Five More Recruits Sign with IU Track & Field

Five More Recruits Sign with IU Track & Field

Jul 18, 2012 by FloTrack Staff
Five More Recruits Sign with IU Track & Field
Five More Recruits Sign with IU Track & Field FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2012
Track and Field contact - Kyle Johnson (krj@indiana.edu)

Five More Recruits Sign with IU Track & Field

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana track and field director and head coach Ron Helmer has announced five more signees for his 2012-13 signing class. The group includes two transfers and three freshmen. Highlighting the group is three-time ACC Champion Lance Roller, who is fresh off an NCAA appearance in the 800 meters. The other transfer is Bloomington native Molly Hirt, who transfers to IU from Notre Dame. The three freshmen include two Warren Central Warriors, bringing the total to four for the signing class, in thrower Dyrek Chowning and middle distance runner Brandon Smith. Completing the group of five is Australian Rorey Hunter, who comes to IU fresh off an Australian Junior title in the 800.
 
Indiana has now announced 26 2012-13 signees, with seven women and 19 men signed to be Hoosiers. The group includes five transfers and five high school state champions. Of the 26 signees, 17 competed in the state of Indiana in high school See more on the five new signees below, and to see IUÂ’s entire signing class to date with updated marks and accomplishments, go to http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/signingclass.html.
 
Dyrek Chowning
Indianapolis, Indiana
Warren Central High School, Indianapolis, Indiana
Throws
7th in 2012 State Meet Discus
PR: Discus - 184’ 2”
Coach Helmer: “Dyrek had some break through throws in the discus this year and it is our belief he has the work ethic and commitment to continue progressing quickly once he arrives on campus and has a chance to focus on improvement full time. It will take time but we believe he will be a competitive Big Ten thrower in the future.”

Rorey Hunter
Cairns, Australia
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
St. Andrews Catholic College High School, Cairns, Australia
Middle Distance
2012 Australian Junior Champion in the 800
PRÂ’s: 1500 - 3:51.36, 800 - 1:50.85
 
Coach Helmer:  Â“Rorey comes to us having run some very solid times this past year. He has good speed for a middle distance runner and appears to have the potential for much improvement. Training on a team that includes the NCAA 1500-meter champion will certainly create the opportunity to bring out the best that Rorey has to offer. His addition is a very exciting one for our team.”

Lance Roller
Cortlandt Manor, New York
University of Virginia ‘12
Walter Panas High School, Cortlandt Manor, New York
Middle Distance
2012 ACC 800 Meter Champion while at UVA
2012 ACC 4x400m Relay Champion while at UVA
2010 ACC 800 Meter Champion while at UVA
PRÂ’s: 800 - 1:46.11, High School 800 PR - 1:52.41, 600 - 1:18.50

Coach Helmer:
“Lance is another outstanding athlete who was attracted to IU’s outstanding HPER graduate programs. The big brother of rising sophomore Brie, a member of our women’s team, Lance brings much experience, some outstanding times and the desire to be a big part of our nationally ranked men’s track and field team. The Big Ten boasts some of the best 800 meter runners in the country and we are looking forward to seeing Lance mix it up with them come championship season.”

Brandon Smith
Indianapolis, Indiana
Warren Central High School, Indianapolis, Indiana
Middle Distance
PRÂ’s: Mile - 4:19.71, 800 - 1:54.67, 400 (relay) - 49.4

Coach Helmer:
“Brandon had a very good junior year as a member of some outstanding Warren Central relays. His 2012 campaign started with a bang when he ran 4:19.71 for a full mile in January indicating he was on course to have an outstanding year but injury ended his season prematurely. It will be interesting to see how and where he picks up this fall but we believe Brandon possesses the potential to be a very good Big Ten level athlete.”
 
Molly Hirt
Bloomington, Indiana
University of Notre Dame ‘12
Bloomington North High School, Bloomington, Indiana
Distance
PRÂ’s: 5000 - 17:06.71, 3000 - 9:58.08, High School 3200 PR - 10:56.25, Mile - 5:01.25, High School Mile PR - 5:04.87, 1500 - 4:35.89
 
Coach Helmer: “Molly is a local girl who came back home to spend a year in grad school after graduating from Notre Dame. Our women’s distance program is growing slowly but surely and Molly’s maturity and experience, having spent four years as a member of Notre Dame’s outstanding program, will be a very welcome and needed addition. Molly is committed to getting better and doing the things she needs to do in order to make as big an impact on our team as possible and it is our experience that good things happen when that is the case.”
 
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