Track and Field Announces Early Signing Class

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After his squad set two school records at the Dec. 2 season-opening indoor meet, University of Memphis track and field head coach Kevin Robinson has to be excited heading into next semester. Another reason for his enthusiasm is the Tigers' 2018 signing class, the largest group of early signees in program history.

Robinson and his staff hauled in 11 in the early-signing class. The following is Robinson's comments on the class and brief bios on the signees:

Head coach Kevin Robinson
"The early signing period went really well for us. We made around 20 offers, and we were able to reel in 11 of those. The group we signed is very competent. They're going to be able to come in and make an impact right away, and that's what we're looking for. We feel really good about the kids we brought in, but the challenge for me and my staff is not to stop there and continue to go out and get the best possible athletes to come and wear the Tigers uniform.

"We also managed to bring in a couple of mid-year transfers that can step in and do a really good job. I'm really excited about our recruiting, and hopefully, these kids will prove me right."

Women's Signees
Emma Bauer
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Lethbridge Collegiate Institute

Two-time defending Alberta School Athletic Association (ASAA) gold medalist in the women's discus
Three-time defending Athletics Alberta gold medalist in the women's discus
Athletics Alberta provincial champion in that hammer (outdoor) and weight throw (indoor)
Ranked No. 1 in the indoor weight throw, No. 3 in the discus and No. 6 in the hammer in Canada

Roselyn Cicmanec
Brunswick, Md.
Brunswick High School

Set five school records (indoor/outdoor combined) in 2017, including a 5-6 (1.67m) mark in the high jump
Three-time Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) Class 1A state champion in the high jump
Won all high jump events she competed in her junior campaign (2017)

Erin Gilbert
St. Charles, Mo.
Francis Howell High School

Continues pipeline of distance runners from Francis Howell High School, following Kristen Adams and Arnica Zitting
Posted top-15 performances in both the 800 (15^th) and 1600 (12^th) meters at the 2017 Missouri High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA) Class 5 Championships
Member of Francis Howell's 4x800 meter relay that was second at the 2017 MSHSAA Class 5 Championships

Tanalya Gordon
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Blackman High School

Named to the Daily News Journal's All-Area first team
Won the county championships in the 100 and 200 meters and finished fourth in the long jump at the state championships
Holds school records in the 200 meters and long jump
Part of the 4x400 relay team that set the school record in 2016

Christian Hill
Homewood, Ala.
Homewood High School

Part of the 4x200 relay team that set the school record
Earned All-State honors after finishing second in the long jump
Helped Homewood High School claim its 10^th state championship, including a fourth-consecutive girls' team title

Savanna Owens
Eads, Tenn.
Briarcrest Christian School

Has school records in the 400 meters and 4x200m and 4x400m relays
Two-time 400 meters state champion
As an All-American, competed in the AAU Junior Olympics and finished eighth

Mari-Liis Tulev
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn University of Technology

Mid-year transfer to Memphis; eligible to compete in the 2018 spring semester
Competes in throws
Has a personal-best javelin throw of 174-1 (53.07m)
By 2016, had won 60 gold, 35 silver and 25 bronze in her competitions
Won gold at the Estonia Youth Athletics Championships in the summer of 2016

Men's Signees
Nick Degroot
Richmond, Ill.
Burton High School

Earned All-Kishwaukee River Conference (KRC) honors with his seventh-place finish at the 2017 league cross country championships in October
Won the 800 meters at the KRC Outdoor Championships last May (junior season)
Set school records in the outdoor 400 and 800 meters as a sophomore in 2016

Payton Gleason
Churchville, N.Y.
Churchville-Chili High School

Earned all-county first team honors in cross country this fall
Placed fifth at the New York State championship race, the highest individual finish in school history
Set six personal-bests combined in the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2017
As a junior in 2016, earned all-state and all-county honors for cross country; placed 17^th in the state cross country championships

Joshua Owten
Memphis, Tenn.
Central High School

Earned 2017 Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class AAA All-State honors in 300 meter hurdles
Member of 2015 Central High School squad that won the state title
Set two Central High School record in the hurdles
Competed in the 2014 Junior Olympics and won bronze in the 200 meter hurdles

Imri Persiado
Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel
Alliance High School Tel-Aviv
Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya

Mid-year transfer to Memphis; eligible to compete in the 2018 spring semester
Member of the Israel 4x100 meter relay that set the European Games record in the event in 2015
Personal bests are 6.90 in the 60 meters, 10.38 in the 100 meters and 20.99 in the 200 meters

University of Memphis Athletics

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Arnica Zitting

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