2009 women`s team seun adigun

SEUN ADIGUN
C-USA CHAMPION
NCAA QUALIFIER
2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
THE COUGAR REDVOLUTION CONTINUES IN 2009 ... HAVE YOU JOINED?
TEAM ROSTER
2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
Name Seun Adigun
Stephanie Aldea
LaNeeka Allen
Laura Allred
Shannan Arnold
Grecia Bolton
Kimberly Brown
Ashley Bryant
Candyce Cross
Kalyn Floyd
Alaysha Ford
Charlissa Foster
Starla Garcia
Ravyn Gray
Erica Hannemann
Whitney Harris
Ciera Johnson
Christie Jones
Kelcee Keenan
Morgan Lancaster
Krystal Lux
Lindsey Marshall
Quin’shundolyn McPherson
Megan Munoz
Dayo Ogunniyi
Clarissa Payton
Felicia Payton
Kiara Pulliam
Tai’shea Reese
Erin Rouse
Nadirah Shakir
Crysta Swayzer
Jasmine Trier
Samantha Villacin
Brittani Williams
Brandi Witte
Event Hurdles, Sprints
Distance
200m, 400m
High Jump
Pole Vault
Sprints
Multi Events
Throws
Mid-Distance
Sprints
Jumps
Throws
Distance
Distance
Distance
Sprints
Distance
Sprints
Distance, Steeplechase
Pole Vault
Sprints, Middle Distance
Distance
Long Jump
Distance
Long Jump
Distance
High Jump
Shot Put
Jumps, Sprints
Throws
Jumps
Middle Distance
Distance
Pole Vault
Heptathlon/Javelin
Distance
Height 5-5
5-8
5-6
5-10.5
5-6
5-6.5
5-10
6-0
5-8
5-5
5-9
5-3
5-1
5-4
5-5
5-4
5-5.5
5-4
5-3
5-4
5-0
5-10
5-4
5-3
5-3
5-11
5-11
5-5
5-7.5
5-7.5
5-3
5-6
5-6
5-4
5-7
5-5
Class SR
FR
SR
SO
SO
FR
SR
JR
SO
SO
JR
SO
FR
SO
JR
FR
FR
SO
SR
SO
JR
SO
JR
FR
SR
FR
FR
SO
FR
FR
FR
GS
SO
FR
JR
Fr
Hometown (High School/Last School)
Chicago, Ill. (Homewood-Flossmor)
Windsor, Ontario, Canada (St. Anne Secondary)
Fort Worth, Texas (Fossil Ridge)
Cpress, Texas (Cy-Fair High School)
Midland, Texas (Midland)
Katy, Texas (Cypress Springs High School)
Waco, Texas (Midway)
Pasadena, Texas (Deer Park)
Missouri City, Texas (Thurgood Marshall)
Houston, Texas (Aleif Hastings)
Bay City, Texas (Uan Uleck High School)
Cameron, Texas (C.H. Yoe)
Pharr, Texas (PSJA North High School)
Dallas, Texas (Desoto High School)
Dayton, Texas (Dayton)
Seguin, Texas (A&M Consolidated)
Baton Rouge, LA. (Redemportorist High School)
Katy, Texas (Cinco Ranch)
Spring, Texas (Klein)
Keller, Texas (Keller)
Angleton, Texas (Angleton High School)
Giddings, Texas (Giddings)
Houston, Texas (Alief Taylor)
Kingwood, Texas (Kingwood High School)
Mandeville, La. (Fontainebleau)
San Antonio, Texas (Judson High School)
San Antonio, Texas (Judson High School)
Louise, Texas (Louise)
Kilgore, Texas (Kilgore High School)
Houston, Texas (Cy Fair High School)
San Antonio, Texas (John Paul Stevens High School)
Houston, Texas (Westbury High School)
Giddings, Texas (Giddings)
College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated)
Houston, Texas (Willowridge)
Richmond, Texas (Brazos High School)
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2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
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3L
Chicago, Ill.
Homewood-Flossmor HS
Hurdles
Indoor: 60H (8.23), 60M (7.56), 55H (7.81)
Outdoor: 100H (13.39)
2008 NCAA Qualifier - 100 Meter Hurdles, 4X100
2008 NCAA Regional Qualifier - 100 Meter Hurdles, 4X100
2008 C-USA Indoor Champion - 60 Meter Hurdles
2008 C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2007 C-USA Indoor Champion- 60 Meter Hurdles
2007 C-USA Outdoor Champion- 100 Meter Hurdles, 4x100
2007 NCAA Regional Qualifier- 100 Meter Hurdles, 4x100
2007 NCAA Qualifier- 4x100
2007 C-USA Commisioner’s Honor Roll
2006 Junior All-American
2008
Indoor: Set a provisional mark in 60m hurdles with a time of 8.40 at Houston Indoor Opener...also finished 1st in 200m...Named C-USA Athlete of the Week following the Houston Indoor Opener...won the 60m
hurdles at Leonard Hilton Memorial...recorded a mark of 8.26 in the 60m hurdles at the Tyson Invitational...
won gold at the C-USA Championships in the 60m hurdles with a meet-record tying mark of 8.28...also
finished fourth in the 200m with a time of 24.34...set a personal record in the 60m hurdles at the Arkansas
Last Chance Meet, posting the second-fastest mark in school history with a time of 8.23. Outdoor: Posted
a 13.62 and second place finish in the 100m hurdles at the UTEP Invitational...posted a season-best mark of
11.94 in the 100m at the Tellez Invitational...recorded a time of 13.52 in the 100m hurdles at the Houston
Invitational...finished second at thte C-USA Championships in the 100m hurdles (13.50) and as a member of
the 4X100m relay team (45.30)...finished fourth at the Midwest Regional with a time of 13.43 in the 100m
hurdles...set a pr in the 100m hurdles at the NCAA Championships with a time of 13.39
2007
Indoor: Won the 60-meter hurdles at the C-USA Indoor Championships with a time of 8.57…finished
sixth in the 60 meters at the Leonard Hilton Memorial…won the 60-meter hurdles at the Leonard Hilton
Memorial…was sixth in the 60 meters at the Dan DeHart Invitational and third in the 60-meter hurdles…
notched a season-best finish of 8.38 in the 60-meter hurdles at the Houston Invitational. Outdoor: Won
the 100-meter hurdles (13.60) and the 4x100 (44.24) at the C-USA Championships…finished sixth in the
100-meter hurdles at the LSU Tiger Classic…was 18th in the 100-meter hurdle prelims and sixth in the
4x100 at the NCAA Midwest Regional.
2006
Indoor: Had an eighth-place finish in the 60 meters at the Leonard Hilton Memorial Meet with a personal
best time of 7.56…finished second in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 7.81 at the Houston Indoor
Opener…was the runner-up at the Iowa State Qualifier with a time of 8.33 in the 60-meter hurdles. Outdoor: Recorded a ninth-place finish in the 100 meters (11.82) at the Conference USA Championships…finished second in the 100-meter hurdles (13.73) at the conference championships…had a personal best
13.59 finish in the 100-meter hurdles at the semifinals of the USA Junior Championships…member of
the 4x100 meter relay team that finished second at the conference championships and third at the NCAA
Midwest Regional Championships.
High School
State runner-up in the 100-meter hurdles and the runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles...posted seasonbest time of 13.82 in the 100-meter hurdles in 2005...had a leg of 55.2 in the 4x400-meter relay...finished
in third place in the 100-meter hurdles and 100 meters for Angelic Flyers TC...was named MVP and team
captain for Homewood-Flossmour...also earned MVP and team captain honors as a junior and senior for the
basketball team...member of Who’s Who In America, National Honor Roll and Sophomore Honor Society...
named Illinois Prairie State Scholar...received “Sophomore Building for Success” award.
MEET THE COUGARS
SR SEUN ADIGUN
Personal
Majoring in kinesiology…born January 3, 1987 in Chicago, Ill…daughter of Siky and Kola Adigun of Chicago, Ill… niece of former UH All-American basketball star Hakeem Olajuwon... also recruited by Illinois,
Middle Tennessee State and Miami (Ohio)...…hobbies include cooking, dancing and singing.
SR LANEEKA ALLEN
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3L
Fort Worth, Texas
Fossil Ridge HS
Mid-Distance
Indoor: 200M (25.78), 400M (56.92)
Outdoor: 200M (25.74), 400M (55.92)
2008 Regional Qualifier - 4X400
2007 C-USA Outdoor Champion- 4x400
2008
Indoor: Second in 400m at Houston Indoor Opener...posted a time of 26.13 in 200m at the Bayou City
Championships...posted a time of 56.99 in 400m at Tyson Invitational. Outdoor: finished fourth at the
Texas Relays as a member of the 4X200 meter relay team...finished fifth at the UTEP Invitational with a
mark of 56.63...notched a 2:18.91 finish at the Tellez Invitational in the 800m...finished ninth at the Brutus
Hamilton in the 800m...was a member of the 4X400 relay team that qualified for the NCAA Championships...recorded a time of 3:42.02 in the 4X400 at the prelims at the NCAAs.
2007
Indoor: Finished fourth in the 400 meters at the Dan DeHart Invitational setting a personal-best time of
56.92…had a season-best time of 25.78 in the 200 meters at the Houston Invitational…member of the
second place 4x400 relay team at the C-USA Indoor Championships. Outdoor: Won the 4x400 and finished
seventh in the 400 meters at the C-USA Championships…was fourth in the 400 meters at the Tom Tellez
Invitational…took seventh in the 400 meters at the LSU Tiger Classic.
2006
Indoor: Had a season-best time of 25.81 in the 200 meters…finished 13th in the 400 meters (57.13) at
the Albuquerque Invitational. Outdoor: Recorded a 12th-place finish in the 200 meters at the TSU Relays...
finished ninth at the Houston Invitational in the 400 meters (58.05)…member of the 4x400 meter relay
team that finished first at the UTSA Relays… finished third at the TSU Relays as a member of the distance
medley relay team.
High School
Had a fourth-place finish in 400 meters at State Championships...posted a season-best time of 55.78 seconds in the 400 meters...competed for Fossil Ridge High School in Keller...was named Outstanding Athlete
on track team...received Texas Scholar award.
Personal
Majoring in nursing...born August 11, 1986 in Dallas, Texas…daughter of Andrette and Trinion Smith of
Fort Worth... also recruited by Texas Tech, Texas A&M, North Texas, New Orleans and TCU.
2009 houston TRACK & FIELD
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MEET THE COUGARS
2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
SO LAURA ALLRED
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1L
Cypress, Texas
Ohio State
Cy-Fair HS
High Jump
Indoor: High Jump (1.68m/5-06.00)
Outdoor: High Jump (1.70m/5-07.00)
2008
Indoor: Took a fifth-place finish in the high jump at the Razorback Invitational...finished tenth in the
high jump at the Houston Indoor Invitational with a season-best mark of 1.68m (5-06.00)...tied her season-best at the C-USA Championships to post a seventh-place finish. Outdoor: finished third in the high
jump at the UTEP Invitational...set a season-best of 1.70m (5-07.00) at the Tellez Invitational...finished
sixth at the Brutus Hamilton with a mark of 1.65m (5-05.00)...also finished sixh with a 1.65m clearance at
the Houston Invitational...took fifth at the C-USA Championships with a 1.65m (5-05.00).
High School
Competed at Cy-Fair High School for coach Greg Hershman...member of four-time District Champion team...
three-time Jumper of the Year...Three-time individual district champion in the high jump...three-time regional qualifier in the high jump...high school record holder in the high jump...was a member of the Cy-Fair
Pals, a peer mentoring program her senior year.
Personal
Majoring in nutrion at the University...daughter of Richard and Jorhetta Allred...born in Anchorage, Alaska
on Oct. 22, 1988...hobbies include cooking and baking...spent one semester at Ohio Sate before transferring to UH...chose UH because it had a good jumping program...also recruited by Ohio State, Michigan,
Nebraska, Baylor and Kansas State.
SO SHANNAN ARNOLD
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1L
Midland, Texas
Midland HS
Pole Vault
Indoor: Pole Vault (3.40m/11-01.75)
Outdoor: Pole Vault (3.40m/11-01.75)
2008 C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2008
Indoor: Finished in third place in the pole vault at the Houston Indoor Opener...took seventh at the Bayou
City Championships with a seeason-best mark of 3.40m (11-01.75)...also finished in seventh at the C-USA
Championships. Outdoor: took seventh at the LSU Tiger Relays, posting a mark of 3.25m (10-08.00) in the
pole vault...cleared a season-best 3.40m (11-01.75) at the Tellez Invitational...scored at the C-USA Championships for the Cougars in the pole vault, tying her season-best mark of 3.40m (11-01.75).
High School
Finished eighth in the pole vault at the 2006 Great Southwest Classic... tied for third at the 2007 5A State
meet with a height of 11-06.00... was the runner-up at the 2007 5A Region I Meet… also captain of the
basketball team… member of the Latin Club and National Honor Society.
Personal
Born Aug. 21, 1989 in Midland, Texas… daughter of Lonnie and Cindy Arnold… chose Houston for the
coaches and atmosphere… also recruited by New Mexico, TCU, Sam Houston State and Kansas State…
hobbies include listening to music and palying basketball… majoring in kinesiology.
SR KIMBERLY BROWN
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Waco, Texas
Baylor
Midway HS
Heptathlon
Indoor: NA
Outdoor: NA
2008
Indoor and Outdoor: Did not compete after transferring from Baylor.
Prior to Houston
Recorded personal bests of 14.21 in the 100m hurdles, 2:26 in the 800 meters and 18-10.50 in the long
jump at Baylor.
High School
Regional qualifier and state qualifier… district champions in 2001-2004… cross country regional qualifier in 2001-2004 and state qualifier in 2003… basketball state semi finalist and district champions…
member of the Student Council… awarded the National Athletic-Academic Award and Top Female
Athlete in the senior class.
Personal
Born Dec. 23, 1985 in Waco, Texas… daughter of Ken and Mary Brown… chose Houston for its academics
and athletic program… also recruited by Baylor, Texas Tech, SFA and Texas State… hobbies include art…
majoring in sports marketing.
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2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
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2L
Pasadena, Texas
Deer Park HS
Throws
SO CANDYCE CROSS
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Indoor: WT (17.02m)
Outdoor: Discus (51.49m) HT (46.61m)
2008 NCAA Regional Qualifier - Discus
2008 C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2007 NCAA Regional Qualifier - Discus
2008
Indoor: Won the weight throw at the Houston Indoor Operner...finished third at the Leonard Hilton Memorial...posted a mark of 16.00m (52-06.00) in the weight throw to take fourth at the Houston Indoor Invitational...won the weight throw at the UH All-Comers meet...finished fifth with a personal record 17.02m (5510.25) in the weight throw at the C-USA Championships. Outdoor: Finished first at the LSU Tiger Relays in
the discus with mark of 48.98m (160-08)...finished fifth in the hammer throw at the UTEP Invitaional with
a mark of 45.39m (148-11)...also finished third in the discus in El Paso...set a regional mark in the discus
with a mark of 49.98m (164-00) at the Tellez Invitational...bettered that with a toss of 50.46m (165-07) at
the Brutus Hamilton meet...took first in the discus with a pr toss of 51.49m (168-11) in the Houston Invitational...posted a top-10 finish at the NCAA Midwest Regional in the discus with a toss of 48.63m (159-06).
2007
Indoor: Recorded a personal best of 15.20m/49-10.50 in the weight throw at the C-USA Indoor Championships to finish 12th…finished eighth in the weight throw at the Leonard Hilton Memorial. Outdoor: Was
the runner-up in the discus and had two sixth-place finishes in the shot put and the hammer throw at the
Tom Tellez Invitational… was eighth in the hammer and sixth in the discus at the Texas Invitational…set
an NCAA Regional Qualifying mark with a win in the discus at the LSU Tiger Classic, also registered a fifthplace finish in the hammer …added a third-place finish in the discus and a 13th-place finish in the hammer
at the LSU Alumni Gold Invitational…notched a sixth-place finish in the discus at the California Collegiate
Challenge…finished fourth in the discus and 16th in the hammer at the C-USA Championships…was 10th
in the discus at the NCAA Midwest Regional.
High School
Named Team MVP in 2003, 2004 and 2005…was Athlete of the Year…also named the MVP of the Deer
Park Track Meet… 2005 State Champion… State Runner-Up in 2003 and 2004…three-time District
Champion and Regional Champion… Volleyball MVP…club volleyball team finished 3rd at the Junior
Olympics…best discus throw was 149.4 feet.
1L
Missouri City, Texas
Thurgood Marshall HS
Sprints
Outdoor: 400M (56.08)
2008 NCAA Qualifier - 4X400 Meter Relay
2008 NCAA Regional Qualifier - 4X400 Meter Relay
High School State Champion- 4x400 Meter Relay
MEET THE COUGARS
JR ASHLEY BRYANT
2008
Outdoor: Finished seventh at the UTEP Invitational in the 400m with a clocking of 57.72...also finished
seventh at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational with a time of 56.08 in the 400m...finished 12th at the
Houston Invitational in the 400m with a time of 56.78...ran as a member of the 4X400m relay team that
qualified for the NCAA Championships...the team posted a time of 3:42.02 in the prelims at the NCAAs.
High School
Finished third in district in the 400 meters… two-time state champion in the 4x400 meter relay... 4x400
meter relay team’s time of 3:40.05 was the third fastest in the nation in 2007... has personal best of 24.54
in the 200 meters… school team finished second in the state last year. .. set a state record as a member of
the 4x400 meter relay team with a time of 3:38.83.
Personal
Born Aug. 2, 1989 in Houston, Texas… daughter of Tyrone and Monique Cross… chose Houston for its
education… also recruited by LSU… father, Tyrone, also ran track in college… major is undecided.
SO KALYN FLOYD
1L
Houston, Texas
Aleif Hastings HS
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Sprints
Indoor: 400M (57.35)
Outdoor: 100M (12.01), 200M (23.62)
400M (56.08)
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Personal
Born December 11, 1987 in Houston, Texas…daughter of Terry and Debbie Bryant…chose Houston for its
track program and its location…hobbies include shopping…also recruited by Ole Miss, Stephen F. Austin,
2008 NCAA Qualifier - 4X100 Meter Relay & 4X400 Meter Relay
2008 NCAA Regional Qualifier - 4X100 Meter Relay & 4X400 Meter Relay
2008
Indoor: Made debut at the Bayou City Championships with a mark of 57.65 in the 400m to finish second.
Outdoor: Posted a 12.01 in the 100m at the LSU Tiger Relays...posted a 12.29 100m at the Texas Relays...
set a regional mark of 54.59 in the 400m at the Tellez Invitational...turned in a time of 12.18 in the 100m
at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational...set a regional mark 23.88 at the Houston Invitational...member of the
4X100 relay team that finished second at C-USA Championships...finished 12th in the 200m with a time of
23.62 at the Midwest Regional...ran in the 4X100 relay that finished sixth at the Midwest Regional with a
mark of 45.00...also member of 4X100 and 4X400 relay teams that competed at the NCAA Championships.
High School
Holds personal bests of 24.34 in the 200 meters, 55.3 in the 400 meters and 11.57 in the 100 meters...
named team MVP three times… also a member of the volleyball team… art award winner.
and Texas-Arlington… majoring in sports administration.
2009 houston TRACK & FIELD
Personal
Born July 19, 1989 in Houston, Texas… daughter of Stanley and Delisa Floyd… chose Houston because
it felt like home… hobbies include eating, talking and doing hair… father, Stanley, was a track star at
Houston and was the 1982 NCAA 100 meter champion and the 1982 NCAA 60 meter runner-up... mother,
Delisa, finished fifth in the 800 meters at the 1988 Olympics and was a nine-time National Champion and
12-time All-American at Tennessee… sister, Ebonie, is a Cougar record holder, Conference USA Champion
and NCAA All-American… major is undecided.
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MEET THE COUGARS
2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
SO CHARLISSA FOSTER
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1L
Cameron, Texas
C.H. Yoe HS
Throws
Indoor: Shot Put (14.22m)
Outdoor: Discus (51.49m) Shot Put (14.22m)
2008 C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
High School State Champion- Shot Put, Discus
2008
Indoor: Finished ninth at the Houston Indoor opener in the shot put...seventh in the weight throw with a
mark of 14.45m (47-00.50) at the Houston Indoor Invitational...also finished fourth in the shot put with a
14.22m (46-08.00)...took fifth in the shot at the Bayou City Championships and fifth at the UH All-Comers
meet...finished 11th at the C-USA Championships in the shot put. Outdoor: Finished third in the shot at
the LSU Tiger Relays with a mark of 13.54m (44-05.25)...finished fifth in the discus with a toss of 43.26m
(141-11) at the UTEP Invitational...also finished fourth in the shot...notched a toss of 13.52m in the shot
put at the Tellez Invitational...finished in the top-10 in the C-USA Championships in the shot put with a
best of 13.27m (43-06.50)...also set a personal best in the discus with a toss of 47.41m (155-06) to finish
fourth.
High School
A three-time district and regional champion in the shot put and discus… state runner-up in both the shot
put and discus in 2006 and was the 2005 state champion in the discus... named a 2007 state champion
in the shot put and discus... recorded personal-best throws of 160-0 in the discus and 45-10.5 in the
shot put... her 160-0 in the discus ranked her top five in the nation and a number-one ranking in Texas in
2007... graduated in the top 5% of her class... named First-Team All-District in volleyball... power lifter
runner-up... named Class President... member of the honor roll
Personal
Born June 18, 1989 in College Station, Texas… daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Foster… chose Houston
for its friendly environment and education… also recruited by North Texas, Baylor, Kentucky, UTEP,
Havard, Texas-San Antonio and Florida… hobbies include working out… twin brother, Charles, plays
football… majoring in biology and pre-med.
JR ERICA HANNEMAN
2L
Dayton, Texas
Dayton HS
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Distance
Indoor: 800M (2:23.10), Mile (5:16.93)
Outdoor: 800M (2:21.75), 1,500M (4:57.37)
3,000M (11:22.62)
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Fall ‘06 Dean’s List
2008
Cross Country: finished 12th at the LSU Tiger Festival with a time of 23:22.1...finished sixt at the Sam
Houston Invitational with a time of 14:34.3...finished 43rd at the C-USA Championships and 85th at
the NCAA South Central Regional. Indoor: Posted a time of 5:30.62 in the mile at the Leonard Hilton
Memorial...posted a 2:23.60 finish in the 800m at the Houston Indoor Invitational...ran a 2:23.35 800m
at the Bayou City Championships...ran a personal best 5:16.93 in the mile at the UH All-Comers...also ran
a 2:23.10 in the 800m at the UH All-Comers...member of the distance medley rellay team that posted the
school’s fourth-fastest time with a 12:04.42 finish.
2007
Cross Country: Ran a 15:41.9 4K in the Baylor Twilight Invitational to open the season...Raced at the
Lori Fitzgerald Invitational, had a time of 22:38.1 and placed 29th...ran a 20:40 5K at the Texas A&M
Invitational placing 64th overall...brought in the back-end for the Cougars at the TAMCC Islander Classic
with a 20:13 5K placing 50th...placed 182nd in the Chili Pepper Festival running a 24:57.1 6K...took 56th
at the Conference USA Championships with a 20:56.4 time...competed at the NCAA South Central Regional
with an overall place of 86th and a 23:52.5 time.
2006
Cross Country: Recorded a 31st-place finish at the Hawaii Big Wave Classic… finished 29th at the Texas
Invitational with a time of 21:45…competed at the OSU Cowboy Jamboree and finished 91st with a time
of 22:27… was 71st at the Conference USA Championships. Indoor: Competed in the 800 meters at the
C-USA Indoor Championships and finished 26th (2:30.18)…recorded a personal best 5:38.26 in the mile
at the Houston Invitational…had a 17th-place finish in the 800 meters at the UH All-Comers Meet. Outdoor: Was fifth in the 3,000 meters at the TSU Relays…added a ninth-place finish in the 1,500 meters at
the LSU Tiger Classic…finished eighth in the 1,500 meters at the John Jacobs Invitational.
High School
Four-time District Champion in cross country…eight-time District Champion in track…cross country State
Qualifier…finished sixth at cross country regionals…varsity member for four years… also played varsity
basketball for four years… Student Council President…member of the National Honor Society.
Personal
Born August 22, 1988 in Pasadena, Texas…daughter of David and Dianne Hannemann…chose Houston
for its academic programs and its location…also recruited by Texas State…majoring in kinesiology.
SO CHRISTIE JONES
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1L
Katy, Texas
Cinco Ranch HS
Sprints
Indoor: 60M (7.56), 200M (25.19)
Outdoor: 100m (12.18)
2008
Indoor: finished sixth in the 60m with a time of 7.66 at the Houston Indoor Opener...finished eighth in
the 60m with a time of 7.65 at the Leonard Hilton Memorial...ran a time of 25.19 in the 200m at the Tyson
Invitational...ran a pr time of 7.56 in the 60m prelims at the C-USA Championships...finished seventh at the
Championships in the 60m on a time of 7.61. Outdoor: ran a time of 12.18 in the 100m at the LSU Tiger
Relays...posted a time of 12.46 in the 100m at the Texas Relays...also ran a leg of the 4X200m relay team
that finished fourth with a time of 1:35.77 at the Texas Relays.
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2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
Personal
Born Oct. 15, 1988 in Houston, Texas… daughter of Neil Jones and Lorna Jones… chose Houston because
of its great track and academic programs… also recruited by TCU, Kansas State and North Texas… majoring in business.
SR KELCEE KEENAN
SO MORGAN LANCASTER
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1L
Keller, Texas
Keller HS
Pole Vault
Indoor: Pole Vault (3.50M/11-05.75)
Outdoor: Pole Vault (3.55M/11-07.75)
3L
Spring, Texas
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Klein HS
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Distance
Indoor: Mile (5:15.39)
Outdoor: 800M (2:28.61), 1,500M
(4:42.50), 3,000M (11:47.85)
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2008
Cross Country: Finished 10th at the Johnny Morriss UH Invitational with a time of 12:39...finished in
17th place at the LSU Tiger Festival to help lead the Cougars to a first place finish...posted a 63rd place
finish at the C-USA Championships. Indoor: Ran a time of 5:26.74 in the mile at the Leonard Hilton...
finished 15th in the mile at the Razorback Invitational...finished eighth in the mile with a pr time of
5:15.39 at the Houston Indoor Invitational...posted a time of 11:09.36 in the 300m at the Bayou City
Championships...posted a time of 2:32.90 in the 800m at the UH All Comers.
2007
Cross Country: Placed 34th at the Baylor Twilight invitational opening the season as the Cougars second
leading women’s runner with a time of 15:29.8 in the 4K...ran a 20:03 5k at the Texas A&M Invitational
taking 53rd place...placed 33rd in the TAMCC Islander Classic running a 19:19 5K...took a 150th place a the
Chili Pepper Festival running a 24:10.9 6K...placed 72nd overall at the Conference USA Championships...
ran a 24:39.7 6K at the NCAA South Central Regionals placing 105th.
2006
Cross Country: Did Not Compete. Indoor: Was ninth in the mile at the Arkansas Invitational…finished
seventh in the mile at the Dan DeHart Invitational…took sixth in the mile at the UH All-Comers Meet.
Outdoor: Finished fourth in the 3,000 meters at the TSU Relays…was eighth in the 800 meters at the
LSU Tiger Classic…added a fourth place finish in the 1,500 meters at the John Jacobs Invitational.
2005
Cross Country: Competed with Oumama Hallal at the Texas A&M Relays and finished sixth…was the
top finisher for Houston at the Texas A&M Invitational…was eighth at the Hawaii Big Wave Classic with a
time of 15:06.8…finished seventh at the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Invitational…recorded a 44th place
finish at the Conference USA Cross Country Championships with a time of 19:12.40. Indoor: Did Not Compete Outdoor: Finished 10th in the 800 meters (2:32.11) and second in the 1,500 meters (4:42.50) at the
Brutus Hamilton Invitational… recorded a ninth place finish at the Conference USA Championships in the
3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 12:21.94…member of the 4x800 meter relay team that finished
seventh at the Texas Relays and the distance medley relay that finished third at the TSU Relays.
2004
Cross Country: Was Houston’s top runner in six meets…best finish was seventh place at the Texas A&MCorpus Christi Islander Splash…finished in eighth place at the Texas A&M Invitational.
High School
Selected MVP for Klein’s cross country team…also received the “Most Athletic”, Coaches and Bearkat
awards in cross country and track and field…had a time of 5:01 in the 1,600 meters at the Nike Indoor
Championships…member of the National Honor Society…listed in Who’s Who Among American High
School Students.
2008
Indoor: Finished third in the pole vault at the Houston Indoor Opener...took fifth at the Leonard Hilton
Memorial with a best of 3.35m (10-11.75)...cleared 3.50m (11-05.75) to finish ninth at the Houston Indoor Invitational...finished sixth at the Bayou City Championships with a clearance of 3.40m (11-01.75)...
took ninth at the C-USA Championships. Outdoor: Took third in the pole vault at the LSU Relays with a
clearance of 3.55m (11-07.75)...took fourth at the UTEP Invitational with a mark of 3.40m (11-01.75)...
also cleared 3.40m at the Tellez Invitational...took third in the B section pole vault at the Brutus Hamilton
meet, tying her personal best mark of 3.55m (11-07.75)...scored at the C-USA Championships with a best
of 3.40m (11-01.75).
MEET THE COUGARS
High School
Finished fifth in the 5A State Meet in 2007 in the 100 meters with a time of 11.98 and finished the 200
meters in 24.36… was the 2007 Region 3 Champion in the 200 meters and the runner-up in the 100
meters… was a two-time state qualifier... holds personal bests of 11.59 in the 100 meters and 24.09 in
the 200 meters... finished fourth at state in 2006... was fifth in the 200 and 100 at state in 2007.
High School
Was the 2007 district champion in the pole vault... recorded a personal best a 12-00.00.
Personal
Born June 29, 1989 in Fort Worth, Texas… daughter of Greg and Dana Lancaster… also recruited by New
Mexico, TCU, Kansas State and Sam Houston State… major is undecided.
SO LINDSEY MARSHALL
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1L
Giddings, Texas
Giddings HS
Distance
Outdoor: 800M (2:21.53)
2008
Cross Country: Finished in 78th place at the LSU Tiger Festival with a clocking of 21:51. Outdoor:
Finished seventh at the UTEP Invitational in the 800m with a personal recrod time of 2:21.53...posted a
clocking of 2:22.22 in the 800m at the Tellez Invitational.
2007
Cross Country: Ran her first race with the Cougars at the Texas A&M Invitational placing 89th overall with
a 24:50 5K time...ran her second race of the season at the TAMCC Islander Classic placing 76th overall with
a 22:42 5K time...raced in the Chili Pepper Festival placing 249th with a 27:16.6 6K time...placed 87th
overall at the Conference USA Championships running a 24:04.4 to finish out the season.
High School
Team track MVP… earned Coach’s Award… was a team captain and also ran cross country.
Personal
Born Jan. 12, 1989 in New Orleans, La… daughter of Laurie Vignaud and Allison Marshall… chose
Houston for its business school program… cousin, Alfrado, played basketball overseas… hobbies include
art and sports… majoring in business.
Personal
Majoring in kinesiology…born on June 10, 1987 in Houston, Texas…daughter of Robert and JoAnn Keenan
of Spring, Texas…signed with Houston after being recruited by Texas, UAB, Texas Tech, Sam Houston State
and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
2009 houston TRACK & FIELD
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2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
MEET THE COUGARS
JR QUIN’SHUNDOLYN MCPHERSON
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2L
Houston, Texas
Alief Taylor HS
Jumps, Sprints
Indoor: 200M (24.31), LJ (5.79M), TJ (12.18M)
Outdoor: 200M (23.70), LJ (6.07M),
TJ (12.74M)
2008 NCAA Qualifier - 4X100 Meter Relay & 4X400 Meter Relay
2008 NCAA Regional Qualifier - Long Jump, 4X100 Meter Relay & 4X400 Meter Relay
2007 C-USA Indoor Freshman of the Year
2007 C-USA Outdoor Champion- 4x100, 4x400
2007 NCAA Regional Qualifier- 200, 4x100, Triple Jump
2007 NCAA Qualifier- 4x100 Meter Relay
2007 Junior All-American
2008
Indoor: Finished second in the long jump at the Houston Indoor Opener...took second at the Leonard
Hilton Memorial with a mark of 11.81m (38-09) in the triple jump...finished 11th at the Razorback Invitational in the triple jump...finished with a time of 24.46 in the 200m at the Tyson Invitational...tinished in
the top 10 in the long jump with a mark of 5.53m (18-01.75) at the C-USA Championships...also finished
2nd in the 200m with a personal best time of 24.31. Outdoor: Set a pr and a regional mark in the long
jump with a mark of 6.07m (19-11.00) at the LSU Tiger Relays...member of the 4X200m relay team that
finished fourth at the Texas Relays...ran a pr and regional qualifying time of 23.70 in the 200m at the Tellez
Invitational...finished in the top 10 at the Brutus Hamilton meet in the long jump with a long of 5.64m...
finished fourth at the C-USA Championships in the long jump with a mark of 5.94m (19-06.00)...also
finished 2nd running on the 4X100m relay team...cleared 5.71m (18-09.00) at the Midwest Regional in
the long jump...competed on the 4X100 and 4X400 relay teams at the NCAA Championships.
2007
Indoor: Finished fourth at the C-USA Indoor Championships in the long jump…added a fifth-place finish
in the triple jump at the conference championships…finished sixth in the 200 meters at the C-USA Indoor
Championships. Outdoor: Won the 4x100 finished seventh in the 200 meters, seventh in the triple jump
and 11th in the long jump at the C-USA Championships…won the triple jump (11.79m/38-08.25) at
the Tom Tellez Invitational…finished third in the triple jump at the LSU Tiger Classic…runner-up in the
triple jump at the LSU Alumni Gold Invitational…was fifth in the long jump and sixth in the 200 meters
at the Cal Collegiate Challenge…finished 16th in the 200 meter prelims, sixth in the 4x100 and 23rd in
the triple jump at the NCAA Midwest Regional…was sixth in both the long jump and triple jump at the
USATF Outdoor Championships.
High School
Named Athlete of the Year at Alief Taylor...also a member of the junior varsity basketball team...member
of the summer track team Track Houston...recorded personal best times in the triple jump (40”3’), long
jump (19”8’) and 400 meters (55.00).
Personal
Born July 30, 1988 in Houston, Texas...daughter of Constance McPherson...hobbies include running track,
playing basketball, watching movies and eating...also recruited by Miami and Texas A&M...chose Houston
because it was close to her mom and she always wanted to come here.
56
SR DAYO OGUNNIYI
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3L
Mandeville, La.
Tulane
Fontainebleau HS
Jumps, Sprints
Indoor: LJ (5.88m/19-03.50)
Outdoor: LJ (6.17M/20-03.00), 100M (11.95)
2008 NCAA Regional Qualifier- Long Jump & 4X100 Meter Relay
2007 NCAA Regional Qualifier- Long Jump, Triple Jump
2008
Indoor: Finished ninth in the 60m with a time of 7.77 at the Houston Indoor Opener...won the long jump
competition at the Leonard Hilton Memorial...also took fourth in the long jump with a mark of 5.82m
(19-01.25)...posted a mark of 7.76 in the 60m at the Bayou City Championships...finished sixth in the
long jump with a leap of 5.73m at the C-USA Championships. Outdoor: Set a regional qualifying mark
of 6.17m (20-03.00) in the long jump to finish first at the LSU Tiger Relays...also posted a mark of 12.10
in the 100m...recorded a long of 5.68m (18-07.75) at the Texas Relays in the long jump...finished sixth in
the 100m with a clocking of 12.08 at the UTEP Invitational...recorded a mark of 11.95 in the 100m at the
Tellez Invitational...finished seventh in the long jump at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational...also finished
fifth in the 100m...finished seventh at the C-USA Championships in the long jump with a mark of 5.79m
(19-00.00)...also ran as a memeber of 4X100m relay team that finished second...posted a leap of 5.77m
(18-11.25) at the NCAA Midwest Regional...also finished sixth at the Regional in the 4X100m with a time
of 45.00.
2007
Indoor: Finished second in the long jump at the Leonard Hilton Memorial with a jump of 5.87m/1903.25…notched a fourth-place finish in the long jump at the Dan DeHart Invitational and set a
season-best jump of 5.88m/19-03.50 to finish fourth in the long jump...was third in the long jump at the
Conference USA Indoor Championships. Outdoor: Finished third at the Tom Tellez Invitational in the long
jump…was second in the long jump at the Texas Invitational…notched a fourth-place finish in the long
jump at the LSU Tiger Classic…took ninth in the long jump at the LSU Alumni Gold Invitational…earned
a fourth place finish in the long jump at the Cal Collegiate Challenge…finished third in the long jump
and seventh in the 100 meters at the C-USA Championships…was 13th in the long jump at the NCAA
Midwest Regional with a jump of 5.78m/18-11.75.
2006
Walked on to the team in the spring of 2006. Indoor: Finished 15th in the long jump at the Conference USA
Indoor Championships. Outdoor: Was second in the long jump at the Houston Invitaitonal with a jump of
5.92 meters (19-6.25)…recorded a 20th place finish in the long jump at the Conference USA Championships.
High School
Three-time state qualifier...finished first at the 2004 5A State Championships in the long jump...finished
third at state in the long jump at state in 2003 and 2005.
Personal
Born December 30, 1986 in Warri, Nigeria…daughter of Victor and Ola Ogunniyi...also recruited by the
UL-Monroe… majoring in architecture.
uhcougars.com
2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
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Louise, Texas
Louise HS
Throws
SO JASMINE TRIER
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2008
Indoor: Finished second in the weight throw at the Houston Indoor Opener...also took second in the shot
put...finished third in the shot with a long of 14.05m (46-01.25) at the Leonard Hilton Memorial...also
took sixth in the weight throw...finished fifth in the shot at the Razorback Invitational...took fifth with a
long of 14.14m in the shot at the Houston Indoor Invitational...took third with a pr mark of 14.95m (4900.75) at the UH All-Comers meet...recorded a season-long mark of 16.03m in the weight throw ...finished
seventh at the C-USA Championships. Outdoor: Took second in the shot put at the LSU Tiger Relays...also
posted a mark of 41.02m (134-07) in the hammer throw...finished eighth in the hammer with a toss of
41.38m (135-09) at the UTEP Invitational...took second in the shot put at the Brutus Hamilton meet...also
finished second in the shot put at the Houston Invitational with a pr 14.48m (47-06.25)...finished seventh
in the shot at the C-USA Championships with a mark of 13.82m (45-04.25)...posted a toss of 13.78m (4502.50) at the NCAA Midwest Regional.
High School
Is a 1A State Champion in the shot put and holds a personal record of 44-11.50... broke the Class 1A record
in the shot put with a throw of 44-02.00 to finish as the 2007 State Champion... holds a personal record
of 44-11.50 in the shot put... named MVP in track and basketball... First Team All-District in basketball...
2007 and 2006 state champion in the shot put... four-time powerlifting champion
Personal
Born July 28, 1989 in Harbor City, California… daughter of Karen and Daryl Pulliam… chose Houston
for its campus and the people… also recruited by Oklahoma State and New Mexico… hobbies include
playing piano, listening to music, and sleeping… major is undecided.
Giddings, Texas
Giddings HS
Distance
Indoor: Mile (5:45.98)
Outdoor: 800M (2:37.54), 1500M (5:07.82), Steeple Chase (12:32.02)
Indoor: Shot (14.95M), WT (16.03M)
Outdoor: Shot (14.48M), HT (41.38M)
2008 NCAA Regional Qualifier - Shot Put
High School State Champion- Shot Put
1L
2008
Cross Country: Finished in 12th place at the Johnny Morriss UH Invitational to help the Cougars to a
first place finish...finished in 27th place at the UTSA Ricardo Romo Invitational to help Houston to its
second-straight first place finish...finished in 68th place at the C-USA Championships with a time of
21:02. Indoor: Finished 12th in the mile at the Houston Indoor Opener...turned in a time of 5:47.83 in
the mile at the Leonard Hilton Memorial...finished with a pr time of 5:45.98 in the mile at the Bayou City
Championships. Outdoor: Posted a time of 2:37.54 in the 800m at the Tellez Invitational...also recorded a
time of 5:07.82 in the 1500m at the meet...won the 3,000m steeple chase at the Houston Invitational with
a time of 12:32.02.
MEET THE COUGARS
SO KIARA PULLIAM
2007
Cross Country: Ran a 4K at the Baylor Twilight Invitational season opener with a time of 16:30.1...placed
31st (23:24.3) in the Lori Fitzgerald Invitational...ran a 21:51 5K at the Texas A&M Invitational placing 78th
overall...placed 55th at the TAMCC Islander Classic running a 20:30 5K race...competed at the Chili Pepper
Festival placing 205th overall with a 25:33.8 time...ran a 22:29.5 5K at the Conference USA Championships
to place 83rd overall.
High School
Was a regional and district champion and state medalist… member of the cheerleading squad… graduated in the top 20% of her class.
Personal
Born Sept. 10, 1989 in San Antonio, Texas… daughter of Dr. Ashton and Jill Trier… chose Houston for its
location and track team… also recruited by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi… hobbies include running, spending time with family and friends, and shopping… majoring in kinesiology.
JR BRITTANI WILLIAMS
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2L
Houston, Texas
Willowridge HS
Heptathlon/Javelin
Indoor: Pentathlon (3,462 PTS)
Outdoor: Heptathlon (4,919 PTS),
Javelin (43.24M/141-10)
2008 NCAA Regional Qualfier - Javelin
2008 NCAA Regional Qualifier - Javelin
2008 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2007 Junior All-American
2007 C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal Recipient
Junior Olympics National Champion
Fall ‘06 Dean’s List
2008
Indoor: Posted a mark of 12.24m (40-02) in the shot put at the Leonard Hilton Memorial...also turned in
a best of 5.39m in the long jump...finished fourth in the pentathlon with 3,231 points...recorded a 2:34.50
finish in the 800m at the Bayou City Championships...took fourth at the C-USA Championships in the pentathlon with a pr total of 3,462 points. Outdoor: Finished 11th in the heptathlon, winning three events, at
the Texas Relays with 4,746 points...also posted a long of 42.54m (139-07) in the javelin...finished second
in the javelin with a mark of 44.30m (145-04) at the Tellez Invitational...finished ninth in the javelin at the
Brutus Hamilton Invitational...took fourth at the C-USA Championships in the javelin with a mark of 40.96m
(134-04)...competed in the javelin at the NCAA Midwest Regional, posting a mark of 39.63m (130-00).
2009 houston TRACK & FIELD
57
MEET THE COUGARS
2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
2007
Indoor: Set a season-best jump of 5.49m/18-00.25 in the long jump at the Dan DeHart Invitational…finished sixth in the pentathlon at the Houston Invitational with 3,269 points…took fifth in the high jump
after clearing 1.48m/4-10.25 at the UH All-Comers Meet…was sixth in the pentathlon at the C-USA Indoor
Championships, scoring 3,253 points. Outdoor: Finished second in the javelin, eighth in the long jump and
fourth in the shot put at the Tom Tellez Invitational…won the javelin and was sixth in the shot put at the
Texas Invitational…earned a second-place finish in the javelin at the John Jacobs Invitational…took seventh in the javelin at the Cal Collegiate Challenge…finished third in the heptathlon, fifth in the javelin and
15th in the shot put at the C-USA Championships…finished sixth in the heptathlon at the USATF Outdoor
Championships with 2,726 points... set a season best in the javelin with a throw of 43.24/141-10.
High School
Regional qualifier in the 4x400 meter relay, long jump, triple jump, 300-meter hurdles, and the 4x200
meter relay…named Most Versitle Athlete…also named to the basketball All-District First Team, and Offensive MVP…member of the National Honor Society and Band State Ensemble…won two gold medals at
the 2005 Junior Olympic Nationals in the heptahlon and javelin…member of the Wings Club Track Team...
had a personal best 143.0 throw in the javelin and 4,892 points in the heptathlon.
Personal
Born May 24, 1988 in Houston, Texas…daughter of Arthur and Diane Williams…hobbies include listening
to music, playing the piano and basketball…also recruited by Kansas State, UT-Austin, Vanderbilt and
North Texas…undecided on a major.
FR STEPHANIE ALDEA
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HS
Windosr, Ontario, Canada
St. Anne Secondary School
Distance
2008 NCAA Cross Country Qualifier
2008 C-USA Cross Country Freshman of the Year
2008 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Region Team
2008 All-Conference USA Cross Country Second Team
2008
Cross Country: Became the first female individual to qualify in the program’s history since 1994 (Christy
Bench)…three-time recipient of the C-USA Athlete of the Week Award (Sept. 4, Sept. 30, Oct. 14) …Won
the Johnny Morriss Invitational 3,200-meter race with a time of 11:13, helping the women’s team capture
first in the event…finished third at the Ricardo Romo UTSA Six Flags Fiesta Texas Classic with a time of
18:04 in the 5K race…Won the women’s 6K race with a time of 21:21.70 at the LSU Cross Country Invitational, adding another first-place finish for the women’s team…took second at the Walt Disney World
Cross Country Classic in the 5K with a time of 5:37.40…got her fifth consecutive top-three finish with her
second-place victory at the Sam Houston Invitational with a time of 14:24.20…received the Conference
USA Freshman of the Year award after finishing in 9th-place at the Conference USA Championships in the 5K
with a time of 17:38…finished 19th at the South Central Regional with a time of 21:31.83 in the 6K…she
also honored with U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Region Team…finished
215th at NCAA Men and Women’s Cross Country Championships…finished 13th at the Junior Canadian
Cross Country Championships with a time of 18:57.10.
High School
Graduated from St. Anne Secondary in 2008...coached by Scott Moncur...Finished third at the All Ontario
Championships in the 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter.
Personal
Born on Feb. 1, 1990 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada...full name is Stephanie Samantha Aldea...daughter of
Terry and Jasna Aldea...chose Houston because it has great athletics and a wonderful business program...
also recruited by IPFW and Windsor...hobbies include running...intends to major in business.
FR GRECIA BOLTON
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HS
Katy, Texas
Cypress Springs HS
Sprints
High School State Champion - 100 Meters
High School
Ran track at Cypress Springs High School in Katy, Texas for head coach Ashley Accardo...was a state and
district champion in the 100m in 2007...was a membr of the Panther track and field team that finished as
District Champions in 2007.
Personal
Born on Oct. 2, 1989, in Katy, Texas to parents Zavier and Gregory Bolton...chose to attend the University
of Houston because of the program’s proud tradition, it’s closeness to home and the coaching staff...habbies include shopping, competing and having fun...brother Jarred played football...also recruited by Kansas
State, Texas Tech and SMU.
58
uhcougars.com
2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
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Bay City, Texas
Texas State
Van Uleck HS
Jumps
FR RAVYN GRAY
RS
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Prior to Houston
Competed for the Bobcats in the long jump and triple jump at the Southland Conference Indoor Championships ... placed eighth in the triple jump to score points for Texas State ... had a triple jump mark of 11.47
meters (37-07.75).
High School
Class 2A state champion in the triple jump as well as the Class 2A silver medalist in the long jump ... also
a district and regional champion in both events ... established school records in both the long jump (18-8)
and triple jump (39-9).
Dallas, Texas
Desoto High School
Distance
High School
Graduated from Desoto High School in 2007 and coached by Coach Jones...Texas scholar and won the English Academic Excellence Award.
MEET THE COUGARS
JR ALAYSHA FORD
Personal
Born on Aug. 14, 1989 in Dallas, Texas...full name is Ravyn Mieschel Gray...daughter of Willie Gray and
Jerry Boyd...chose Houston because of its business school...hobbies include shopping and hanging out with
friends and family...major is undecided...worked with handicap as a peer leader and peer mentor.
Personal
Born in Bay City, Texas on October 6, 1987...daughter of Bernard and Teresa Ford...brother D’Korian Ford
also runs track at the University of Houston...goes by the nickname of Laysha...hobbies include shopping,
eating and texting...chose UH because of the coaching staff, the program, the academics and because her
mother graduated from the university...also recruited by Texas State, North Texas, Sam Houston State, Georgia Southern and Texas Tech.
FR STARLA GARCIA
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HS
Pharr, Texas
PSJA North High School
Distance
2008 All C-USA Cross Country Third Team
2008
Cross Country: Finished second in the Johnny Morriss Invitational with a time of 11:55 to help the women
finish in first-place…finished sixth in the 5K at the Ricardo Romo UTSA Six Flags Fiesta Texas Classic with a
time of 19:27…helped the women to a first-place victory with her fifth-place finish in the 6K with a time
of 22:28.44 at the LSU Cross Country Invitational…finished 30th of 353 participants at the Walt Disney
World Cross Country Classic with a time of 18:47.10… won the Sam Houston Invitational with a time of
14:23.80 in the 4K race…finished 21st at the Conference USA Championships receiving All-Conference USA
Third Team honors…finished in the 50 spot at the South Central Regional with a time of 22:40.70 in the
6K race.
FR WHITNEY HARRIS
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HS
College Station, Texas
Texas A&M Consolidated
Sprints
High School State Champion - 200 Meters
High School
Ran track for head coach Wellman at Texas A&M Consolidated in College Station, Texas...ran the 400m, 200m
and 100m...received the Most Valuable Runner Award...also honored with the Most Dedicated Award...
played on the basketball team for two years...also competed for Track Houston coached by Earl Thomas.
Personal
Born on November 6, 1989, in Seguin, Texas....daughter of Cheryl and Johnny Harris...goes by the nickname
of Shey...hobbies include reading...also recruited by TCU, Tulane, Fresno State and Ohio State.
High School
Graduated from PSJA North High School in Pharr, Texas...coached by Yesenia Cuellar and Monica Valle...Fourtime State Finalist in cross country...member of the Region IV Team Champions...2007 All-Region...team
went to four District Team Championships...two-time District Champion in 3,200-meter...District Champion
in 1,600-meter...regional qualifier and state finalist in 3,200-meter...member of NHS, where she served as
a secretary...Junior and Senior class officer...member of UIL Science, Cheerleading, DAP, and Pharr Rotary
Student of the month (Jan.)...was eighth in her class.
Personal
Born on Jan. 2, 1990 in McAllen, Texas...full name is Starla Marie Garcia...daughter of Ed and Odilia Garcia...chose Houston because of its athletic and academic programs...also recruited by HBU, Incarnate Word,
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, UTPA and Texas A&M...hobbies include watching movies, cooking, reading and
painting...nickname is Star...volunteers at Edinburg Regional Hospital as well as San Juan Nursing Home...
intends to major in Biology.
2009 houston TRACK & FIELD
59
MEET THE COUGARS
2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
FR CIERA JOHNSON
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HS
Baton Rouge, LA.
Redemptorist HS
Distance
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2008
Cross Country: Finished 13th at the Johnny Morriss Invitational with a time of 12:56 to help the women
finish first in the 3,200-meter race…finished 36th at the Ricardo Romo UTSA Six Flags Fiesta Texas Classic with a time of 22:36…finished 28th at the LSU Cross Country Invitational…finished 30th at the Sam
Houston Invitational, with a time of 15:49.3 where the women finished first with 18 points.
High School
Graduated from Redemptorist High School in Baton Rouge, La in 2008...participated in basketball, cross
country and track.
Personal
Born on July 19, 1990 in Baton Rouge, La...daughter of Lamonica Antoine and Edmond Donald...hobbies include running, listening to music and hanging out with family...nickname is Cee Cee...major is undecided.
JR KRYSTAL LUX
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TR
Angleton, Texas
Texas Tech
McNeese State
Angleton HS
Sprints, Middle Distance
Prior to Houston
Ran cross country at McNeese State before transferring to Texas Tech were she competed for the track
team.
High School
Ran track at Angleton High School for Coach Cants....reached the Regional finals in the 800m...also raced in
the Junior Olympics in the 800m, 1500m and as a member of 4X800m relay teams...also was a Honor Roll
student and a Merit Scholar...volunteered for Peer Assistant and Leadership (PALs).
Personal
Born August 8, 1987 to Perry Lux Sr. and Valarie Lux ... has five siblings Michael, Perry Jr., Andrew, Kanetta,
Kanena ... enjoys running, gospel singing, reading, learning and going to church ... majoring in geophysics.
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FR MEGAN MUNOZ
HS
Kingwood, Texas
Kingwood HS
Distance
2008
Croos Country: Finished third in the Johnny Morriss Invitational with a time of 12:03 to help the women
finish first in the event…took seventh at the UTSA Ricardo Romo Invitational with a time of 19:28, to help
the women finish first…the women captured their third consecutive first-place victory at the LSU Tiger
Festival, where she took 10th with a time of 23:03.3…took 31st at the Walt Disney World Classic with a
time of 18:48.0…finished 5th in the Sam Houston Invitational to help the women to a fourth first-place
victory on the year…finished 28th at the Conference USA Championships with a time of 18:31…finished
64th at the South Central Regional with a time of 23:05.2.
High School
Graduated from Kingwood High School in 2008 and coached by Coach Burleson.
Personal
Born on June 28, 1990 in Kingwood Texas...full name is Megan Leigh Munoz...daughter of Jetta Walzel and
Gerald Munoz...chose Houston because it was the perfect fit for her...hobbies include running and attending church...brother, Matthew ran cross country at UT and Arkansas...major is undecided.
FR CLARISSA PAYTON
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HS
San Antonio, Texas
Judson HS
Distance
High School
Graduated from Judson High School in 2008...coached by Renee Gerbich...Team Captain (2007-07)...won
the Senior Athlete Award...had the highest GPA on the team...All-State Academic Team...also played volleyball and basketball...member of NHS, Science National Honor Society, FCA and Z-Club.
Personal
Born on July 28, 1990 in San Antonio, Texas...full name is Clarissa Chantel Payton...daughter of Michelle and
Demetrius Payton...chose Houston because of its track program...also recruited by Texas State, North Texas,
Louisiana-Monroe and Oklahoma State...hobbies include reading...nickname is Ce Ce...intends to major in
sociology...sister Felicia also competes on the track & field team for the University of Houston.
uhcougars.com
2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
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HS
San Antonio, Texas
Judson HS
High Jump
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Personal
Born in San Antonio, Texas on July 28, 1990 to parents Michelle and Demetrius Payton...twin sister Clarissa
also competes on the track & field team at the University of Houston...Fee Fee is her nickname...hobbies
include listening to music and watching movies...also recruited by Hardin Simmons University.
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HS
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High School
Competed at Judson High School for head coach Renee Gerbich...member of the Regional Champion team
in 2008...finished fifth in the high jump in the State Championships...also finished seventh as a member of
the 4X400m relay team at the State Championships...a second-team All-District selection in both volleyball
and basketball...scored a 1590 on the SAT.
FR TAI’SHEA REESE
FR ERIN ROUSE
HS
Kilgore, Texas
Kilgore HS
Jumps, Sprints
Houston, Texas
Cy Fair HS
Throws
High School
Competed at Cy-Fair High School for head coach Gregory Hershman in the shot put and hammer throw...
finished second in the district three times...also was a three-time regional finalist...also worked as the
women’s basketball team manager.
Personal
Born on June 28, 1990, in Houston, Texas...daughter of Dianna Forney and Edward Rouse...chose the University of Houston because of its closeness to home and its excellent business program...also recruited by TCU...
hobbies include dancing, singing, poetry and counseling friends and family...has the nickname Suga-Lulu.
FR NADIRAH SHAKIR
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HS
San Antonio, Texas
John Paul Stevens HS
Jumps
High School
Attended Kilgore High School and competed on the track & field team for head coach Kerry Strong...was a
sprinter and long jumper...named Athlete of the Year and Best All-Around student at Kilgore High School...
was team MVP and a first team all-district selection as a member of the school’s basketball team.
High School
Competed for John Paul Stevens High School for coach Hesson...school record holder in the 4X400m, long
jump and triple jump...selected Athlete of the Year...also was captain of the volleyball team and three-time
district champion as a member of the school’s basketball team.
Personal
Born on Nov. 10, 1989, in Good Shephard, Texas...daughter of LaSandra Pee...Tashy is her nickname...hobbies include shopping, eating and watching movies...chose to attend UH because of the program’s proud
tradition.
Personal
Born on Oct. 10, 1989, in San Antonio, Texas...daughter of Omar and Zarinah Shakir...chose to attend the
University of Houston because it was a great school with a great track & field tradition...also recruited by
Chicago State University...nickname is Dee...hobbies include dancing and singing.
2009 houston TRACK & FIELD
MEET THE COUGARS
FR FELICIA PAYTON
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MEET THE COUGARS
2009 WOMEN’S TEAM
SR CRYSTA SWAYZER
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TR
Houston, Texas
Notre Dame
Westbury HS
Middle Distance
FR BRANDI WITTE
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Prior to Houston
Graduated from Notre Dame in 2008...member of the 2007 Outdoor Championship team...two-time letter
winner...All Big East in 2007...member of the Big East Academic All Star Team in 2007.
High School
Graduated from Westbury High School in 2004...four-time state-qualifier...team captain in 2003 and 2004...
member of Spanish Honor Society.
Personal
Born on April 7, 1986 in Houston, Texas...full name is Crysta Dawn Swayzer...daughter of Carolyn and Clausell Stokes...she is attending graduate school while finishing her track career at UH...hobbies include roller
skating...major is Human Resource Development.
HS
Richmond, Texas
Brazos HS
Distance
2008
Cross Country: Finished sixth (12:19) in the Johnny Morriss Invitational to help the women take first for
the event…finished ninth in the UTSA Ricardo Romo Invitational on Sept. 19 with a time of 19:35…took
11th at the LSU Tiger Festival with a time of 23:17 to help the women capture their third-consecutive firstplace victory…finished 38th at the Walt Disney World Classic with a time of 18:56.4…one of five to finish
in the Top 10 (eighth) at the Sam Houston Invitational with a time of 14:38.2…finished 44th at the Conference USA Championships with a time of 19:18….finished 83rd in the NCAA South Central Regional with
a time of 23:14.8.
High School
Graduated from Brazos High School in Wallis, Texas in 2008...coached by Eric Stenssel...Most Valuable Player,
District Champions and Regional Runner-Up...state-qualifier and medalist...also a member of the volleyball
team and golf team, where she was a regional-qualifier.
Personal
Born on Aug. 6, 1990 in Richmond, Texas...full name is Brandi Noel Witte...daughter of Gerry and Melinda
Witte...also recruited by West Texas A&M and SFA...hobbies include hunting, fishing, golf and running...her
uncle, Gary Knesek played football at UH...cousin Erin Litvik played softball at Arkansas and currently plays
at UH-Victoria...major is undecided.
FR SAMANTHA VILLACIN
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HS
College Station, Texas
Texas A&M Consolidated
Pole Vault
High School
Competed at Texas A&M Consolidated in College Station, Texas, for head coach Rodney Wellmann...fouryear letterwinner...named Most Valuable Field Eventer...also ran track in addition to competing in the pole
vault...ran hurdles...member of the National Honors Society and enshrined in the school’s Hall of Fame.
Personal
Born on Feb. 17, 1990, in the Phillipines...daughter of Victoria Binamira...chose to attend the University of
Houston because of the school’s proud athletic tradition...hobbies include shopping...cousin Angela Soriaga
is a basketball player at Dartmouth University...also recruited by Rice and Sam Houston State.
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uhcougars.com