May 19, 2008

Four standout performers in the field events and a distance runner are the latest recruits for the McNeese State track and field program.

Coach Brendon Gilroy announced the signees which includes Wiley Collins and Cassandra Wilbur of Ontario, Canada, Meraiah Young of North Vermilion High School, Jared Crafton of Covenant Christian High School in Texas and Jim Marcantel of Pickering High.

"These are outstanding athletes with great potential and each one is expected to make an immediate impact on our team next year," Gilroy said.

Collins is a Canadian junior national record holder in the javelin, Cassandra is a distance runner, Young won the recent Class AAA state javelin championship, Crafton is a top 25 ranked prep shot putter and Marcantel is a hurdler and pole vaulter.

A 6-0, 220 pounder, Crafton was a top performer in the shot put and the discus in Texas this past season, placing second in both events at the state meet. He had a best of 59-8 in the shot and 170 in the discus.

Cowboy assistant coach Erik Whitsitt, who recruited the weight event performers, said of Crafton, "He's going to make an immediate impact in the conference in the shot, discus and the hammer. I think that he will make an easy transition to the 16 pound shot and will have a great opportunity to garner national success over the course of his career."

In Collins, the Cowboys signed up a top ranked javelin thrower who will also participate in the hammer and discus. His best in the javelin was 243-11 while he tossed the 12 pound hammer 198-1 and had a best of 168-11 in the discus.

He is presently ranked among the world's top javelin throwers for his age group.

Said Whitsitt, "He will immediately contend for the top javelin spot in conference and should also score points in the indoor weight and the hammer. I also think that as a freshman he will have an impact on the national level. He comes in with a great work ethic and his goals include contending for a national championship in the javelin as well as making the 2012 Canadian Olympic team."

Young won the girls state Class AAA javelin title recently and holds a career best of 138.

"She will be contending for a top three conference finish in the javein as a freshman," Whitsitt said. "She has a lot of raw talent and should be atop the McNeese record book in the javelin by graduation."

Young is a top ranked student at North Vermilion and has served as class president since her sophomore year.

In Marcantel, the Cowboys are getting an all-around athlete, one who could wind up participating in the multi-events. He was the football team's starting quarterback and participated in the state track and field meet all four of his years.

His prep bests were 13-6 in the pole vault, 14.95 in the 110 meter high hurdles and 40.22 in the 300 meter hurdles.

Wilbur will run distance races from the 1500 meter on.

"She will fit right into our program and will also add depth to our women's cross country program," Gilroy said. "She has the drive and ambition which could lead her to the top in the conference in the distance races in her first year."

Wilbur will come in with personal bests of 4:41 in the 1500 meters, 10:30 in the 3000 meters and 5:08 in the 1500 meter steeplechase.

All of the four will come in as freshmen.

McNeese track and field recruits

Wiley Collins Westminister Secondary School London, Ontario, Canada

Jared Crafton Covenant Christian HS, Dallas, TX Colleyville, TX

Jim Marcantel Pickering HS Pickering, LA

Cassie Wilbur Westminister Secondary School London, Ontario, Canada

Meraiah Young North Vermilion HS Maurice, LA