner on the Jackson High School track and field team. He was a three-time All-CAAC Blue First Team award winner in cross country and was named to the all-region cross country team in his junior and senior campaigns. Blackwell earned all-state honors in the 4x800m relay as well as the distance medley relay during the indoor campaign as a senior. In addition, he was quite successful in multiple other events as he was named all-region in the 4x400m, 1600m and 3200m and all-conference in the 1600m and 3200m. Blackwell set the sophomore school record in the 3200m run on his way to all-region and second team all-conference accolades.

"Roman's senior track season was hindered by lingering injuries which kept him from having the kind of season expected," explained Goodridge.

Mark Bryant II travels from Edmond, Okla. to compete for Goodridge's squad. He was honored by being on the Superintendent and Principal's Honor Roll and was a four-year letterwinner in track and field. He earned first time all-conference honors as a senior. In addition, Bryant played for the Edmond Memorial basketball team as a senior.

"Bryant comes to us from Oklahoma as the State Champion in the discus," commented assistant coach Steve Manz. "As a high school multi-sport athlete, his athleticism will be a great asset in his continued success in the discus and introduction to the javelin and hammer throwing events."

Colin Burdette joins the EMU cross country and track and field teams following a stellar career at Davidson High School in Hilliard, Ohio. Burdett was a four-year Honor Roll honoree while also being a member of the French National Honor Society in addition to his four letters in cross country and track and field. He was a two-time Ohio Captial Conference and district champion in cross country, while also setting a district meet and course record as a senior. Burdette was the runner-up at the regional cross country meet and earned All-Ohio accolades for cross country in three seasons. In addition, he was the state runner-up in the 3200m run during the indoor track season as a senior, while also taking fourth in the 4x800m relay. Burdette was able to capture the Ohio Capital Conference 1600m and 3200m races championships.

"Colin made a very strong impression on me the first time I saw him race but it was our first conversation that convinced me of my determination to attract him to EMU," said Goodridge. "He comes well prepared for a smooth transition to collegiate distance running."

A three-sport athlete in high school, Josh Coston joins the Green and White following his graduation from Carson City-Crystal Are High School. Coston was a two-time varsity letterwinner in track, while he earned a letter in football and wrestling. He was named the track team's MVP and captain during his senior year and earned first team all-conference accolades during both his junior and senior seasons. He won regional and state championships in his senior campaign and was the Daily News Male Track Athlete of the Year after being named to the all-state team his senior year. He also qualified for the Michigan High School Athletic Association State Championships as a junior.

"Josh is a very motivated athlete that will give us added depth in the discus," said Manz. "I'm also excited to see how his strong work ethic will translate to his hammer development."

Aitor Ekobo joins the Eagles after graduating from Jose Luis Lopez Aranguren Secondary School. Ekobo was the Spanish Junior National Champion in the 100m sprint during the 2014-15 year. As a junior, he placed second in the 100m at the European York Olympic Trials and fourth in the Youth Olympic Games. During the 2012-13 campaign, Ekobo notched the Spanish Youth Championship in bouth the 60m and 100m, while appearing as a finalist in the 100m at the World Youth Championships.

"We were looking for a short sprinter this year and we are very excited about Aitor's potential," said Roberts.

Frank Douglas, Jr. heads from Mansfield, Ohio to Ypsilanti to join the 2015-16 track and field team. Douglas was a Madison Comprehensive Scholar-Athlete and took third in the All-Ohio State Track Championships after winning both the district and Ohio Cardinal Championships. In addition to his state championships, he was a four-time district champion and three-time Ohio Cardinal Champion.

"Frank has shown versatility in the sprints and the hurdles, and really showed he can compete when it counts," stated Roberts. "He ran a big PR to finish 3rd at the State Meet, and followed that up with a 2nd place finish at the Midwest Meet of Champions."

Jay Fowler comes to Eastern Michigan as a multi-sport high school athlete. He was a four-year letterwinner in track and field, as well as football while also earning three letters in basketball. He exceled in the triple jump, including a person best, 46-foot and nine-inch jump.

"With development Jordan will have the opportunity to have an immediate impact as a freshman," said Roberts.

Joining the Eagles from Huron High School in Huron, Ohio is freshman Zach Harkey. Harkey was a two-time varsity letter winner on the track and field team, winning the Sandusky Conference championship in shot put and discus on his way to a district and regional championship in discus. He set the Huron High School record for the discus as a senior before being named to the All-Ohio team and earned one letter on the Huron golf team.

"Due to great high school coaches and hard work, Zach improved dramatically his senior year with bests of 179'6" in the discus and 55'1.25" in the shot put," explained Manz. "He has great levers and will benefit from increasing his work load in the weight room. I'm very excited the discus as well as his potential in the other throwing events."

Cameron Hart comes to EMU following his career at Bishop Hartley High School in Columbus, Ohio. Hart was a four-year letterwinner on the track and field team, while earning a pair of letters in basketball. He was a four-time First Team All-CCL honoree and nabbed First Team All-America honors during the 2013-14 indoor track and field season. He was the long jump state champion during the 2015 outdoor track and field season and was named to the All-Ohio team on two separate occasions.

"We were looking at Cameron initially as a high jumper, but he also developed as a long jumper," said Roberts.

Nick Herbert comes to Eastern from Portage, Mich. where he competed at Portage Northern High School. Herbert earned academic high honors throughout his four years at Portage Northern and was a two-year varsity letterwinner in track and field as well as football. In addition, he earned one varsity letter in basketball. Herbert took third at the Michigan Indoor State Championships in the long jump and has recorded a 22-foot 11-inch long jump in his career.

"Nick had an unfortunate string of injuries to close out his senior year," said Roberts. "He had a great indoor season, though, and showed his versatility by doing well in the sprints, too."

Following his graduation from Allen Park High School, Alec Keaton made the decision to join the Eagles for the 2015-16 campaign. Keaton earned four varsity letters in cross country and three in track and field. He was a three-time News Herald all-downriver team honoree in cross country, while earning two all-league awards. Keaton was named all-state and all-county accolades as a senior, as well as being a team Michigan participant.

"Alec is a hard working athlete who understands the challenges ahead but looking for the opportunity to develop here," explained Goodridge.

Native of Delaware, Ohio, Alex Jacobs joins Goodridge's squad following a accolade-filled career at Dublin High School. Jacobs completed his career as both a hurdler and pole vaulter. He qualified for the Ohio State Championships in both the 60m hurdles and the pole vault, while placing in the Ohio Cardinal Conference (OCC) Championships, taking third in the 110m and 300m hurdles, along with second the pole vault. He placed in the OCC Championships in each of his four letterwinning seasons at DHS. In addition, Jacobs earned a letter in cross country as a sophomore, while garnering a pair of varsity letters in wrestling.

"Alex is a highly energetic young man with a great head start to becoming a successful multi-event athlete in college with his hurdle and pole vault skills," stated Manz. "He will be a great addition to the group and I look forward to seeing him develop in the future."

Ted Lang joins EMU from just up the road after competing at Canton High School in Canton, Mich. He was a three-year letterwinner in track and field while earning a letter in Bowling as a senior. Lang was named First Team All-Kensington Lakes Activity Association, while also taking first in the regional in pole vault during his senior campaign. In addition he led his bowling team to a regional championship.

"Ted has been exposed to good pole vault coaches who have prepared him for the future," remarked Goodridge.

Coming across the country for his education, Chris Lopez will compete from EMU after graduating from Vista del Lago High School in Moreno Valley, Calif. Lopez was a four-time varsity letterwinner in cross country and track and field and was named both the cross country and track and field teams' Most Valuable Performer during his sophomore, junior and senior campaigns. He earned first team all-league honors in three-straight seasons and was the league champion in the 1600m and 3200m as a junior and senior. He advanced to the CIF preliminary round individually as a junior.

"Christian is a dedicated athlete who is ready to transition to collegiate competition," stated Goodridge.

Csaba Matko will be transfering to EMU following a stint at Oklahoma City University. Originally from Racalmas, Hungary, Matko already has found success at the collegiate level. While at Oklahoma City University, he placed first at the 2014 NAIA Outdoor National Championship in the 10,000 meters. Additionally, Csaba placed second in the 3000 meters at the 2014 NAIA Indoor National Championship.

Regarding Matko, Goodridge explained that "Csaba is a very interesting distance runner with a wide range of talent combining speed and endurance."

Morgan O'Flahrity comes to EMU following a successful career at Edgewood High School in Madison, Wisc. He was a three-time varsity letterwinner in cross country and track and field and a two-time All-Badger South Conference award winner. O'Flahrity took ninth in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division Two State Cross Country meet and won the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division Two Platteville Cross Country meet. He also qualified for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division Two sectionals in the 1600m and 3200m runs.

"Morgan's talent began to emerge during the cross country season which gave him increased confidence which contributed to a strong senior track season," said Goodridge of O'Flahrity.

Micah Peters is another international recruit, coming from Vaughn Road Academy in York, Ontario. Peters was named the 2014 and 2015 Vaughn Road Academy track and field most valuable performer and earned the 2015 DEBAA triple jump gold medal as a senior. In addition, he was named the Vaughn Road Academy's Athlete of the Year as a senior. He recorded bests of 48-feet and two-inches in the triple jump, while leaping six-feet and eight-inches in the high jump. Peters also took fourth at the Canadian Junior National Championships in the triple jump.

"We've got a nice group of jumpers coming in, and Micah has shown he can excel in multiple events," said Roberts.

Jacob Pettinga joins the Eagles following a succesful career at Saugatuck High School. The Saugatuck, Mich. native earned Academic All-State honors in 2013 and was named Runner of the Year in back-to-back seasons by the Holland Sentinel. He helped his squad to a state championship in track and field as a senior and in cross country as a junior. Pettinga was a two-time all-state award winner in track and field in a pair of events, including the 4x800m relay as a senior and a three-time all-conference and all-region award winner in both track and cross country.

"Jacob was having a breakout cross country season which ended right before the State Championships with a foot stress fracture," remarked Goodridge. "He has impressed me with his dedication and competitive spirit."

Josh Sabo comes to EMU as a graduate student following four years at Ohio State University. He will have one year of eligibility remaining. Sabo took fifth in the 1500m, 800m, 8000m and 1000m at the 2014 Big Ten Championships and is a four-time academic All-Big Ten award winner, while earning Ohio State Scholar-Athlete honors in all four years as well.

"I appreciate very much the opportunity given to me by Josh to coach him in his last year of eligibility," said Goodridge of Sabo. "His experience and motivation can be a real asset for us and I look forward to helping him develop."

David Sapporito was an Honor Roll student at Mott High School in Warren, Mich. and he will compete for Goodrige after a successful four years at Mott. He was a four-year varsity letterwinner in track and field, while earning three letters in cross country. He was named the MVP three times for his track and field squad, while earning a pair of MVP awards in cross country. Sapporito earned all-county honors in three seasons, along with two state qualifying years in cross country and was a two-time state qualifier in track, while also earning all-county honors twice. He also competed on the varsity soccer team as a freshman.

"Very early in the recruiting process David made his strong interest known," said Goodridge. "He understands us."

Another Honor Roll award winner in Austin Sargent comes from Cedar Springs, Mich. At Cedar Springs High School, Sargent won MHSAA Division Two state championships in cross country and the 1600m run as a junior. In his senior campaign, he won OK Bronze Conference championships in four separate events, while winning the regional championship in the 1600m and 3200m runs. He took fourth in the state championship in the 1600m, while finishing runner-up in the cross country state championships and earning all-conference, all-region, all-area and all-state awards as a senior.

"Austin has a wide range of talent which will be fun to see develop," said Goodridge of Sargent.

Another local state product, Mike Smith joins Eastern after a successful career at Chelsea High School in Chelsea, Mich. Smith made appearances at the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Championhip meet in three of his four years, while helping the Bulldogs to a third place finish in the state as a freshman. He was an all-conference and all-state award winner in the discus during his junior and senior campaigns and took first in the discus at the conference and regional championships, while taking second and third in the shotput, respectively. Smith was an SEC All-Conference award winner in football while leading the Bulldogs to a district championship and was a four-year letterwinner in track and field, while also earning three letters in football.

"Mike struggled with injury throughout the end of his high school career but was still able to throw pretty far in the discus," explained Manz. "He has a great attitude and work ethic which will be important to his success at the collegiate level."

A three-year Honor Roll member at Clinton High School in Clinton, Mich., Tyler Underwood will begin his career as an Eagle in 2015-16. Underwood was a three-year letterwinner in track and field, while also earning a letter in basketball as well. He was the Michigan High School State champion in the 200m dash and 4x100m relay, while taking second in the 4x200m relay at the state championships. He was named CHS' Most Improved Player on the basketball team, while also garnering the Redskin Award and the TCC Sportsmanship Award. In addition to his success in track and basketball, he also played two years of junior league hockey for the Ogden Mustangs of the Western States Hockey League.

"Tyler is a raw talent.," said Roberts. "He only started seriously running track this year, and he came out and won a state title."

Ben Utz joins the Eagles following his career at Michigan Center High School in Jackson, Mich. Utz was named to the Academic All-Conference teams for both cross country and track and he earned all-aconference accolades in cross country in all four seasons at Michigan Center. Utz was a back-to-back conference champion and a two-time Division III All-State Dream Team award winner in cross country. He led the track team to four conference championships and was the conference champion in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m runs as a senior, while also winning the regional championship and being named all-state in the 1600m and 3200m.

"Ben didn't really have a junior track season due to a severely sprained ankle," explained Goodridge. "I spotted him at a cross country meet in the fall while recruiting another athlete. The moment I saw him race I knew I wanted to coach him."

Derek Ziegenfuss comes to EMU as a successful javelin thrower at Parkland High School in Allentown, Pa. He was a three-year varsity letterwinner for the Trojans, earning all-conference honors as a junior and senior in the javelin. He tossed a personal best 205.1-feet at the American Jav Fest on his way to taking third place…Was awarded the Most Outstanding Field Athlete for Parkland High School.

"Derek comes to us out of Pennsylvania, having thrown over 200' in the javelin multiple times in his high school career," explained Manz. "He will make an immediate impact on our javelin group and will have great potential at the Conference level next year."