Sept. 2, 2012

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.- The Thundering Herd track and field team made several notable improvements last season, both in the Conference USA Championships and the Marshall track and field record books. With multiple new records set, and the Herd improving upon its last place finishes from 2010-11, the 2011-12 season showed signs that Marshall track and field is making strides in the right direction.

Last season’s newcomers played a part in that progress, as Loren Dyer became a member of the record-setting outdoor 4x400m relay team, and transfer Crystal Walker leapt to three vital points for the Herd in the triple jump at the C-USA Indoor Championships. This season’s freshman class, highlighted below, is looking to help Marshall make even more progress on the conference and national scenes. With the announcement that an indoor track and field complex will be forthcoming, and with the contributions this new class of “She Herd” runners is expected to make, the future looks bright for the Thundering Herd track and field program.

2012-13 Newcomers

Shyra Moltton – Ashland, VA (Patrick Henry HS)

Personal Bests: 100m – 12.0; 200m – 24.2; 60m – 7.60

             Ranked 13^th in the U.S. & 3^rd in the state of Virginia in the 60m

Ranked 30^th in the U.S. & 1^st in the state of Virginia in the 200m

“Shyra is a very explosive runner. She will make an immediate impact in our sprint group.  She is a hard worker, who comes from a good background in Virginia.  We are excited to see the things Shyra does upon arrival.” – Coach Johnson

Asia Bange – Columbus, OH (Walnut Ridge HS)

Personal Bests: 60H – 9.0; 100H – 14.17; 300H – 44.47

             Ranked 39^th in the U.S. & 6^th in the state of Ohio in the 60H

             Ranked 42^nd in the U.S. & 5^th in the state of Ohio in the 100H

2012 Ohio State Champion - 100 meter hurdles, 5x State Qualifier

“Asia is a raw talent that flew under the radar throughout her entire senior season.  She stepped up big for her team at the state meet, and we look for her to step in and challenge the conference to be a scorer in the short hurdles.” – Coach Johnson

Shanice Johnson – Franklin Square, NY (Valley Stream North HS)

Personal Bests:100m – 12.17; 200m – 24.67; 300m – 40.7; 400m – 57.55

             Ranked 40^th in the U.S. & 11^th in the state New York in the 300m

             Ranked 11^th in the 100m & 4^th in the 200m in the state of New York

2012 National Qualifier, 7x State Qualifier, 2x State Section Champion, 2x County Champion

“Shanice is a unique athlete.  She has the body make up of a 400 runner, yet she is a short sprinter that has her best days in front of her.  She is the complete sprinter which every sprint coach loves to have.” – Coach Johnson

Catika Slay – Douglasville, GA (Alexander HS)

Personal Bests: 100H – 15.44; LJ – 18’8; SH – 36; 800m – 2:30

20x National Qualifier, 3x State Qualifier

“Tika is a wonderful athlete.  It is not often that you find a young lady who is well groomed in the Multi Events, she has competed in the Pent & Hep multiple times, so she is well groomed the mental aspect of the Multi’s which is the hardest part of that event.  She has the toughness that she will be able to compete in other events for us also.” – Coach Johnson

Bethany Drury – St. Albans, WV (St. Albans HS)

Personal Bests: SH – 42’5; Discus – 128’

             Ranked 1^st in Shot & 2^nd in the Discus in the state of West Virginia

2012 West Virginia State Champion in the shot put and discus

“Bethany has the potential to be the next great thrower at Marshall.” – Coach Small

Alex Phares – Morgantown, WV (University HS)

Personal Bests: 800m – 2:33; 1600 – 5:23

             Ranked 3^rd in the 1500m & 20^th in the 800m in the state of West Virginia

“Alex improved greatly her last year in high school.  If this improvement continues over the next couple years, she will really help both cross country and track and field teams.” – Coach Small

Isabelle Rogner – Lewisburg, WV (Greenbriar East HS)

Personal Best: PV – 9’6

             Ranked 6^th in the Pole Vault in the state of West Virginia

“Isabelle is a bright young lady. She is the first pole vaulter here at Marshall in a long time, so she brings a sense of history to the program.” – Coach Johnson

Carrie Coriell – Lucasville, OH (Valley HS)

Personal Best: Discus – 122’

“Carrie will improve our depth in all of the throwing events.” – Coach Small