Colorado State University Athletics
Cross Country/Track & Field Sign Six
11/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Nov. 8, 2006
Colorado State cross country coach Bryan Berryhill and track & field coach Brian Bedard have today announced the signing of four athletes to National Letters of Intent to compete for the Rams.
Jakob Keyser (Distance/Cross Country, Central Point, Ore./Crater HS)
Jakob Keyser won the Oregon Class 5A state cross country championship last weekend, the first in school history, which helped leads the team to its first team title. Crater High School also produced Rams' coach Bryan Berryhill. Keyser had the state's best 5,000-meter time for all classifications.
"Jake is a tremendous athlete as well as a great student and person," said Berryhill. "Jake has all of the tools to be a great collegiate runner here at CSU and we are thrilled to be adding someone of his ability and character to the Ram family."
Ian Lettow (Throws, Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian HS)
Ian won the state championship in both the shot put and discus. He also finished sixth at the Junior Olympics in the shot put and seventh in discus and is a member of the football team that is currently in the playoffs. Lettow was also named to the All Colorado First Team in track & field as well as being the field event athlete of the year after breaking the 3A state record with a throw of 58-4.5 at the state championship.
"Ian is the kind of young man that has the size and the horsepower to come in and make an immediate impact on the Colorado State program," said Bedard. "He comes from a long line of throwers and has good character and good work ethic, the kind of athlete we like here at Colorado State."
Ellen Rastall (Distance/Cross Country, Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain HS)
Ellie Rastall won the Class 5A state cross country championship two weekends ago, helping the Lobos to a second-place team finish. She won the meet by over five seconds, after finishing third at the regional meet.
"Ellie is the kind of athlete and person that any coach would want to have on their team," stated Berryhill. "Ellie has what it takes to be a great collegiate runner and I feel blessed to be able to coach her during her collegiate career and have her a part of the Ram family."
Hilary Fraser (Throws, Lake Forrest, Calif./El Toro HS)
Hilary Fraser, a Lake Forrest, Calif., native, placed sixth in the state in the discus at El Toro High School. She was second in the discus and seventh in the shot put in the Masters Meet and third in shot and fourth in the discus in the CIF finals. She was selected as a two-time team MVP and as her school's athlete of the year.
"We're very excited to have Hilary join our team," commented Bedard. "She will be a welcome addition to our throwers in the years to come. We're looking for great things from her at Colorado State."
Alexandra Darling (Multis/Hurdles, Albquerque, N.M./La Cueva H.S.)
Alexandra scored 21 points at the 2005 New Mexico State Championship, winning the 100 meter hurdles and placing second in both the 300 meter hurdles and the long jump as a junior. She is a former level-10 gymnast, who didn't start competing in track & field until the ninth grade.
"I am absolutely thrilled that Alex will be running for the Rams next fall," said multi-events coach Lindsey Malone. "She is persistent, dedicated and has an excellent attitude. Alex is a multi talented athlete who will help us in the heptathlon and the 400mh. Her passion for track and field is outstanding."
Bobby Potrykus (Middle Distance, Conifer, Colo./Conifer H.S.)
Potrykus is the class 4A state record holder in the 800 meters at 1:52.71 and won the 2006 state championship in that event as well running for Conifer High School. He also competes in soccer for Conifer, which lost in the round of 16 in this season's playoffs.
"Bobby is a tremendous athlete and person," said Berryhill. "He is the kind of athlete that will help us immediately in the middle distance area. We are very excited to add someone of Bobby's level to our program."