Dec. 15, 2006
IOWA CITY, IA – The University of Iowa men’s track program has signed its first three student-athletes for the 2007 recruiting class. Head Coach Larry Wieczorek today announced the signing of Matt Banse (Strawberry Point, IA), Chris Barton (Sherman Oaks, CA) and Brandon McSkimming (West Des Moines, IA) to national letters of intent.
Banse, who is the younger brother for former Hawkeye thrower Andy Banse, is a two-time shot put state champion for Starmont High School. His best throw is 60-3. He also placed second in the discus at the state meet and the shot put at the Drake Relays. Andy Banse competed for the Hawkeyes (2002-05) and was team MVP in 2005. He is ranked fourth in the shot put and fifth in the discus on Iowa’s all-time best performers list.
Barton anchored the state champion 400-meter relay and placed third in the 400 meters at the California state meet for Notre Dame High School. His best 400-meter time of 47.70 ranks him third in the state and 23rd in the nation. He will compete in the 400 meters and the 400 and 1,600-meter relays at Iowa.
McSkimming is the top returning 400-meter runner and second-best returning 200-meter runner in Class 4A. He anchored the state champion 1,600-meter relay to a state record-breaking time of 3:13.80 in the prelims. He also ran on the state champion 400-meter relay for Valley High School. He placed third in the 200 and 400 meters at the state meet, and Valley’s 1,600-meter relay ended the 2006 season ranked 10th in the nation. McSkimming’s personal bests are 21.95 in the 200 and 49.40 in the 400 meters. He will compete in the 200 and 400 meters, as well as the 400 and 1,600-meter relays for the Hawkeyes.
“These three recruits will be excellent additions to our roster,” said Wieczorek. “All three have the capability to contribute immediately, and will be the foundation of our 2007 recruiting class. We’re happy to have signed all three and look forward to working with them as students and athletes over the next four to five years.”