GRU Augusta Gains Twelve
Ward deepens staff with six men’s and women’s signees
AUGUSTA, Ga. – With the inaugural season in the books after the 2012-13 campaign, Outdoor Track & Field Head Coach Adam Ward signed 12 student-athletes for the sophomore season, according to a statement from the second year coach Friday afternoon.
After booking 10 competitors for the upcoming cross country season, dual coach Ward focuses on track and field and the need to deepen his roster by adding six women’s and six men’s track and field student-athletes.
“We needed depth and a lot more talent in every event. We tried to attract as many talented, qualified student-athletes as possible,” Ward said. “Starting a new program as we did this past year without any scholarship student-athletes is a challenge, but we accomplished some great things. With these new recruits we will continue our work toward team success and championships."
In their first season competing in the NCAA, the men’s team saw Christian Collier win the long jump at the Peach Belt Conference Championships, Dustin Ross qualify for the NCAA Championships for the 1500m in Pueblo, Colo., and the women’s squad saw Nwanneka “Winnie” Nnaka take second at the PBC Championships for the hammer throw.
With 12 new faces, Ward looks to build a respectable and competitive outdoor track and field staff to thrive in the PBC.
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Signees
Name Previous School Accolades
Candace Bass East Coweta (Sharpsburg, Ga.) 12.62 (100m), 26.49 (200m), 15-5 (long jump)
Angelica Clayton Sumter (Sumter, S.C.) 12.10 (100m), 26.1 (200m)
Ashley Love Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill, Texas) 61.92 (400m), 2:37 (800m) 22-9 (shot put), 97-10 (discus)
Marshea Mercer Screven County (Sylvania, Ga.) 14.0 (100m)
Adanna Thompson Gainesville (Gainesville, Fla.) 12.33 (100m), 26.70 (200m), 18-3 (long jump), 34-0.5 (triple jump)
Paige Way Flagler Palm Coast (Palm Coast, Fla.) 60.62 (400m), 2:20 (800m), 5:29 (1600m), 20:24 (5K)
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Signees
Name Previous School Accolades
Albert Acheapong Mansfield Summit (Mansfield, Texas) 23.94 (200m), 55.20 (400m)
Allen Eckles Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) 22.87 (200m), 50.07 (400m),State champion 4x400 team
Justin Harrison Calhoun (Calhoun, Ga.) 11.65 (100m), 40.63 (300h), 17-8 (long jump), 56.34 (400m)
Alexander Leach Centennial (Roswell, Ga.) 34.7.5 (shot put), 106-0 (discus)
Grant Newman Augusta Christian (Augusta, Ga.) 16.68 (110h), 58.50 (400h), 21-10 (long jump), 43-7 (triple jump)
Macey Zellner Mary Persons (Forsyth, Ga.) 11.85 (100m), 24.28 (200m), 53.04 (400m), 6-2 (high jump)