High Point University cross country and track & field head coach Mike Esposito has announced additions to the 2022-23 men's and women's rosters. 

Mike Esposito: "It was important to address all event groups because a major focus for us is to be well-rounded as a team. This class not only has some high-end, NCAA-caliber kids, it also has a lot of development kids that we feel will really flourish in our program. With our group of returners and this group of new kids, we have the potential to be the best team we've ever had."

Recruits were asked to answer a few questions ahead of their first year on campus at HPU, including their goals, favorite memories, and how they hope to contribute to "Defend the Team." Othman El Gharissi | Morocco | Distance
What is your favorite track or cross country memory? My favorite race is when I ran the 3000m opening my 2018 season qualifying me to youth games olympics.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year at high point are to adjust, adapt, perform and progress.
 
What do you hope to achieve? Track and cross are always been known as individual sports but for me it's always been a collective one. Being part of team high point is one the greatest blessings I could ever wish for. I want to help my team reach all the expectations, rings, and titles we shall hope and work for.
 
Harrison Waddell | Polk County, N.C. | Throws | 6'2" | 300 lbs 
What made you want to come to High Point? The experience-based learning curriculum was a great selling point for the university and how close the throws team was with each other
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite track memory was winning junior year regionals because that is when I knew I wanted to compete at a higher level.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals for my first year are to be academic focused and work on my techniques to be productive and procrastinate less. I also plan to improve my music theory in the guitar course.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve having a more physically capable body for my sport to accompany my technique
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to bring a driven mindset to push my teammates and help in the small things to make a larger impact.
 
Jackson Tuomey | Frederick, MD| Brunswick (St. Francis) | Pole Vault | 6'0" | 170 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? I wanted to come to High Point for the opportunity to perform at my highest level possible. With the coaching, equipment, and technology, I believed this would be the best place for me to flourish as an athlete at the D1 level.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My best track memory was when I broke my school record junior year at 14'9", previously set at 14'1". A moment of pure bliss and disbelief. A feeling that every athlete works for time and time again and it feels just as good every time.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? Work as hard as possible, make new friends, get better every day.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve greater heights and strengths within my athletic event, pole vault.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by making new relationships with those on my team and supporting everyone to reach their specific goals.
 
Nick Lourenco | Bayshore, N.Y. | Saint Anthony's | Pole Vault | 6'1" | 185 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? The school was amazing and I had a great opportunity to continue track and field as well. 
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? The best memory from high school track and field would definitely have to be breaking the Loucks games meet record in the pole vault which was held by the former school record holder from my school. 
 
What are your goals in your first year at HPU? My first year goals are to improve in track, do well in school and to have a fun first year. 
 
What do you hope to achieve?  I hope to meet new people and to make everyone around me proud. 
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to be a positive person, and to always be there for everyone. 
 
Lawson Kilpatrick | Santa Rosa Beach, FL | South Walton | 6'0" | 160 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? Once stepping foot on campus, I fell in love with this school. Not to mention the amazing facilities, Highpoint has everything I could hope for.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? I would have to say nationals my sophomore year. Myself along with multiple of my teammates placed well at nationals. It was an amazing moment for all of us, to come this far as a group.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? I would like to earn an athletic or academic award by the end of the year.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to become the best version of my self possible. I hope use everything Highpoint has to offer, to be ready for the world.
 
How do you hope to contribute? My goal is to be positive addition to the team. I hope to do my part in helping the team and school succeed.
 
Ethan Roach | West Terre Haute, Ind. | West Vigo (Wake Forest) | Sprints
What made you want to come to High Point? I spent four years watching the development of High Point's sprint culture, and I wanted to be a part of the winning culture.

What is my favorite high school track memory? The meets ran in the middle of the Indiana spring where we had to run the sprints in full sweats.

What are your goals in your first year at HPU? To contribute in every aspect of the team on and off the track.

What do you hope to achieve? A new set of PR's and to end up in Austin come June.

How do you hope to contribute? A different perspective on the training culture as well as a constant motivating figure at practice.
 
Evan Parkerson | Austin, Texas | Lake Travis | Distance | 5'10"
What made you want to come to High Point? The multiple resources High Point University has to offer to their students. 
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? Placing 3rd at my district 3200m final because it was my senior year and a goal I have been working on for a long time. 
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? To get really well connected with my Research Rookies colleagues and be physically and mentally healthy. 
 
What do you hope to achieve? Freshman of the Year in the Big South Conference. 
 
How do you hope to contribute? By being the best leader I can be and help score in the conference meet(s).
 
Klaus Mangeot | Doylestown, PA | Central Bucks West | Distance | 6'0" | 138 lbs
What made you come to High Point?  The amazing atmosphere, the great people I met and the promise toward my future all made High Point feel like home. I left my official visit excited about the many opportunities that would be in front of me.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite moment is from fall 2020 when I qualified for states individually in XC. All season I pushed myself hard knowing with COVID restrictions only a select few would be allowed to race. I felt a great responsibility to represent not only myself, but the team that any other year would have went as well. I learned a lot about myself working toward that goal.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My athletic goals are to always be encouraging and help the team out in any way I can. I want to be relevant on the team and represent HPU the best way I can.
 
Will Ransone | Chester, Md. | Kent Island | Sprints | 5'3" | 125 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? The overall environment between the team, coaching staff, and campus. It's a smaller school with a growing name and growing track and field program. The program is on the rise, and has had great success recently in the Big South, which shows that HPU has what it takes to be a competitive program. Plus, the coaching staff here are really knowledgeable, and I knew they were people I wanted to be coached by to help me reach my goals. There was just about everything I looked for in a school and program here, as it offers a path into what I want to pursue post HPU and sets me up for success for my time while at HPU both on and off the track. 
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? Winning the 4x400m State Title at the 2022 MPSSAA 2A State Championships. This was by far one of the best highlights of my high school career, it was something that I had worked so hard for both in and out of practice to achieve. It was the absolute best way to go out in high school uniform, as not only was my first state title, but became the fastest 4x400m relay in my HS conference history (broke a 40yr record), school history, and more. To become part of history was really the best part of it all, I sealed my legacy at my school, and in my conference, and that was really what mattered to me. It was my last race in my high school uniform, and I was so glad to have represented my school like that, and give them something for everything they had given me. Honestly go out with a state title and many records attached to that single race was the best part of it all, and is something I will always remember. 
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? To contribute as much as possible to a championship winning team on several levels, both individually and through relays. But to also focus on myself as well and hit specific goals in events that I know I am capable of, especially with the training of the coaches at HPU. Running sub 50 seconds in the 400m is a big goal of mine I've been eyeing to do in an open event, and it is something I have my eyes set on for my first year at HPU. I am looking to also learn more from this team here at HPU to help me grow as an athlete and overall person, as I want to dial in on the 400m more than ever and learn new things. With the recent success of HPU in the Big South the past couple years, I also want to be able to contribute to another Big South Championship whether that be through individual points, in a relay, or both. 
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve several things, whether that be new PRs across several sprint events, individual breakthroughs in collegiate races, and even championship titles both individually and as a team over the next 4 years. I honestly want to achieve improvement, and to continue to get faster, more technical, and experienced in this sport. There is a lot I could say about what I want to achieve over the next year and even the next four years, but the core of it is really is at focusing in on individual development and my contribution to the team through several events. HPU has had great success at the Big South Championships, especially outdoors, and that is something I want to continue and help relaunch indoors over my 4 year career. To represent HPU on the biggest stages possible is all apart of it, both at meets throughout the season and in the post season, hopefully beyond conferences at some point during my career at HPU. 
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute through both the individual events and the relay events, specifically the sprint based races. There are several angles I could approach in my contribution to HPU, however, contributing points to championship potentials is a big deal for me no matter what event it is in. I also hope to grow my contribution over my career at High Point helping the team become stronger and stronger, and help lead the team to new successes when I am able to in my career. On top of that I hope to discover new ways to contribute to the team over my career, as I am very aware of the great opportunities High Point and HPU athletics are able to offer.  
 
Alex Ransone | Chester, Md. | Kent Island | Sprints | 5'4" | 130 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? From the minute I stepped on campus for the first time back in 2019 I instantly knew this was where I was supposed to be. Although it was not until my visit that sealed the deal, as I found Coach Pruitt was the exact match of a coach I was looking for, paired with the amazing athletic and academic facilities and environment it all became something that made me feel even more at home. HPU also offered a stelar Exercise Science program, a major factor leading into my decisions.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or XC memory and why? Definitely winning the National Title and becoming National Champions/All Americans in the Sprint Medley back in 2021. For me, after a hard year of coming back from COVID this proved that my relay team along with my self was right back in the swing of things. Additionally, it was my first of many national championship and high caliber races, which was something I had spent years dreaming about.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? For my first year at HPU I hope to be successful on and off the track. I want embrace and take advantage of the training and coaching we have here in order to become the best and fastest version of myself while also maintaining a good GPA inside the classroom.
 
What do you hope to achieve? There's a lot I hope to achieve in my time here at HPU but primarily I hope to secure a spot on the 4x4 and 400 team at conference while providing points to our hopeful team titles in the future. Becoming a conference champion as a team, relay and individual is also something I hope to lay down during my time.
 
How do you hope to contribute? In regards to contributing to team success I aim to help in the scoring of points in order to win our conference title whether that be as a relay teammate or individual. Secondly, I hope to contribute in bringing the team together, as one, so that we can defend this team!
 
Jayden Fliciano | New York, Long Island | IMG Academy | Distance | 6'1" | 160 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? When I first visited HPU right off the start I fell in love with the campus. The environment inside and outside of campus was perfect for what I wanted in my future. 
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? In my final indoor track season of High School, the boys and I were able to be named "All Americans" for our DMR relay. I will never forget the feeling of celebrating New Balance indoor Nationals DMR with these boys. When I started off with the baton on the 1200meter leg, I felt electric. I have never ran so fast and knew it was going to be something special. 
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals this first year is to become the best student athlete I can possibly become. I want to achieve extreme goals on and off the felid. 
 
What do you hope to achieve? I don't need to hope, because I know I will achieve my goals this year. I recently have been injured for a couple months which led to an early season shut down. I am going to come back stronger than where I left off and wiser.
 
How do you hope to contribute? This season I want to build a strong healthy relationship with my teammate's. I want to be able to push my teammates to their limits and support them. I want to contribute more than what I am receiving from this amazing environment. 
 
Owen Williamson | Dallas, Texas | Bishop Lynch | Pole Vault | 6'0" | 173 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? High Point fit everything I was looking for academically. I also believe that Coach Houston is a good fit and will help push me to accomplish my goals.

What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? Winning state, because it was a big accomplishment for me and it was a great way to end my high school career. 

What are your goals for your first year at HPU? I want to learn as much as I can from Coach Houston and my fellow teammates. With an end goal of being able to compete and contribute to the rest of the team.

What do you hope to achieve? I hope to reach new heights and achieve the opportunity of competing at the NCAA track and field d1 national championships.

How do you hope to contribute? I hope to be a good teammate that is open to learning new techniques and skills to become a better vaulter. I also want to be a strong leader by showing up positive and present.
 
David Caivano | San Antonio, Texas | San Antonio Christian | Multi | 5'9" | 160 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? HPU offers a degree a professionalism that is hard to find at any other university. In addition to its incredible track program and beautiful campus, HPU is dedicated to developing their students to make large contributes to today's world.
 
What is your favorite High School Track memory? One of my favorites parts of my time competing in high school track is the people that I got to meet. Especially while competing in decathlons, you get to spend a lot of time with and get to know a lot of different people who all share similar passions and discipline. 
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? I want to begin the journey of fulfilling my full potential as an athlete. I will work hard, communicating with my coaches about how I can continue to get better and better.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve success. I hope to win at some level. But more than anything, I hope to do the very best that I can in every aspect of my sport, with a positive attitude at all times.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to be an encourager to my teammates. I hope to keep the positive and driven attitude in every practice and workout, holding my teammates to a standard of greatness, without complaining or being negative.
 
Alex Constantinou | Medford, N.J. | St. Augustine Prep | High Jump | 6'1" | 170 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? I fell in love with the campus and the opportunity to be on the track team.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite memory was breaking my high school's high jump record, this was something I worked hard to accomplish when I started jumping and I was finally able to do it towards the end of the season.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My freshman year goals are to strive for success both athletically, but also academically. 
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to jump past the two meter barrier my freshman year.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to be a positive influence and I also hope to score points for the team.
 
Michael Connelly | Atlanta, Ga. | Trinity | Hurdles | 6'1" | 150 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? Great track team, great school, my mother Ashley Pendry is alumni.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My first year of track was my junior year. I started off really strong and I was so excited for both conference championships and regionals trying to make it to states. Unfortunately, I got second in conference in the 110h to someone from Randleman High. He also knocked me out of states by .05 seconds. That pain I felt after losing both of those to the same guy fueled me. Here I am now, the next track season. Conference championships, I was ranked 3rd. I finished 1st, setting a new PR, on a concrete track. I also beat the hurdler from Randleman. Not only did I win conference individually and with our whole high school men's team, I knocked him out of states. Just like he did to me last year. It felt amazing, and I gave him nothing but love and respect because without him beating me last year I wouldn't be the hurdler/sprinter I am today. 
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? To qualify for as many track meets I can, help the team out, and be first in my class with perfect grades. 
 
What do you hope to achieve? To carry on my late father's legacy, Danny Connelly. Everything I do is for him and his name. I look at it as "carrying on his legacy". 
How do you hope to contribute? By giving my all in everything I do, never quitting, and help others as much as I can.
 
Cole Murray | Canton, Ohio | Glen Oak | Multi | 6'0" | 160 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? When looking at colleges, I quickly determined that High Point offered a unique environment where the students are equipped with all the tools and resources necessary to be successful. This includes top-notch coaches, professors, and facilities, in addition to their holistic approach to education. 
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was competing at New Balance Nationals with my teammates. Not only were we teammates, but we had been friends for years which made the experience especially meaningful.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My first year goal is to successfully transition from being a sprinter to a multi-event athlete. 
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve and earn respect as a competitive decathlete and supportive teammate. 
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute to the team in two ways. First, I plan to bring the right mindset, focus, and energy to practice on a daily basis to contribute to a championship atmosphere. Also, I hope to score at the conference meet in the decathlon to help the team secure another conference championship. 
 
Jake Fiorillo | Charlotte, N.C. | Corvian Community | Distance
What made you want to come to High Point? I wanted to go to High Point so I could continue running, get a great education, and remain close to family and friends.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite memory is winning the XC state championships senior year. After being runner up in the junior season, it felt really good to finish my high school XC career with a championship.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year at HPU are to contribute to the team the best way I can and get acclimated to college running and discover more potential in me.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to make regionals and nationals but also want to have fun with teammates and win some titles.
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by helping the team win conference as well as qualifying for regionals and nationals.
 
Gabriel Imery | Plano, Texas | Pole Vault | 5'8" | 135 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? New opportunities and personal growth environment.
 
What is your favorite memory from high school Track or Cross Country and why? Favorite track memory was getting 2nd in pole vault at the Indoor Lone Star Conference Championships.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year are to make the biggest impact I can to my team and teammates.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to make it to the national championships.
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to bring a positive energy to the team.
 
Max Robinson | Glenmoore, Penn. | Malvern Prep | Pole Vault
What made you want to come to High Point? The size of HPU was exactly what I was looking for and I was also blown away by the campus. In addition to this, everyone seemed thrilled to be there whenever I visited and I was given the opportunity to compete for the track team. 
 
Favorite High School Track memory and why? Setting the new indoor and outdoor Pole Vault records at my school. This showed how far I had come from when I started and knowing that my name will be in the record book for a while is a great feeling to have. 
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? I want to better myself, both academically and physically. I also want to get to know my teachers, coaches, classmates, and teammates so I can make the most out of my time at HPU. 
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to become stronger and faster on the track and to put up a new PR in the Pole Vault. 
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by showing up each day willing to put in the work with a positive attitude. Not only will this help me but it should help to keep those around me in high spirits too. 
 
Ashton English | Alexandria, Va. | West Potomac | Sprints | 6'1" | 165 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? I wanted to go to High Point because not only do they have a very competitive track program, they also have great academic programs that will help me succeed in anything I do. 
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite track memory is going to VA beach to run in the 4x400 during states in my first year of running track. We placed 5th overall. I also enjoyed going to Nationals in New York during the indoor season too and running both the 4x200 and the 4x400, also my first year in running track. 
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year going into HPU are to drop my 400 time by 2 seconds and to also drop a second in my 200. I also want to run in the post season my first year. 
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve better mental performance as well as physical performance. I also hope to achieve healthy habits for later in life and to get stronger while getting faster. 
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to not only better myself but also better my teammates. Whether my teammates and I are on a relay team or if its simply at practice I hope to motivate and push my teammates to be the best they can be, not only so they succeed but the team as a whole succeeds. 
 
Julian Bennett | Charlotte, N.C. | Corvian Community | Sprints
What made you want to come to High Point? I chose High Point University because I really like the innovative campus along with the newly built sports arena, and one of the top dorms and sports medicine facilities in the country. Not to mention, High Point also has a really welcoming and professional faculty that provides a unique and comfortable place to be.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite high school track memory is running track for the first time ever my senior year, and placing 4th in the A&T state championship with a sub-50 time in the 400.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goal this year at High Point University is just to keep working hard and improving my time. I had a late start beginning track, but I know I am capable of doing many great things and I'm looking forward to seeing what the future brings.
 
What do you hope to achieve? By the end of my first season, I hope to get my times fast enough to make it onto the travel team where I'll be able to run in Indiana, Texas, and at the NC State invitational.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by being flexible between the 100, 200, 400, and relays and being able to run and compete in whatever event that will benefit the team the most.
 
Eric Garguilo | Alpharetta, Ga. | Multi | 6'5" | 178 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? I wanted to come to high point for their business program.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was telling myself I would break my schools 110H school record everyday for a week before our meet and actually doing it the day of the meet.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year a HPU is to work hard and really try to improve on my athletic abilities all while keeping good grades.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve my best times and PRs of my track career.
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute to the team and score points for HPU.
 
Evan Mills | Westminster, Colo. | Jefferson Academy | Distance | 5'10" | 140 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? The opportunity to continue my XC and Track career and become part of this team is what really attracted me to High Point.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite cross country memory was winning a league title with the boys my senior year.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goal for my first year at High Point is to make a solid impact and become an important factor of the team. Essentially I want to make a name for myself.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve whatever goals I may set for myself along the journey. I hope to win and succeed but also to fail and grow from it. I want to prove people wrong and I want to prove myself.
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute as much hard work and work ethic as I can to the team and hopefully also contribute points and placements. I want to inspire the team in my own right.
 
Courtney Yarborough | Knightdale, N.C. | East Wake | Sprints | 6'1" | 160 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? I have a sister that attended HPU and a sister that is currently at HPU, so HPU felt like home ever since I was young.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite Track memory is the long days doing field drills with my jump partner because once we finish I knew we out worked everybody at practice.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to PR every meet by going hard and doing what I need to do everyday on and off the track.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by buying into the system in place and competing my hardest every time. 
 
Reid Holloway | Apex, N.C. | Cary Christian School | Pole Vault | 5'11" | 156 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? What made me want to come to High Point University is the opportunities I will have here to grow as a person and better prepare myself for the real world.
 
What is your favorite high school track or cross country memory and why? My favorite high school track memory would probably be winning states in my senior year while setting a PR and a school record.
 
What are your goals in your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year at HPU are to get myself involved in on-campus activities and shape others to grow as a person.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve 16 feet pole vaulting this year and push myself to be the best athlete and teammate I can be.
 
What do you hope to contribute? For my contribution on the track team, I hope to push my teammates past what they think they can do and shape them into the person they want to be.
 
Joshua Gittelman | South Riding, Virginia | Distance | 6'0" | 150 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? I came to High Point because of the amazing atmosphere. The athletic and academic atmosphere demanded hard work and dedication which fits me perfectly.
 
What is your favorite high school track or cross country memory and why? My favorite running memory from high school was when my team placed 3rd at states during my sophomore cross country season.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals are to improve upon my personal records and help attribute to positive team culture.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve great relationships with other and better myself physically and mentally.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by providing a positive mindset to the team and scoring points for the team!
 
David Bowers | Fayetteville, GA | Starr's Mill | Pole Vault | 5'11" | 140 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? I chose to come to HPU because of the beautiful campus and inspiring professors.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory? My favorite high school track and field memory was winning my region championship with my PR because I did not expect a PR at all.
 
What are your goals for your first season as a Panther? My goals for my first year are to work hard and get good grades.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve a new PR of 15' this year.
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute a positive and constructive attitude that encourages my team to excel.
 
Chase Hendrickson | Northport, N.Y. | Northport | Sprints | 5'9" | 160 lbs
What made you want to come to High Point? I came to High Point because of their emphasis on Life Skills, a trait I personally believe is very beneficial for the real world. 
 
What is your favorite high school track memory? My favorite Track and Field memory is when my teammates and I got to participate in the Penn Relays. 
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? I hope to maintain a good GPA and get faster in the process 
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve a sub 49 second 400 meter and a sub 22 second 200 meter 
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute in a positive way, by having the respect of my teammates and pushing them and myself to get better. 
  Lindsay Cooper | Charlotte, N.C. (East Tennessee State) | Hurdles | 5'7"
What made you want to come to High Point? What made me want to come to High Point was the opportunity to further not only my track career, but also my academic career on a higher level. The athletic program is really, and the education I have the chance to receive is even better. Also the most beautiful campus I have ever been too.
 
What was your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite High school track memory was when I won State in the 300meter hurdles. I set a personal record and was awarded female athlete of the year in my school division.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My first year at HPU my goals on the track are to qualify for regionals and also get stronger in the weight room. My goals in class are to get straight A's. 
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve consistent times and person records, and even break some school records. I also hope to further my hair business with my major.
 
What do you hope to contribute? How I hope to contribute to the team is by showing good sportsmanship, leading by example, and being a supporting teammate. I want to help win the team another Championship!
 
Joanna Poland | Auckland, New Zealand | Avondale College | Distance
What made you want to come to High Point? The coach, the team environment and the athletes on the team were a huge factor in my search for colleges and High Point University ticked all those boxes for me. I also wanted to go to a strong academic school where I could study biology in the hopes of following a medical career in the future- which again, HPU presented itself as the top choice for me.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was being a part of my school's mixed 4x400m relay team at nationals. It was super fun and we managed to win and set a new national record which was pretty awesome!
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year at HPU are to become a better runner in both track and XC while also doing well in my academic courses.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve a new personal best in the 800m and 1500m and I also hope to help contribute to the team in XC. Academically, I hope to achieve good grades. I also hope to make lots of new friends!
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by working hard and training well so that I can help to play a part within my awesome team.
 
Amber Schulz | Orlando, Fla. | Timber Creek | Distance | 5'4"
What made you want to come to High Point? I chose High Point because of how strong and anti-fragile the team was. My goal was to be somewhere that would push me and help me grow into the strongest version of myself. Being with the team and on campus made me feel inspired. High Point felt like home. 
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite high school memory was the Florida Cross Country State Championships. My goal in this race was to defend my state title from the previous year. Although I got 2nd, I will never forget my teammates rushing to me after the race and giving me the biggest hug. They were so happy for me, reminding me of the battles I had overcome, and that one performance didn't define me. The support from my team is something I will never forget. 
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? During my first year at HPU, I want to learn more about who I am and become the best athlete I have ever been. My goal is to become both physically and mentally anti-fragile. I hope to contribute to the team by being a leader and helping my teammates see the greatness in themselves. As I grow at HPU, I want to help my teammates grow with me. 
 
Mikayla Moxley | Frederick, Md. | Linganore | Distance
What made you want to come to High Point? I wanted to come to High Point for a balance between academic excellence and a challenging and competitive athletic program.  
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was winning my first state title my sophomore year. Winning the 800m title made me aware of my potential, proud of what I had accomplished, and eager to secure future state titles.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year at High Point University are to improve my strength training, achieve new personal records and thrive in the classroom as well as on the track.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve a personal record in both the 800m and the 1600m, as I incorporate more technique and strength work into my training. 
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute to my track and field team by being a teammate that supports others and an athlete that coaches can count on.
 
Anjali Mead | Richmond, Virginia | Pole Vault | 5'4"
What made you want to come to High Point? The women's vault squad's success made me want to come to High Point.
 
What is your favorite high school track or cross country memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was breaking my school's pole vault records in ninth grade.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year at High Point are to excel academically and athletically.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to qualify for DI Nationals in pole vault this year.
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to earn points for my team and be a supportive teammate.
 
Marissa Blakely | Concord, N.C. | Central Cabarrus (Western Carolina) | Sprints | 5'6"
What made you want to come to High Point? The beautiful campus and amazing track program!
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite track memory would be Winning the 200 and 400 at the Southern Conference Championships in Spring 2022 and also being named Southern Conference Womens Most Outstanding Athlete and Outstanding Track Performer at the Southern Conference Championships in 2022. Because I said what I was going to do, I trained hard and I made it happen. It taught me to trust myself and that I can do anything I put my mind to!
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? I hope to win a Big South Championship as a Team and also win the 400 and 200 for the conference and qualify for regionals.
 
Grady Moyer | San Diego, Calif. | IMG Academy | Pole Vault
What made you want to come to High Point? The track atmosphere and high academics offered for all students made HPU the best option for my college career.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was jumping my first PR at the first home meet at IMG when I transferred my junior year.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals this year are to continue to excel as an A student in the classroom and to progress as a pole vaulter.
 
What do you hope to achieve? This year I hope to stay consistent in my run in the vault, I hope to progress in heights as I continue to get stronger and develop in my knowledge of pole vault.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to learn from the upperclassmen on the track team to find my place, eventually being a leader on the team.
 
Marietta Valente | Hoboken, N.J. | Notre Dame School of Manhattan | Multi | 5'7"
What made you want to come to High Point? I fell in love as soon as I went to campus and knew it was a great place for me!
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite memory is going to Penn Relays with my team and setting the 4x100 school record.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? I plan make a lot of new friends and learn more about my major!
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to reach my best academically and athletically.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to become a big person in the High Point Community.
 
Charli Montalvo | Waxhaw, N.C. | Cuthbertson | Distance | 5'5"
What made you want to come to High Point? Ever since I visited HPU for the first time, it has stuck out to me because of the support and positivity I felt from everyone. This was a different tour than I had done before, and I just fell in love with the campus and the staff and faculty. This university is so well kept up with, and has so much to offer to its students, like activities and events all of the time. I also love how President Qubein is very involved in students' lives and wants nothing but the best for his students. Another main reason to come here for me was that I had an opportunity to not just to be able to run at the D1 level, but also to be part of a team as well as know other athletes before starting college. I already feel like I have such a great head start with knowing other students, both upperclassmen as well as underclassmen. High Point is the perfect place for me to feel comfortable and be ready for change and growth. I am not afraid to get started here just in a few weeks, I actually just can't wait to begin the next chapter of my life.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? Winning the Cross Country State Championship during my freshman year of high school would have to be at the top for my favorite memory. I can't describe the feeling during that moment, but I just remember being so happy and excited, since we didn't even know if we were going to win. We didn't only win, but that was the first time we had won a Cross Country State Championship, so it had an extra special place in my heart. My freshman season was definitely one of my more exciting moments throughout high school because it was so new to me, and I was surrounded by so many new people too. I met one of my best friends who was a senior, and we are still very close to this day. I worked so hard throughout this season, and it paid off because I was able to train and race as a top athlete from the team. I played a role and actually ran at states. Coming together as a team, and feeling that sense of relief after working so hard with my other teammates was surreal, and it was a moment that was not focused at all on myself, but an energy that went just to the team. Such leadership and comroderry with my teammates and coach.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? I really want to enjoy and soak up the new experiences of college during my first year at HPU. I am so excited to start new classes that will help me in my future career, and to have independence. With these two aspects that I am looking forward to, my goals lie in me being the best academic student I can be while still balancing both my friendships as well as my athletic journey. I want to keep up good grades, and stay engaged and up-to-date with everything I am learning. Other than academics, I really want to thrive in the athletic part of my experience- training at the collegiate level. I want to be there for my teammates and learn from them during and outside of practice.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I want to achieve being a great teammate and helping my team in the future with whatever goals we will have. I also want to achieve good grades and relationships with the different people I will be interacting with on a daily basis.
 
How do you hope to contribute? Just by having a positive outlook on my future, I hope to contribute by being the best friend and teammate I can be. I want to keep learning from others, but I also want to show leadership as much as I can by putting in hard work and balancing an exciting, busy life.
 
Catarina Guimaraes | Cranford, N.J. | Cranford | Sprints | 5'1"
 What made you want to come to High Point? I wanted to come to High Point because of the environment.  The desire to strive and achieve greatness aligned with my personal beliefs and I knew that High Point would help me in reaching all of my goals.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite memory is when I was competing for Team USA in 2019 at the Para Pan American Games in Lima Peru.  It was my first Team USA competition and my very first event was the 400.  I was set to compete in lane 9 because out of all of the finalists, I had the slowest seed time at 1 minute and 19 seconds.  I started the race in the lead but as we neared the second turn I was getting passed by everyone.  In pure determination to win, with 150 meters to go I kicked into an all out sprint, chasing down all of my competitors 1 by 1, winning my first bronze medal of the competition and cutting 9 seconds off of my seed time.  
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year at HPU are to get better.  I want to show that I am able to keep up with everyone else and reach new heights in my athletic career.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I plan to make it to the World Championships next year which will take place in Paris, France.
 
What do you hope to contribute? I plan to contribute by encouraging my teammates and growing stronger and faster as a group, because even though track and field is an individual sport, a team is only as good as it's weakest link.  My experience with international competition and handling the pressure of high level opponents can provide a guidance as High Point advances to the Championships.  
 
Lauren Buckminster | Sherrills Ford, N.C. | Bandys | Distance | 5'3"
What made you want to come to High Point? High Point really stood out to me from other universities because I feel that it is the perfect place for me to grow into the best version of myself.  High Point also has many opportunities such as a new Dentistry program, which I hope to attend. High Point's environment and community will help me learn and achieve my goals.  
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? I have had so many amazing memories from high school track and cross country. However, one of my favorite memories was from this past track season when my team realized we won the conference for both women and men. I will never forget the excitement from everyone when the results were announced that our team won. That was one of my favorite memories because I was so happy that everyone's hard work and dedication showed. To make matters more memorable, it started pouring down rain and we all decided to run a lap altogether to take it all in.  
 
What are your goals for your first season as HPU? I have many goals for the upcoming year as a freshman at High Point in both my classes and running career. My number one goal is to take one day at a time and take in all the memories because what I have learned is that life moves really fast whether we like it or not.  
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve many things such as building a strong team family and slowly becoming the best runner/person I can. 
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute a positive and hard working attitude to the team.  
 
Emily Tyree | Yadkinville, N.C. | Forbush | Javelin | 5'9"
What made you want to come to High Point? I chose to come to HPU because of the beautiful campus and welcoming atmosphere.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite high school track memory is winning the first track meet I competed in which was my senior year.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year at HPU are to Live Like Norah. As she did, I want to work hard, show compassion to everyone, and most importantly let God shine through me.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve excellence in both the classroom and on the field.
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute to my team by being a friend to everyone and consistently improving.
 
Sonia Piombino | West Chester, Penn. | West Chester East | Distance | 5'3"
What made you want to come to High Point? When I visited High Point, I immediately fell in love with the learning environment and the team. So much care is put into building students into their best selves in all aspects of life. I felt as though I was not seen as a number on MileSplit or just another student, I was seen as my whole self.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite high school running memory would have to be Penn Relays. It was really cool to see so many teammates come together in one place at such a high level to compete not just for themselves, but for their relay team. It was also the day my 4x8 came 1 second away from breaking the school record, which fueled our fire even hotter when we broke it a few weeks later at the district meet to qualify for states.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? In my first year at HPU, I hope to immerse myself in the academic and athletic environments as best I can. Making the most out of my time and forming strong friendships will ultimately help me to be my happiest self, so that I can run fast and learn a lot.
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope to break some records, whether those be personal or school, and to help the team place higher at regionals. By giving it my all each day in and out of practice, I hope to contribute to the overall success and excitement of the team.
 
Kaylee Copenspire | Baltimore, Md. | Perry Hall | Distance | 5'1"
What made you want to come to High Point? Deciding to attend High Point University to further my athletic and academic future was an easy decision as I fell in love with the positive and energetic atmosphere that was evident when I was on campus. High Point has everything I was looking for academically, athletically, spiritually, and socially.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite memory was during New Balance Nationals Indoor 2022. It was my first time running at the Armory in New York and national competition. It was an experience I will never forget where I got a new personal record in my event. My favorite part was the hug of proudness I received from my dad immediately after the race and knowing that I left everything I had on the track.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals this year are to be present in each moment and make friends that have the potential of being life long bonds. I want to appreciate every opportunity without jumping to the next situation. I intend to maintain good grades academically as well as learn from the staff and my new team on how I can further myself as an athlete.

What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve having myself go out of the box and challenge myself in ways I have never imagined. At High Point University, I intend to work to make myself the fastest Kaylee I can can be on the course/track. Academically, I hope to feel secure in my classes in order to be prepared for the job I decide to take on as a big part of my life. I also hope to achieve the ultimate goal of happiness at the end of each day, the feeling that each moment is another blessing and there is always good that will come from each situation.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute as a person no one is afraid to be themselves around. I want to be remembered and known as the girl who never fails to put a smile on another persons face and never quits. I want my determination and work ethic to be evident on and off the track and contribute to create a success chasing atmosphere. My biggest goal is to make sure people know I will be a spontaneous, energetic and hardworking ball of fun, just as much as I can be shoulder to cry on.
 
Amelia Moreland | Dublin, Ohio | Bishop Watterson | Multi | 5'7"
What made you want to come to High Point? I choose to attend High Point University because of its supportive and motivational environment. In both the athletic and academic departments High Point University shows that they care for their students and want them to succeed.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was winning districts with my team junior year. Winning districts showed that our hard work that season was starting to pay off and that we all did our part to get us there. It was a great bonding moment for all of us and it brought us closer as a team.
 
What are you goals for your first year at HPU? Athletically, my goal is to become a better athlete both physically and mentally. Academically, my goal is to push myself in my studies and maintain my grades.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve scoring points for my team and maintaining a high GPA. I also hope to achieve helping others reach their goals.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute to both the academic and athletic communities by utilizing a growth mindset and a strong work ethic.
 
Lauren Vossen | Forest, Va. | Jefferson Forest | Distance | 5'6"
What made you want to come to High Point? I wanted to come to High Point because both on the track and in the classroom I saw myself being challenged and surrounded by people with the same passion to achieve great things. I believe culture is the most important component for a strong team and I loved the positive and family like environment HPU had to offer.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite memory from high school is when my cross country team went up to New York for a training camp where my head coach grew up. This camp was where I began to find a true passion for running and saw myself beginning to implement grit and tenacity daily. Along with our daily runs or workouts we did activities like cliff jumping, exploring NYC, and playing spikeball that allowed our team to bond as a family. Seeing a passion for running beyond my community was so inspiring.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals are to stay healthy, get stronger, and run fearlessly. A lot of different factors go into these goals, but I believe with both my mind and body working in cohesion anything is possible. Of course the end goal is to become faster, but I am not setting any time goals because times trap you in a box, rather I am setting goals of who I want to become beyond a time. If I achieve these goals first faster times will naturally come along with that.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to develop a mentality that I can confidently step to the line every time and trust my body, my team, and my mind to work in cohesion for the best performance on a given day.
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope that I can be a positive light and encourager to each of my teammates. I hope I can challenge others to work hard day in and out with grit and tenacity.
 
Shauna Skow | Forest, Va. | Jefferson Forest | Distance | 5'3"
What made you want to come to High Point? After my first visit at High Point and meeting Coach Tamer I knew this is where God was calling me to go.
 
What is your favorite high school track or cross country memory and why? My favorite cross country memory was my senior year championship. It was a time when all of the team came together and laid everything out on the course. It really taught me what it means to be a team and to run beyond myself.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals during my first year are to stay healthy and work hard. Health is so important because it's one of those things where you don't think about it until it's gone.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve new records for myself. I know by putting in the hard work the times will come with that.
 
What do you hope to contribute? I hope that I can contribute to the team by always giving it 100%. Being part of a team means I'm running for more than just myself; my coach and teammates deserve nothing less that 100% of my effort and I'm certainly planning on bringing that this year along with optimism and determination.
 
Hailey Condron | Columbia, Md. | Howard | Distance | 5'6"
What made you want to come to HPU? The first time I stepped onto campus everyone made me feel at home. The faculty and staff were always friendly and greeted me wherever I was. I just knew HPU was the place for me. 
 
What is your favorite high school track/xc memory and why? My favorite memory was my very last bus ride home after winning states multiple years in a row and being able to celebrate that with the people who I am able to call my family. 
 
What are you goals for your first year at HPU? My goal is to be able to contribute to this championship team while holding myself accountable academically and athletically. 
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to be able to run better times than I was before surgery and to push myself more than I am used to. 
 
How do you hope to contribute? I will contribute to this team by working hard on and off the field. I will give my "all" and more to be able to help make this team the best it can be. 
 
Kaitlin Richards | Eagleville, PA | Methacton | Pole Vault | 5'8"
What made you want to come to High Point? When I visited it the campus I loved it. It felt safe, the environment was amazing, and everyone was so welcoming and nice. The university has everything I could possibly need for my major and more.
 
What is your favorite high school Track or Cross Country memory and why? My favorite high school Track memory is my senior year when we won PACs because my freshman year we lost by a few points and sophomore and junior year we did not have the meet due to covid. It was a 3 day long meet because of weather and I had started my school off strong with 10 points in the first day. My friends and teammates then carried us the rest of the way that we won by a landslide and I will never forget how happy we were when we accomplished what we had been working for as a team since freshman year.
 
What are your goals for your first year at HPU? My goals for my first year is to improve my performance in pole vaulting and to do well in school to maintain a high GPA.
 
What do you hope to achieve? What I hope to achieve is to increase my personal record significantly and make it to conference and be an active, supportive teammate.
 
How do you hope to contribute? How I hope to contribute is by clearing higher height to help my team and by cheering on my teammates during competitions.

Two other athletes, Lilly Wolf and Felix LeBlanc, joined the Panther programs early in 2022, and both competed in the 2022 Big South Outdoor Championships. Wolf finished fourth in the women's javelin with a 39.83m heave, while LeBlanc finished third in the men's decathalon with a personal best 6,059 points.