Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2016-17 | Hawk Talk Monthly — June 2017
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa track & field team finalized its 2017-18 roster today with four more additions to the team.
Raymund Clarke (Roselle, New Jersey) – University of Houston
400M Split: 45.69
400M: 47.11
400H: 52.16
Accomplishments: Two-time American Conference Indoor Finalist @ 400M, finishing in 2017. Two-time American Conference Outdoor Finalist @ 400H.
Quote from Coach Wakenight: “Ray is an athlete with the potential to change our program. He saw the progress our hurdlers and 400M runners have made throughout their careers and wants to see that same development in his own career. Ray wants to be one of the best in the country and has been so hungry to take the next step in the hurdles. I think he adds a strong mature presence to our already deep hurdle crew. He arrives focused on making Big Ten finals, making it all the way to Eugene, and helping us take over the title as the best 400 hurdle program in the country.”
Karayme Bartley (Lionel Town, Jamaica) – Iowa Central Community College
200M: 20.86
400M: 46.47
Accomplishments: Two-time NJCAA National qualifier @ 400M
Quote from Coach Wakenight: “Karayme is a super talent. He has done some amazing things but he would agree that his potential is still untapped. He came to Iowa because it gives him an opportunity to become an elite 400M runner and he has already shown flashes of becoming a 44 second type athlete. Training with our long sprints group that ran 3:01.91 in the 4 x 400M last year is going to challenge him to be stronger and tougher than he’s ever been. Karayme can make a run at breaking 45.0 this year and I’m going to push him to become the superstar I know he can be.”
Josh Andrews (Clive, Iowa) – Waukee High School
400M: 48.64
800M: 1:54.31
Accomplishments: 2017 Drake Relays Champion @ 800M. 2017 Iowa Class 4A State Champion @ 800M
Quote from Coach Wakenight: “Josh was in a class by himself this year in the state of Iowa. Winning the Drake Relays and the Iowa State Meet makes him the clear cut best 800M runner in our state and someone we needed in our program. He showed tremendous range finishing as state runner-up in the open 400M as well. He has some terrific tools that will make him a very dangerous mid-distance athlete in the Big Ten. Josh is a huge addition to our team and will help us maintain our strong tradition of great Iowa mid-distance runners.
Sommer Sharpe (Pickering, Ontario) – George Mason University
400H: 59.31
Accomplishments: 2017 Atlantic 10 Conference Champion @ 400 hurdles and 4 x 400M Relay
Quote from Coach Woody: “We are very excited to add Sommer to our women’s program. She is a tremendous student and athlete who came to Iowa because of our tradition of success in the 400 hurdles, as well as our commitment to high academic achievement. Sommer is an elite athlete with the ability to score at the Big Ten and NCAA levels. She will be a great asset to our women’s hurdle program, and I am looking forward to working with her this season.”
