Track & Field, Cross Country Signing Day
Ellie Bachmann
Knoxville, Tenn. | Hardin Valley Academy | Distance
"Ellie has been one of the top middle-distance runners in Tennessee for the last three years. She was an instant fit with our team and adds needed depth to our middle-distance corps. It doesn't hurt that she has been around high-level athletics her entire life. Her mother was an SEC 800m standout and her father played Big 10 football." – assistant coach Will Palmer
- Ranked first in the Volunteer State and 35th nationally in the 2019 indoor 800m with a personal best time of 2:12.96
- Four-time State Champion and named an 11-time All-State
- Named Knox News Sports Awards Finalist
- Capped off high school career with 11 program records
- Coached by Bryan Brown at Hardin Valley Academy
- Personal Records:
- 400m: 58.73
- 800m: 2:12.53
- 1500m: 4:49.20
Kristoni Barnes
Wake Forest, N.C. | Wake Forest Rolesville/North Carolina A&T | Sprints
"Kristoni was able to establish herself as an early enrollee in the women's sprint group. I'm excited to see her continued development and believe she can make a significant impact as she matures in each event." – assistant coach Blaine Wiley
2020 Indoor Season
- First season with the Crimson Tide competed at SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships with a season best time of 11:27.42 in the distance medley relay
- Placed fifth in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:13.45 at the Texas Tech Shootout. She was also a part of the Alabama 4x00-meter relay team that placed seventh with a time of 3:41.48
- Finished in 4th place in the 600-meter run at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic with a time of 1:32.37
North Carolina A&T (2016-2019)
- Program 800m record holder and apart of 4x400m school record team
- 2019 USTFCCA All-America Honors
- Two-time Indoor and Outdoor MEAC Championship 800m runner up
- Two-time Indoor and Outdoor MEAC 4x400m Champion
Amari Brown
Milwaukee, Wis. | Rufus King | Sprints
"We are so excited to have an athlete of Amari's caliber joining our sprint group. Amari is a tough runner with great range and explosive ability. She had a tremendous 2019 season and we expect her to continue to develop when she joins us at Alabama." – assistant coach Blaine Wiley
- Highly regarded sprinter that ranks first in the state of Wisconsin in the indoor 200m and 60m
- Ranked 35th nationally in the 200m indoor with a personal best time of 24.35
- Posted the fastest 55m 2019 indoor time (6.96) in the state of Wisconsin to rank 15th across the nation
- Finished the 2019 outdoor season with a national top-20 time in the 200m (23.40) after posting seven first place finishes in 2019
- Completed the 2019 indoor season undefeated, posting 13 first place finishes
- Coached by Ray Hale at Milwaukee Rufus King
- Personal Records:
- Indoor 55m: 6.95
- Indoor 60m: 7.56
- Indoor 200m: 24.35
- Indoor400m: 57.24
- Outdoor 100m: 11.62
- Outdoor 200m: 23.40
- Outdoor 400m: 58.80
Bianca Carroccio
Plano, Texas | Plano Senior HS | Distance
"Bianca has a rare mix of speed and athleticism. She plays basketball in the winter and has never committed herself full-time to running. Her ceiling is an exciting unknown and she adds another dimension to our middle-distance group." – assistant coach Will Palmer
- Ranked sixth in the state of Texas and posted the school record in the 800m
- Captured three 800m gold medals in the 2019 outdoor season, including the UIL 6A - District 9-10 Area Meet
- Coached by Amy Dehdari at Plano Senior High School
- Personal Records:
- 400m: 56.68
- 800m: 2:11.22
Patricija Cirule
Kekava, Latvia | Rigas Valsts Vacu Gimnazjia | Distance
"Patricija has fantastic range from 400m to 1500m, as well as elite international racing experience. We expect her to make an immediate impact in the SEC and the NCAA. She has big goals for the future, and it will be exciting to walk this journey alongside her." – assistant coach Will Palmer
- Enters the Capstone from Latvia
- Captured first in the 400m at the Baltic U20, with a best time of 55.56
- Placed third in the 800m at the 2018 President Cup 2018 with a PR time of 2:06.37, earning a Master qualification with World Athletics
- Garnered gold at the 2017 Baltic U18 Championship in the 1500m (4:35.70)
- Coached by Leonids Strekalovskis at Arkadija Sport School
- Personal Records:
- 400m: 55.56
- 800m: 2:06.37
- 1500m: 4:31.88
Leah Hanle
Lichtenstein, Germany | University of Mount Olive | Distance
"Leah brings experience and success both in the NCAA and internationally. Not only is she a fantastic runner, she brings an element of maturity and leadership our team will really benefit from." – assistant coach Will Palmer
2020 Indoor Season
- Secured a 9th place finish at the SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships in the 5000m running 16:19.84
- Ranks eighth in the 3000m on the UA Women's All-Time Performance List with her 9:27.38 from the 2020 Husky Classic
- Ranks fourth in the 5000m on the UA Women's All-Time Performance List with her 16:19.84 from the 2020 SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships
- Personal Records:
- 3000m: 9:23.76
- 5000m: 16:02.46
- 10000m: 33:43.95
- Steeple: 9:56.80
Mount Olive (2016-19)
- Three-time NCAA D2 Cross Country All-American, 4x NCAA D2 Southeast Regional Cross Country Champion
- Ten-time Conference Carolinas Champion (3 Cross Country, 5 Indoor T&F, 2 Outdoor T&F)
- NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships: 6x Qualifier, 6x All-American
- NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships: 5x Qualifier, 3x All-American
- Named Conference Carolinas Female Athlete of the Year for 2018-2019
- Coached by Jacqueline Kirby and Matt van Lierop at University of Mount Olive
Nadia Herring
Steilacoom, Wash. | Steilacoom HS | Jumps/Sprints
"Nadia brings a lot of versatility to our team, as she can compete at a very high level in the long jump and contribute points to sprints." – assistant coach Miguel Pate
- Enters Alabama as the No.1 indoor long jumper from the state of Washington
- Finished the indoor season fourth in state in the indoor 60m with a best time of (7.79)
- Ranked within the top-five in the state of Washington in the 2019 outdoor 100m, 200m and long jump and the indoor 55m, 60m and long jump
- Posted No. 2 in the state of Washington in 2019 outdoor long jump with a leap of 19-9.75 Â
- Finished the 2019 outdoor season undefeated in the 200m, posting nine first place finishes
- Leads her home state in the outdoor 100m, highlighted by a personal best of 24.20 at the 2A WCD III Championships (2019)
- Personal Records:
- Indoor 55m: 7.29
- Indoor 60m: 7.74
- Outdoor 100m: 11.68
- Outdoor 200m: 24.20
- Outdoor 400m: 59.79
- Long Jump: 19-9.75
Christal Mosley
Wichita, Kan. | Barton Community College/Wichita Southeast High School | Sprints
"I could not be more excited than to have Christal join our 400m group. She comes from a powerhouse Junior College program and she was the best 400m runner in the NJCAA last year. She knows what it takes to win and will bring that mindset with her. She will continue to improve, and we expect her contribute immediately with her talent and leadership." – assistant coach Blaine Wiley
- Enters the Capstone as a junior transfer from Barton Community College and will be an instant point contributor at UA
- Led Barton to a fourth-place finish at the 2020 NJCAA Indoor Championships with a PR in the 200m (23.86) and a first-place finish in the 400m
- Finished the 2019 outdoor season by placing first in all three 200m dash events highlighted by a personal best of 23.72 at the NJCAA Region IV Outdoor Championship
- Placed second in the indoor 400m at the 2019 NJCAA Indoor Championships with a personal best time of 54.74
- Personal Records:
- Outdoor 200m: 23.72
- Outdoor 400m: 53.96
- Indoor 200m: 23.86
- Indoor 400m: 54.45
Cherisse Murray
Toco, Trinidad and Tobago | John Andalcio and Ismael Lopez Mastrapa/Central Arizona CC | Throws
"We are really excited to welcome Cherisse to our program. Cherisse will primarily throw the shot put for us but will also be able to contribute in the weight throw and the discus. Cherisse was just hitting her stride when the season came to an abrupt end due to the pandemic. She has the capability to be an 18m thrower sooner than later." – assistant coach Derek Yush
2020 Indoor Season
- Instant contributor to the program, earning bronze in shot put with a mark of 16.17m at her first SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships
- Finished second at the Vanderbilt Music City Invite in shot put with a mark of 50-5.25 (15.37m).
- Traveled to the Indiana University Relays and finished fourth in shot put, clearing a mark of 52-9.50 (16.09m)
- Finished first in shot put with a throw of 52-4 (15.95m) at the Samford Invitational
- Finished third in shot put (15.77m) in her Crimson Tide debut at the UAB Blazer Invitational
Prep Highlights
- Two-time NJCAA indoor national champion in the shot put (2018-19)
- Placed first at the 2018 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Championships with a personal best throw of 54-1 (16.49m)
- Sister of former Crimson Tide standout All-American, Portious Warren (2018-19)
- Coached by Jeremy Turtle at Central Arizona Community College
- Personal Records:
- Discus Outdoors: 157-4 (47.98m)
- Shot Put Outdoors: 54-1 (16.49m)
Sophie Spada
Charlotte, N.C. | Charlotte Country Day School | Distance
"Sophie brings the perfect blend of speed and spunk. Her love for the sport and ability over the Mile have consistently improved from year to year. We think that will continue here at the University of Alabama and are thrilled she chose us to guide her through that process." – assistant coach Will Palmer
- Finished the 2020 indoor season ranked No.1 in the 1000m and 800m and No. 2 in the 1600m and mile in the state of North Carolina
- Two-time NCISAA State Champion – Outdoor 2019 1600m, Cross Country 2019
- Posted a personal best time of 4:59.95 in the outdoor 1600m at the 2019 Music City Distance Carnival
- Coached by Matthew Elliot at Charlotte Country Day School
- Personal Records:
- 800m: 2:14.67
- 1000m: 2:56.85
- 1600m: 4:59.95
Diamonasia Taylor
Urbana, Ill. | Urban High School | Jumps
"Diamonasia was able to establish herself as one of the top jumpers across the nation. I'm excited to see her continued development and believe she can make a significant impact at Alabama as she matures in the event." – assistant coach Miguel Pate
- Ranked No. 1 in high jump in Illinois during the 2020 indoor and 2019 outdoor seasons
- Considered a top-10 prospect in high jump, finished the 2019 outdoor season ranked No. 9 across the nation
- Cleared a PR of 5-11 to capture the 2019 Illinois (IHSA) Girls State T&F Championships High Jump title
- Finished runner-up at the 2019 state meet in long jump with a PR leap of 19-0.25w
- Captured 11 victories in high jump during the 2018 outdoor season
- Personal Records:
- High Jump: 5-11
- Long Jump: 19-0.25
Kerri Walsh
Centerville, Ohio | Centerville | Distance
"Kerri brings an exciting mix of talent over the long distances and championship level racing experience. She comes from one of the most successful high school programs in the state of Ohio and will fit right in with our distance group. We can't wait to get started with Kerri." – assistant coach Will Palmer
- Ranked No. 4 in the state of Ohio in the indoor 3200m
- Finished the 2019 outdoor season ranked sixth in the state in the 5000m, highlighted by a top time of 18:15.05 at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor
- Led Centerville to back-to-back team state championships (2016-17) and runner-up (2018)
- Named two-time All-Ohio Athlete (2017-18)
- Coached by Matt Somerlot and David Dobson at Centerville High School
- Personal Records:
- 1600m: 5:10.74
- 3200m: 10:59.10
- 5000m: 18:15.05
Aysia Ward
Lancaster, Texas | Lancaster High School | Jumps/Sprints
"She joins a solid jumps group and has a bright future here at Alabama, we are excited to have Aysia." – assistant coach Miguel Pate
- Ranks fourth in the state of Texas and sixth nationally in long jump
- Finished the 2019 outdoor season ranked No. 7 in the Lonestar state in long jump
- Captured first in the 200m at the 2019 UIL Track and Field Championship with a PR time of 24.09
- Garnered seven top-5 finishes in long jump during the 2019 season
- Coached by Beverly Humphrey and Breana Bell at Lancaster High School
- Personal Records:
- Long Jump: 19-9.25
- Triple Jump: 36-8.75
- 200m: 24.09
Mateo Barreto
Purcellville, Va. | Loudoun Valley | Distance
"Mateo is a tough competitor and has a strong work ethic that will enhance the group dynamic
We look forward to seeing his development through his freshmen year." – head coach Dan Waters
- Earned a top-10 ranking in the state of Virginia in the indoor mile, while coming in at No. 17 in the state and 77th nationally in the indoor 1600m
- Finished the 2019 season with five top-20 finishes in the 5000m, highlighted by a PR (15:30.40) at the Great American Cross Country Festival
- Competed in the 2019 Nike Cross Nationals 5000m event
- Named Boys Third Team XC All-State for Virginia (2019)
- Coached by Joan Hunter and Marc Hunter at Loudoun Valley
- Personal Records:
- Outdoor 800m: 1:56.19
- Indoor 1600m: 4:20.78
- Indoor 3200m: 9:38.50
- Cross Country 5000m: 15:30.40
Nathan Cooper
Dothan, Ala. | Dothan HS | Throws
"Nathan is a great talent coming to us locally from the state of Alabama. He has shown to be one of the very best shot putters in the history of our state. Nathan is a tremendous athlete and I can see him finding a second event in the hammer throw. Nathan comes from a strong football background and I'm really excited about the tenacity and competitiveness he will bring." – assistant coach Derek Yush
- Local Alabama product that holds the No.1 mark in the state in men's indoor weight throw (53-9.75)
- Ranks second in the state and 10th nationally in indoor shot put with an effort of 60-10.5 (17.9m)
- Named five-time All-American and state champion in shot put and discus
- Tabbed USATF National Champion in shot put
- Coached by Jocquette Carroll, Katrina Culbreath and DiShon Benjamin at Dothan High School
- Personal Records:
- Shot Put: 63-4 (19.30m)
- Discus: 159-8 (48.67m)
Harrison Dimick
Birmingham, Ala. | Oak Mountain HS | Throws
"Harrison is one of the most well-rounded throwers I have ever recruited. His primary collegiate event will be the discus, but Harrison has the potential to be a triple threat at the SEC Championships. He brings with him a tenacious work ethic and I can't wait watch him grow in the program." – assistant coach Derek Yush
- Rated as a top-three thrower in the state of Alabama and top-10 nationally in shot put, discus and hammer throw
- Ranked the No. 2 discus and hammer thrower in-state to go along with 18th and 15th nationally
- Finished the 2020 outdoor season with three first place finishes in discuss and a PR in shot put (59-8) and hammer (164-5)
- Went undefeated in discus during the 2019 outdoor season, highlighted by PR toss of 181-3 at AHSAA State Track and Field 4A-7A Finals
- Coached by Betsy Rogers and Rusty Frisch at Oak Mountain High School
- Personal Records:
- Discus: 182-4
- Hammer Throw: 178-7
- Shot Put: 59-8
Josiah Harry
Mobile, Ala. | Mobile Christian | Throws
"Josiah is one of the best throws talents in the nation and will be a two-event threat immediately in his freshman year. Having come off surgery, Josiah has done some really special things athletically that I have never seen before. I'm really looking forward to continuing his development here at Alabama. He has the potential to rewrite the record book here just has he has done in high school." – assistant coach Derek Yush
- One of the top high school throwers in the state of Alabama and best in the nation
- Ranks first in outdoor discuss as state record holder in Alabama and 21st nationally with a mark of 194-3 (59.2m)
- Five-time AHSAA State Champion in shot and discus (2018-19)
- Placed fourth at the 2018 New Balance Nationals Outdoor Discus earning Emerging Elite Champion honors
- Coached by Pete Prescott at Mobile Christian School
- Personal Records:
- Discus: 194-3
- Shot Put: 64-1
Demetrious Jackson
Cleveland, Ohio | Akron/John Adams | Sprints
"Athletes like Demetrius don't come along very often, so we are ecstatic to have him join us. He is an elite talent in the short sprints but also runs tremendous relay legs. He will make an immediate impact at the SEC and NCAA level and we expect him to continue the strong tradition of 200m sprinting at Alabama." – assistant coach Blaine Wiley
At Akron (2019-20)
- Entered the NCAA Championships seeded ninth in the men's 200 meters after registering a school-record time of 20.75 at the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships
- Named the MAC Most Valuable Track Performer of the meet and MAC Freshman of the Year at the MAC Indoor Championships after winning titles in the 60m and 200m, while running on the victorious 4x400 relay squad
- Captured the men's 60-meter title in a time of 6.78, after registering the No. 5 time (6.74) in indoor program history in the preliminary round
- Ran on 4x400 relay that posted the second-fastest indoor MAC Championship time, 3:07.89, since 1996
- Tabbed 2019 MAC Champion (Outdoor 4x100 Relay)
- Earned First-Team All-MAC (Outdoor 4x100 Relay)
- Named Second-Team All-MAC (Outdoor 100 Meters)
Jace Jones
Montevallo, Ala. | Thompson | Distance
"We were excited to add a local talent from a great program. We feel that he will be a vital part of championship level teams in the near future." – head coach Dan Waters
- Local product ranks No. 1 in the state of Alabama and fourth nationally in the 1600m clocking a time of 4:13.89
- Posted top-five times in the cotton state in the indoor 3200m and 800m
- Mile Champion of the 2019 Mobile Challenge of Champions
- Posted seven top-five finishes in the 2018 cross country season, including a victory at the 2018 Shelby County Championship
- Finished his career at Thompson hanging a school record in the cross country 5000m
- Held indoor and outdoor school records in 800m, 1600m, 3200m, one-mile and the 4x800m relay
- Coached by Chris Schmidt at Thompson
- Personal Records:
- Outdoor 800m: 1:56.19
- Indoor 1600m: 4:13.89
- Indoor 3200m: 9:22.73
- Cross Country 5000m: 15:13.28
Matthew Kiprop
Eldoret, Kenya | A.I.C. Kapsang Secondary School | Distance
"We were thrilled to add Matthew to our roster this fall. He is someone we believe can help continue our strong tradition in the men's distance and will also be a valuable member of our cross country program." – head coach Dan Waters
- Related to current Crimson Tide men's distance runner Eliud Kipsang
- Son of John Kosgei, a Kenyan long-distance runner who won the gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Coached by Elijah Samoei
- Personal Records:
- 800: 1:49
- 1500: 3:45
- 3000: 8:23
Jonathan Martin
Hoover, Alabama | Hoover High School | Sprints
"I am thrilled to be able to get a great local talent like Jonathan on board here at Alabama. He enjoyed tremendous success at Hoover and I know he will continue to work hard to be the very best he can be during his time at the Capstone. Jonathan's accomplishments on the track are matched by his involvement and service off the track. He is the total package."Â - assistant Coach Blaine Wiley
- One of top combo sprinters in the State of Alabama, posting top times in the 60m and 400m during the 2020 Indoor Season, as well as running on the State Champion 4x200 and 4x400 relays.
- Claimed the 2020 AHSAA State Championship in the 400m (48.70) in 2020, also finishing second in the 60m (6.96)
- Won the Magic City Invitational 60m Championship with a PR time of 6.93
- Set new Personal Best in the 400m (48.57) to win the Ice Breaker Invitational, a time that would rank 21st nationally for the 2020 Indoor season
- Finished sixth in the 60m and third in the 400m at the 2018 AHSAA Indoor Championships, and second in the 200m at the 2018 AHSAA Outdoor Championships
- Personal Records
- Indoor 60m: 6.93
- Indoor 400m: 48.57
- Outdoor 100m: 10.95
- Outdoor 200m: 21.67
Kieran McKeag
Lakeville, Minn. | Apple Valley HS/ University of Minnesota | Throws
"It's not every day that you have the opportunity to sign the No. 3 ranked thrower in the NCAA. We are incredibly fortunate that Kieran has decided to join the Crimson Tide. It will be very exciting to work with such a talented athlete. Kieran and Bobby Colantonio Jr. will be the top two returners in the NCAA weight throw for 2021 which means great opportunities for the throwers to contribute to the team's success." – assistant coach Derek Yush
At Minnesota (2017-19)
- Three-time All-American in the weight throw
- Ranked No. 3 in the NCAA with a throw of 75-2.75 (22.93m)
- Finished second at the Big Ten Championships with a throw of 72-4.25 (22.05)
- Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
- His winning performance of 72-01 (21.97m) at the Snowshoe Open stands as the second-best performance in program history
Prep Highlights
- 2015 MSHSL Class AA state champion in the shot put
- Added fifth-place performances at the state meet in the discus in 2014, 2015 and 2016
- Graduated as Apple Valley High School's record holder in the shot put
- Recipient of 2016 Apple Valley High School's Triple-A Award
Joshua St. Clair
Arima, Trinidad and Tobago | Queen's Royal College/Meridian Community College | Sprints
"I've been watching Joshua for a long time and am happy to finally have him in our program. He has the range to help us in both the 200m and the 400m plus both relays. He is a big guy that can really cover ground when he gets up and running. I expect big things for him." – assistant coach Blaine Wiley
2020 Indoor Season
- Competed as a part of the 4x400m relay team that finished eighth with a time in 3:12.53 at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships
- Finished top-six in two 400m events during first season with the Crimson Tide, with a best time of 47.48
Prep Highlights
- Finished 10th in the prelims in the 400m at the 2019 NJCAA Indoor Championships
- Placed first in the 300m at the UAB Blazer Invite (34.64), in the 400m at the Samford Bulldog Open (48.10) and in the 200m at the Crimson Tide Invitational (20.91)
- Coached by Chip Gayden at Meridian Community College
Garrett Suhr
Rockville, Md. | Richard Montgomery HS | Distance
"Garrett is one of those student-athletes that brings an eagerness to get better every day." – head coach Dan Waters
- Finished the 2020 indoor season fifth in Maryland and 65th in the nation in 1600m (4:20.17)
- Leads his home state and ranks 97th nationally in the outdoor 1600m highlighted by a personal best time of 4:13.90 at the DMV Meet of Champions
- Ran a 4:17.23 one mile run to rank 107th in the nation at the 2019 New Balance Nationals Outdoor
- Finished first on four occasion in the 800m during the 2019 outdoor season including a personal best at the DMV Meet of the Elite (1:54.35)
- Won New Balance Indoor Freshman Mile in 2017
- Coached by Jonathan Davy Rogers at Richard Montgomery High School
- Personal Records:
- Outdoor 800m: 1:54.35
- Outdoor 1600m: 4:13.90
- Outdoor One Mile: 4:17.23
- Indoor 1500m: 4:03.25
- Indoor 3200m: 9:38.50
- Cross Country 5000m: 15:16.00
Jonas Yadaa
Kapenguria, Kenya | St. Daniel Comboni Kaptabuk Secondary School | Distance
"Jonas has the drive and passion as an athlete and is starting to show some true development and potential to be a high-level distance runner." – head coach Dan Waters
- Highly regarded distance runner from Kapenguria, Kenya
- Coached by Elijah Samoei
- Personal Records:
- 1500: 3:45
- 3000: 8:21
- 5000: 14:39
