EMPORIA, KAN. (April 18, 2007)--Emporia State head track and field and cross country coach David Harris has announced the signing of 14 student-athletes to letters of intent to attend Emporia State and participate in track and field for the Hornets. Twelve of the fourteen are from the state of Kansas, including three Kansas state champions.

“We are excited about the group of student athletes who recently signed with our Hornet Track & Field program. As always we recruit athletes to develop into contributors at the MIAA and NCAA Division II level,” said Harris. “It is one of the toughest cross country and track and field conferences in the nation so we may not see the contribution immediately in all cases but over time this will be a good class.”

Men
“The past two years we have recruited and signed the Kansas Class 5A State Cross Country Champion,” said Harris. “Sloane Kern will make an impact in our distance group joining last years state champion Skyler Delmott from Emporia HS.”

Distance
Sloane Kern leads a talented class. The Kansas state champion in Class 5A cross country is a three-time Western Athletic Conference champion in cross country and was the WAC Athlete of the Year in 2005 and 2006. Ryan Hahn was a two-time all-city selection for Shawnee Heights HS. Will Hohmeier was a two-time all-sectional performer for Lindbergh HS in St. Louis. Kerek Mason is a two-time Northwest Kansas League champion in cross country and also placed third in the state in wrestling as a sophomore.

Sprints/Hurdles
Kenton Lonberger is the Kansas Class 2A state champion in the 100m and 200m. Wes Doolittle is an All-Johnson County performer for Blue Valley Northwest HS.

Throws
Kevin Roulhac is a two-time Mid-Central Activities Association champion in the discus and placed fourth in state last season.

Women
“The women's group continues our number one goal of adding depth to our cross country team,” said Harris. “Four of these athletes are distance runners who will be called on to vie for spots in the top five this next fall.”

Distance
Chelsea Clanton was the WAC champion in the 800m and 1600m and was a member of the Class 5A state championship 1600m relay team for Great Bend HS. Kathryn Davison is a three time state qualifier in both cross country and track for Topeka West HS. Tiffany Baum was an all-state performer for Stillwater HS. Kylie Bookout is an AVCTL champion in the 800m.

Sprints
Erin Carr holds the Marion HS record in the 100m and 200m.

Jumps
Lindsay Lippert was fourth in the state in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump for Wamego HS.

Throws
Rachel DeMint is an All-Big 7 League performer and has a personal best of 120-08 in the javelin.

“We of course are continuing our recruiting efforts and I foresee many more signees before this track and field season is complete,” added Harris.

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2007 ESU Track & Field Spring Signees
Men
Wes Doolittle Hurdles/Sprints Overland Park, Kan.
Ryan Hahn
Distance
Berryton, Kan.
Will Hohmeier
Distance
St. Louis, Mo.
Sloane Kern
Distance
Great Bend, Kan.
Kenton Lonberger Sprints
Minneapolis, Kan.
Kerek Mason
Distance
Goodland, Kan.
Kevin Roulhac
Throws
Hesston, Kan.

Women
Tiffany Baum
Distance
Stillwater, Okla.
Kylie Bookout
Middle Distance
El Dorado, Kan.
Chelsea Clanton Distance
Great Bend, Kan.
Erin Carr
Sprints
Marion, Kan.
Kathryn Davison Distance
Topeka, Kan.
Rachel DeMint
Throws
Sabetha, Kan.
Lindsay Lippert
Jumps
Wamego, Kan.