Dec. 3, 2003
IOWA CITY, IA – University of Iowa women’s track and field head coach Jim Grant has announced the signing of six recruits for the 2005 season. Recruits Meghan Armstrong, Jessica Schmidt, Sherline Duncan, Natalee Dyke, Jenni Elbert, and Kaitie Johnson will add depth in all events for the Hawkeyes.
Armstrong and Schmidt will be joining the Hawkeye long distance and cross country squads. Armstrong, from Oregon, is one of the top runners in Oregon state history. She is a two-time defending state champion in both the 1,500 and 3,000 meters. Armstrong is also a three-time state runner-up in cross country, notching a personal best time of 17:24 for a 5K race and was selected as the Gatorade Athlete of the Year for the state of Oregon.
Schmidt, a Hilliard, OH native, is a multiple state qualifier in track and cross country. She was named a High School All-American last year and will focus on the steeplechase, 5K and 10K as a Hawkeye.
“These two athletes will add a tremendous amount of depth to our long distance program,” Grant said. “Not only will Meghan and Jessica help out our track program, they will add depth to our cross country roster as well.”
Duncan will add depth to the 100 and 200 meters. She represented her native Jamaica last year at the World Youth Games where she placed fifth in the 100 meter (11.66), fourth in the 200 meter (23.80) and second as a member of the sprint medley relay.
Dyke, a high school teammate of Shirlene Duncan, was a high school champion as a member of the 1,600 meter relay and also competed at the Penn Relays. Her main event at Iowa will be the 400 meters.
“Natalee has a lot of potential that will be developed when she comes to Iowa,” Grant said. “She has shown promise and will help us out in the future.”
“We are very excited to have Sherline join our program,” Grant said. “She is one of the top youth sprinters in the world and will add significant depth. She will be outstanding in her four-year career as a Hawkeye.”
Elbert, from Laurens, Iowa, was the state runner up in the high jump in 2002 and has a personal best jump of 5-7. She currently attends Laurens-Marathon High School.
“Jenni will definitely help out our jumping crew,” said Grant. “She will develop into a worthy competitor for us.”
Johnson, from Starpoint High School in Lockport, NY, is a state champion in the 400 meter hurdles, which will be her primary event as a Hawkeye. She comes to Iowa as one of the top hurdlers in the state of New York. Johnson selected Iowa over Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Central Florida.
“Katie will help out our hurdling corp tremendously,” Grant said. “She will make a significant impact right away in her freshman year.”
“We are extremely happy to have these young ladies join the Hawkeye family,” said Grant. “We are excited to see what they can do as members of the Hawkeye track and field program.”
The Iowa women’s track and field team opens up their season December 10th with an intrasquad meet.