Colorado State University Athletics
Rams announce five additions to incoming class
6/5/2017 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Colorado State track and field team and head coach Brian Bedard have announced five athletes set to join the Rams' incoming class for 2017-18.
Of the five incoming athletes, two set to compete for the Rams are multi-event athletes. Transfer heptathlete Talia Marquez (Kansas/Arvada West HS/Arvada, Colo.) joins the Rams with one year of eligibility remaining, while Eric Lundgren (Cheyenne Central HS/Cheyenne, Wyo.) will compete for CSU in the decathlon.
In this summer group of newcomers, the Rams also add sprinter Caleb Hardy (Mountain View HS/Meridian, Idaho), thrower Weston Wright (Scottsdale Prep/Scottsdale, Ariz.) and middle distance transfer athlete Blake Yount (Oklahoma/Smoky Hill HS/Aurora, Colo.).
Hardy becomes the fifth sprinter to join the Rams' incoming class, along with sprinters Jasmine Chesson (Fort Collins HS/Fort Collins, Colo.), Mia Coats (Mountain Range HS/Thornton, Colo.), Jessica Ozoude (Spanish Springs HS/Sparks, Nev.), sprinter Destinee Rocker (Arabia Mountain HS/Lithonia, Ga.) and Marybeth Sant (Oregon/Valor Christian HS/Parker, Colo.). Wright is one of four throwers in this class, along with Adam Dawson (Lutheran HS/Parker, Colo.), Jackson Morris (Albuquerque Academy/Albuquerque, N.M.) and Tarynn Sieg (Eaton HS/Eaton, Colo.).
Yount joins an incoming distance group that includes Jenna Diers (Lincoln Way West HS/New Lenox, Ill.), Hannah Freeman (Fairview HS/Boulder, Colo.), Maximilliano Martinez (Widefield HS/Colorado Springs, Colo.), Devon Peterson (Cherry Creek HS/Greenwood Village, Colo.) and Lily Tomasula Martin (Estes Park HS/Estes Park, Colo.).
Jumpers Isa Bynum (Suitland HS/District Heights, Md.) and Tate Thornton (Rocky Mountain HS/Fort Collins, Colo.), who joined the Rams in the fall, round out this year's incoming class. In all, the Rams have a total of 18 athletes in this year's class. Each are eligible to compete during the upcoming 2017-18 season.
Read below for details on each of the five student-athletes joining the Rams.
Caleb Hardy
Sprints
Meridian, Idaho (Mountain View HS)
- 200 meters PR: 21.66
- 400 meters PR: 48.30
- Finished second in the 200 meters at the 2017 Idaho state championships
- Placed third in the 400 meters at the 2017 Idaho state championships
Sprints and hurdles coach Karim Abdel Wahab on Caleb Hardy:
"Caleb is a special young man - he has the academic and athletic drive we are looking for. He is hungry to be great on the track, and believes strongly in what we are trying to do at Colorado State."
Eric Lundgren
Multi Events
Cheyenne, Wyo. (Cheyenne Central HS)
- 100 meters PR: 11.79
- Discus PR: 161-1
- High Jump PR: 6-6.75
- Shot Put PR: 55-4.75
Head assistant coach Ryan Baily on Eric Lundgren:
"Eric is a well-built athlete that has the character and attitude to be a very good decathlete. He has a wide range of talents, boasting Wyoming's best marks in the high Jump, shot put and discus. We are thrilled he chose the Rams to continue his academic and athletic careers."
Talia Marquez
Multi Events
Arvada, Colo. (Kansas/Arvada West HS)
- 200 meters PR: 25.80
- 800 meters PR: 2:16.57
- 60-meter hurdles PR: 9.06
- 100-meter hurdles PR: 14.95
- High Jump PR: 5-3 (1.63m)
- Javelin PR: 106-6 (32.46m)
- Long Jump PR: 18-9.5 (5.73m)
- Shot Put PR: 35-5.25 (10.80m)
- Heptathlon PR: 4,948 points
- Pentathlon PR: 3,709 points
Head assistant coach Ryan Baily on Talia Marquez:
"Talia is a Colorado girl that graduated with her bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and wants desperately to use all of her remaining eligibility. She will have one year remaining, and she has the fight and determination to reach that next level in her athletic career. I am very thrilled she chose to join our team."
Weston Wright
Throws
Scottsdale, Ariz. (Scottsdale Prep)
- Has won the Arizona state title in the shot put four times
- Owns three Arizona state titles in the discus
- Holds the Division 4 Arizona state record in the discus
Head coach Brian Bedard on Weston Wright:
"Weston is a good addition to the throws recruits we're bringing in this fall. He has a solid technical foundation that we can build from. As with every freshman, he'll need to get used to the college implements. He's a winner and I like that."
Blake Yount
Middle Distance
Aurora, Colo. (Oklahoma/Smoky Hill HS)
- 400 meters PR: 48.97
- 800 meters PR: 1:50.18
- 1,500 meters PR: 3:54.06
- Won the 2015 Colorado 5A state title in the 800 meters with a Colorado high school state-record time of 1:50.59
- 2015 Colorado Gatorade Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year
- Placed fifth in the 800 meters at the 2016 Big 12 Outdoor Championships
Distance coach Art Siemers on Blake Yount:
"We are very excited to add the Colorado high school 800 meters record holder to our roster. Blake will fill a huge need for the Rams in the 800 and his experience in the Big 12 will be a valuable asset."