JONESBORO, Ark. (4/21/16) – The Arkansas State University track and field program has signed seven talented student-athletes in the spring signing period. These seven commits will join the A-State track and field program in the 2016-17 academic school year.
The Red wolves welcome pole vaulter Emily Mallet, distance runner Elizabeth Gillette, distance runner Sammy Brainard, distance runner JeLynn Tatum, sprinter/jumper Abrabriaun Mack, sprinter K'Den Johnson and sprinter Chris Hill.
“We have added several quality signees in our spring signing to go with our November signees,” said A-State head coach Jim Patchell. “We have had a great recruiting class this year and our team and staff are looking forward to working with this group.”
Below is a breakdown of the newest additions to the Arkansas State track and field program.
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Name
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Events
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Hometown
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High School
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Spring Signees
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Emily Mallet
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Pole Vault
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San Antonio, Texas
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Brandeis HS
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Elizabeth Gillette
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Distance
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Texarkana, Ark.
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Trinity Christian
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Sammy Brainard
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Distance
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Collierville, Tenn.
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Collierville HS
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JeLynn Tatum
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Distance
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Carl Junction, Mo.
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Carl Junction HS
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Arabriaun Mack
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Sprints/Jumps
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Searcy, Ark.
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Searcy HS
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K'den Johnson
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Sprints
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College Park, Ga.
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Banneker HS
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Chris Hill
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Sprints
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Garland, Texas
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Sachse HS
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|
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Fall Signees
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|
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Lauren Smith
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Pole Vault
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Fredericksburg, Texas
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Fredericksburg HS
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Lucianne Burner
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Pole Vault
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Pocono, Pa.
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North Pocono HS
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Sarah Michael
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Pole Vault
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Sheridan, Ark.
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Sheridan HS
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Grace Flowers
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Throws
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Tulsa, Okla.
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Union HS
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Danielle Lorenz
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Throws
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Dardanelle, Ark.
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Dardanelle HS
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Briana Hardiman
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Sprints/Jumps
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Magnolia, Ark.
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Magnolia HS
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Andre Burrell
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Sprints
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Gresham Park, Ga.
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Cedar Grove HS
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EMILY MALLET | BRANDEIS HS
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Personal Bests: Pole Vault – 12'2”
Mallet set a personal best with a vault of 12-2 at the Texas Relays. She also placed third in the pole vault at the Alamo Relays with a 10-6. She placed second in the Northside 8 Invitational with a vault of 11-6. Placed first at the Northside 8 No. 2 with a score of 11-6.
ELIZABETH GILLETTE | TRINITY CHRISTIAN
Hometown: Texarkana, Ark.
Personal Bests: 800m – 2:30.18, 1600m – 5:21.55, 3200m – 11:18.71, 5k – 18:49.84
Gillette has competed in three half marathons. Placed second in the 1600m with a time of 5:22.20 at the Arkansas State Indoor Championships. Placed third in the 3000m with a time of 10:49.62 at the Arkansas HS Indoor Invitational. Placed first in the 3200m with a time of 11:30.71 in the Arkansas State Indoor Championships.
SAMMY BRAINARD | COLLIERVILLE HS
Hometown: Collierville, Tenn.
Personal Bests: 400m – 1:00.83, 800m – 2:20.10, 1600m – 5:17.32, Mile – 5:22.47, 2K Steeple – 8:08.32, 3200m – 11:44.81, 5K – 18:45.70
Brainard placed first in the 800m with a time of 2:20.10 at the Houston Track Classic. Placed first in the 1600m with a time of 5:26.53 at the Collierville Dragon Relays. Placed first in the 3200m with a time of 12:01.17 at the Collierville Dragon Relays.
JeLYNN TATUM | CARL JUNCTION HS
Hometown: Carl Junction, Mo.
Personal Bests: 800m – 2:21.74, 1500m – 5:07.02, 3000m – 11:36.62, 3200m – 12:03.20, 5K – 19:10.64
Tatum finished 23rd in the state cross country meet. She placed second in the 800m with a time of 2:30.21 at the Nixa Invitational. Finished second in the 1600m with a time 5:28.00 in the Nixa Invitational. Placed 3rd in the 3200m with a time of 12:08.45 in the Nixa Invitational. Helped team finish second in the 4x400m relay with a time of 4:18.26 in the Nixa Invitational. Earned a first place finish with her team in the 4x800m relay with a time of 10:05.92 in the Nixa Invitational.
ARABIAUN MACK | SEARCY HS
Hometown: Searcy, Ark.
Personal Bests: 100m – 12.67, Long Jump – 18'7”
Mack was the top finisher in the 100m with a time of 13.06 at the Vilonia track meet. He also earned top marks in the long jump with a distance of 17' 9” at the Heber Springs meet. Mack is also a two-time long jump state champion.
K'DEN JOHNSON | BANNEKER HS
Hometown: College Park, Ga.
Personal Bests: 200m – 22.37, 300m – 36.23, 400m – 48.69
Johnson qualified for the 2015 WYC in the 400m with his time of 49.87. He was fifth at the Fulton County Championships running the 400m in 49.99 seconds.
CHRIS HILL | SACHSE HS
Hometown: Garland, Texas
Personal Bests: 100m – 10.63, 200m – 21.49
Hill placed second in the 100m at the Mustang Relays, Patriot Relays, and the Wylie Pirate Invitational this season. He also finished second in the 200m at the Raider Relays with a time of 23.32. Hill earned second place in the long jump at the L.A. City Championships with a distance of 21' 6”.
