University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Photo by: Charles LeClaire
Pitt Track and Field Unveils Early Signing Class
12/1/2017 10:15:00 AM | Track & Field
Ten Ink National Letters of Intent During Early Signing Period
PITTSBURGH – Pitt track and field head coach Alonzo Webb unveiled ten future Panthers who committed during November's early signing period.
The ten signees each inked National Letters of Intent to attend and compete for Pittsburgh next year.
"The coaching staff is happy to welcome the beginning of another great recruiting class," Webb said. "We have been searching for, finding and signing talented athletes that fit the Pitt blue-collar, academically focused, hardworking, no nonsense mold. These athletes understand throughout the recruiting process that when they decide to come to the university that they are not just making a four-year decision, they are making a forty-year decision. This will be a decision that will positively impact them for at least the next forty years of their lives. They understand that this is not just about track and field; this is about life."
The class includes three combination sprinters/hurdlers athletes: Erica Babusci, Crockett Schooler and Sydni Townsend.
Georgia native Joshua Armstrong will join the throws crew. Camryn Simpson, out of Palmyra HS in Annville, Pa., will jump for the Panthers.
On the distance side, the men will add Evan Addison of La Salle College HS in Wyndmoor, Pa., and Nathan Cousino out of Whitmer HS in Toledo, Ohio.
Women's distance added Pennsylvania natives Emily Bonaventure and Caelan Miller, as well as Devon Hoernlein out of Allentown, N.J.
"This early signing class targets some of the areas that are becoming some of the strong points for us," Webb said. "This class is relatively diverse, covering distance, sprints, hurdles, jumps and throws. Not only is this class academically strong but they are continuing to bring state championship pedigrees to add to our most recent class that included eleven state champions. We are looking forward to them joining us in the fall and help us as we continue towards our goal of becoming ACC champions."
MEET THE SIGNEES
SPRINTS/HURDLES
Erica Babusci (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester HS)
PR: 43.49 (300mH), 19:49.87 (XC 5K)
Career accomplishments:
"Erica is a talented runner with a lot of range," short sprints/hurdles coach Keith Roberts said. "With her capacity she should make a smooth transition from the 300 hurdles to the 400 hurdles. I look for Erica to have an impact in both the sprints and the hurdles."
Crockett Schooler (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central HS)
PR: 8.24 (60mH), 14.31 (110mH), 38.19 (300mH), 55.98 (400mH)
Career accomplishments:
"Crockett is one of the top returning hurdlers in the state of Ohio which has one of the richest hurdle traditions in the country," short sprints/hurdles coach Keith Roberts said. "With his speed and strength I see Crockett adjusting from the 39" hurdles to the 42" hurdles quickly and making noise on the big stage."
Sydni Townsend (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann Goretti HS)
PR: 14.89 (100mH), 25.00 (200m – in), 24.36 (200m), 42.93 (300mH), 1:00.99 (400mH), 56.26 (400m – in), 54.59 (400m), 22:29.00 (XC 5K)
Career accomplishments:
"Sydni is one of the top student-athletes in the country," short sprints/hurdles coach Keith Roberts said. "She can hurdle, sprint, and run mid distance at a high level. With her rare combination of speed and strength I can see her having an instant impact on our program."
THROWS
Joshua Armstrong (College Park, Ga., Woodward Academy)
PR: 183'2" (hammer), 61'8" (weight), 153'2" (discus)
Career accomplishments:
"The sky is the limit for Joshua," throws coach Brent Shelby said. "He's a young man with a huge upside, boundless determination and a passion for competition."
JUMPS
Camryn Simpson (Annville, Pa./Palmyra HS)
PR: 18'5" (long jump), 37'4" (triple jump)
Career accomplishments:
"Camryn is a diamond in the rough," jumps/multis coach Alonzo Webb III said. "She is the type of athlete that everyone needs in their program, and I expect her to show that throughout her senior season and continue to do so once she joins us here at Pitt. We are really excited about what she is capable of achieving."
MEN'S DISTANCE
Evan Addison (Wyndmoor, Pa./La Salle College HS)
PR: 1:54.5 (800m), 4:17.2 (Mile)
Career accomplishments:
"Evan Addison is a proven winner and he will be an exciting addition to our team," men's distance coach Bryan Jackson said. "He brings so much to the table, on and off the course and track. He lead his cross country team this fall to a state champions and undefeated season."
Nathan Cousino (Toledo, Ohio, Whitmer HS)
PR: 1:52.8 (800m), 15:12.8 (XC 5K)
Career accomplishments:
"I'm very excited for the addition of Nate Cousino," men's distance coach Bryan Jackson said. "He brings tremendous range both on the track and cross country course, and more importantly he brings all the intangibles we are looking for. Nate lead his cross country team to its first ever Ohio State Championship appearance, while on the way winning their conference, district and region titles."
WOMEN'S DISTANCE
Emily Bonaventure (Souderton, Pa/Souderton HS)
Career accomplishments:
Devon Hoernlein (Allentown, N.J./Allentown HS)
Career accomplishments:
Caelan Miller (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel HS)
Career accomplishments:
"I am excited to add these three young women to our distance group," women's distance coach Adam Bray said. "They will provide more depth to our team on both the cross country course and on the track. I believe they will come and make a great impact in continuing to grow our program to new heights."
The Panthers kick off their 2017-18 indoor season with the annual Blue-Gold Meet, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-2, at Charles L Cost Sport Center and Fitzgerald Field House.
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The ten signees each inked National Letters of Intent to attend and compete for Pittsburgh next year.
"The coaching staff is happy to welcome the beginning of another great recruiting class," Webb said. "We have been searching for, finding and signing talented athletes that fit the Pitt blue-collar, academically focused, hardworking, no nonsense mold. These athletes understand throughout the recruiting process that when they decide to come to the university that they are not just making a four-year decision, they are making a forty-year decision. This will be a decision that will positively impact them for at least the next forty years of their lives. They understand that this is not just about track and field; this is about life."
The class includes three combination sprinters/hurdlers athletes: Erica Babusci, Crockett Schooler and Sydni Townsend.
Georgia native Joshua Armstrong will join the throws crew. Camryn Simpson, out of Palmyra HS in Annville, Pa., will jump for the Panthers.
On the distance side, the men will add Evan Addison of La Salle College HS in Wyndmoor, Pa., and Nathan Cousino out of Whitmer HS in Toledo, Ohio.
Women's distance added Pennsylvania natives Emily Bonaventure and Caelan Miller, as well as Devon Hoernlein out of Allentown, N.J.
"This early signing class targets some of the areas that are becoming some of the strong points for us," Webb said. "This class is relatively diverse, covering distance, sprints, hurdles, jumps and throws. Not only is this class academically strong but they are continuing to bring state championship pedigrees to add to our most recent class that included eleven state champions. We are looking forward to them joining us in the fall and help us as we continue towards our goal of becoming ACC champions."
MEET THE SIGNEES
SPRINTS/HURDLES
Erica Babusci (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester HS)
PR: 43.49 (300mH), 19:49.87 (XC 5K)
Career accomplishments:
- School record holder in the 1600m relay (4:06.61)
- Scored 38 points at OCC league meet with wins in 100mH, 300mH, HJ and second place in 200m
- Academic All-Ohio
- 10th place at the 2016 Ohio State Meet in 300mH
- Individual regional qualifier in cross country in 2016 with a time of 19:49.87
- Lettered in soccer, basketball (starter) her freshman year before deciding to focus on track
"Erica is a talented runner with a lot of range," short sprints/hurdles coach Keith Roberts said. "With her capacity she should make a smooth transition from the 300 hurdles to the 400 hurdles. I look for Erica to have an impact in both the sprints and the hurdles."
Crockett Schooler (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central HS)
PR: 8.24 (60mH), 14.31 (110mH), 38.19 (300mH), 55.98 (400mH)
Career accomplishments:
- Two0time All-American in the 110m & 400m hurdles, placing fourth in both
- Three-time Ohio Capital Conference and Central District Champion
- Regional champion, and placed at the state meet
- Holds school records in the 300m and 110m hurdles
"Crockett is one of the top returning hurdlers in the state of Ohio which has one of the richest hurdle traditions in the country," short sprints/hurdles coach Keith Roberts said. "With his speed and strength I see Crockett adjusting from the 39" hurdles to the 42" hurdles quickly and making noise on the big stage."
Sydni Townsend (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann Goretti HS)
PR: 14.89 (100mH), 25.00 (200m – in), 24.36 (200m), 42.93 (300mH), 1:00.99 (400mH), 56.26 (400m – in), 54.59 (400m), 22:29.00 (XC 5K)
Career accomplishments:
- Holds school records in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 100mH, 300mH, 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay
- 14-time All-American
- Five-time National Champion in multiple events
- 800m gold medalist in 2011, 2013 & 2014
- 400m gold medalist in 2013, 2014
- 200mH gold medalist in 2014
- Three-time Outdoor Catholic League MVP
- Gold medalist at the 2017 Penn Relays in the 4x400m relay, breaking a 21-year old record
"Sydni is one of the top student-athletes in the country," short sprints/hurdles coach Keith Roberts said. "She can hurdle, sprint, and run mid distance at a high level. With her rare combination of speed and strength I can see her having an instant impact on our program."
THROWS
Joshua Armstrong (College Park, Ga., Woodward Academy)
PR: 183'2" (hammer), 61'8" (weight), 153'2" (discus)
Career accomplishments:
- Top 10 finish at the New Balance Indoor National Championships in weight throw
- Top 10 finish US Junior National Championship in hammer throw
"The sky is the limit for Joshua," throws coach Brent Shelby said. "He's a young man with a huge upside, boundless determination and a passion for competition."
JUMPS
Camryn Simpson (Annville, Pa./Palmyra HS)
PR: 18'5" (long jump), 37'4" (triple jump)
Career accomplishments:
- Fourth place in long jump at Pennsylvania State Meet
- Broke three Palmyra HS records (long jump, triple jump, 4x100m relay)
- National Honors Society member
- Member of Distinguished Honor Roll every year of high school
"Camryn is a diamond in the rough," jumps/multis coach Alonzo Webb III said. "She is the type of athlete that everyone needs in their program, and I expect her to show that throughout her senior season and continue to do so once she joins us here at Pitt. We are really excited about what she is capable of achieving."
MEN'S DISTANCE
Evan Addison (Wyndmoor, Pa./La Salle College HS)
PR: 1:54.5 (800m), 4:17.2 (Mile)
Career accomplishments:
- 2017 PIAA State Cross Country Champion
- 2017 PCL Cross Country Champion
- Helped La Salle set PCL all-time low score record (15 points) at league cross country championship
"Evan Addison is a proven winner and he will be an exciting addition to our team," men's distance coach Bryan Jackson said. "He brings so much to the table, on and off the course and track. He lead his cross country team this fall to a state champions and undefeated season."
Nathan Cousino (Toledo, Ohio, Whitmer HS)
PR: 1:52.8 (800m), 15:12.8 (XC 5K)
Career accomplishments:
- 2017 Ohio Indoor 800m State Champion
- Won 2017 Three Rivers Athletic Conference and district titles
- Placed third at regionals and was seventh at D-I state meet
"I'm very excited for the addition of Nate Cousino," men's distance coach Bryan Jackson said. "He brings tremendous range both on the track and cross country course, and more importantly he brings all the intangibles we are looking for. Nate lead his cross country team to its first ever Ohio State Championship appearance, while on the way winning their conference, district and region titles."
WOMEN'S DISTANCE
Emily Bonaventure (Souderton, Pa/Souderton HS)
Career accomplishments:
- Second place at 2017 PTXC Kutztown Cross Country Invitational
Devon Hoernlein (Allentown, N.J./Allentown HS)
Career accomplishments:
- 2017 Mercer County Cross Country Champion
Caelan Miller (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel HS)
Career accomplishments:
- Led Fox Chapel HS to the 2017 Pennsylvania State Cross Country Championship
"I am excited to add these three young women to our distance group," women's distance coach Adam Bray said. "They will provide more depth to our team on both the cross country course and on the track. I believe they will come and make a great impact in continuing to grow our program to new heights."
The Panthers kick off their 2017-18 indoor season with the annual Blue-Gold Meet, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-2, at Charles L Cost Sport Center and Fitzgerald Field House.
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