CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina head track & field coach Jesse Norman today announced the addition of 12 student-athletes for the 2022-23 school year. The newcomers will compete in sprints, distance, pole vault, and jumps and consist of nine freshmen and three transfers including one graduate transfer.

"The coaching staff welcomes this incoming class of recruits to Catamount Nation. This year's class was sought after as a group that could help close the gap on our competitors within the Southern Conference," explained Norman. "We aimed to find student-athletes that were hungry to win team championships and would be willing to hold their teammates accountable to that goal. The search was far and wide which led us to land some great future leaders in this class that will help our pursuit of again winning the Southern Conference team championship."

Taja Booker (University of Memphis – Simpsonville, SC)
PRs: 7.93 (60m), 11.97 (100m), 24.17 (200m), 57.37 (400m)

Jessica Connole (Colgan HS – Manassas, VA)
PRs: 5:28.34 (1600m), 11:23.39 (3200m), 19:20.90 (5k)

Alyssa Cooley (West Carteret HS – Newport, NC)
PRs: 11-9 (Pole Vault)

Brianna Gayle (New Mexico State University – Whitby, Ontario)
PRs: 7.69 (60m), 12.23 (100m), 24.71 (200m)

Landey Green (Patriot HS – Bristol, VA)
PRs: 5:18.26 (1600m), 11:43.09 (3200m), 19:24 (5k)

Jasmine Greene (Olympic HS – Huntersville, NC)
PRs: 18-6.25 (Long Jump), 38-11.5 (Triple Jump), 25.60 (200m)

Caroline Hilliard (Lenoir Rhyne University – Catawba, NC)
PRs:  10:22.03 (3k), 17:38.07 (5k), 36:30.23 (10k)

Sydney Lowe (Alexander HS – Douglasville, GA)
PRs: 5:25.35 (1600m), 12:03.83 (3200m), 19:35.20 (5k)

Shaneil Lysight (Immaculate Conception HS – St. Andrew, Jamaica)
PRs: 12.53 (100m), 25.55 (200m), 14.50 (100m hurdles), 1:05.06 (400m hurdles)

Riley McKinney (Lebanon HS – Lebanon, OH)
PRs: 5:25.35 (1600m), 12:03.83 (3200m), 19:35.20 (5k)

Toria Roundtree (Green Hope HS – Raleigh, NC)
PRs: 38-7.75 (Shot Put), 114-7 (Discus)

Jasmine Smith (East Mecklenburg HS – Charlotte, NC)
PRs: 12.87 (100m), 27.18 (200m), 60.41 (400M)

WCU's indoor and outdoor schedules will be announced later in the fall.

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