The High Point University men's and women's cross country, track and field staff announced the roster additions for the 2023-24 rosters. 

"We graduated many quality athletes this past year, so it was very important for us to recruit a large and talented group," head coach Mike Esposito stated. "I feel very confident that we did exactly that. This class includes veteran transfers who will make an immediate impact, along with a promising group of incoming Freshmen. These newcomers should fit in very well with our returners as we continue to climb the Regional a national ladder."

"Like the men's team, we had a lot of excellent athletes graduate from our program," coach Esposito commented. "This recruiting class includes high end multi performers, distance reinforcements, and quality depth in the other event areas. Our coaching staff takes great pride in developing student athletes and this class give us excellent potential to work with."
 
Women's Track & Field/Cross Country:
 
Auriane Viola | Schiltigheum, France | Pole Vault | Louisville

Viola, a redshirt senior from Schiltigheim, France, transfers to High Point from Louisville. During her time with the Cardinals, she recorded a personal best 4.22m in the women's pole vault at the ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships in 2021. She was named to the ACC Indoor Second Team in 2021 & 2022. 
 
Karlea Duhon | Tyler, Texas | Combined Events | Kent State
 
Duhon joins the HPU squad after spending time at Angelo State and Kent State. Competing in the heptathlon, Duhon registered a personal best 5256 points at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in 2019 for a third-place finish. Her top personal bests were in the 100-meter hurdles (14.36), high jump (1.67m), long jump (5.76m) and the javelin (41.96). In indoor, she recorded a personal best 3773 points in the pentathlon after finishing first at the Lone Star Conference meet in 2020.

What made you want to come to High Point? Talking with coach Holmes.

What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goal for my one and only season at High Point is to be a Division I National Qualifier.

What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve a higher heptathlon score.

How do you hope to contribute? I hope to encourage more athletes to pursue becoming a multi athlete.
 
Gianna Paul | Arima, Trinidad | Combined Events

Paul recently competed at the NACAC U18 Championships where she won a gold medal in the heptathlon. While at the NACAC U18 Championships, she ran a personal best in the 200m with a time of 24.85. She has also recorded personal bests in the 100mh (14.78), high jump (1.65m) and long jump (5.54m). In the heptathlon her personal best score was 4618 points. 

What made you want to come to High Point High Point stood out because it had all the facilities and the courses I wanted to study. It also looked like a very big and beautiful school.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was when I went to Tobago to represent the school in the National Championship. It was my favorite memory because I traveled with my colleges, and it was really fun.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals during my first year are to pass my classes and improve my track techniques. I would also like to have a good time.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I want to break records and make standards for the different international games to represent my home country. My ultimate goal is to make it to the Olympic games.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I will prepare myself mentally to endure the physical stress that I will put my body through, and I will work extremely hard to reach that goal.
 
Elizabeth Ritter | Matthews, N.C. | Distance
 
Ritter, an incoming freshman joins HPU as a distance runner recording personal bests in the 1600m with a time of 5:07.69 and the 3200m with a time of 10:48.20. 
 
What made you want to come to High Point? I admire the pride High Point University takes in being a God, Family, Country school. There is also an emphasis placed on life skills and preparing students for the real world. I look forward to taking advantage of the many opportunities provided to maximize my potential for an extraordinary future.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? When my coach entered a 4x200 relay team for senior night composed of distance runners (including me). It was fun racing a different event and even more fun when our team won.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals for my first year as a panther are to effectively manage my time to ensure I perform my best on the track and in the classroom. I am also excited to meet new people and form meaningful friendships.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to receive A's in the classroom and PR's on the track.
 
How do you hope to contribute? By being a positive, hard-working, and supportive teammate and student.
 
Kira Simoncini | Worcester, Mass. | Sprints

Simoncini, a freshman from Worcester, Massachusetts comes to High Point as a sprinter, recording personal bests in the 100m dash at 12.41, the 200m dash at 25.51 and the 55m dash at 7.86 (*converted). 
 
What made you want to come to High Point? The campus and track program made me want to come to High Point.

What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was being with my favorite people at meets.

What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals during the first season are to PR and become a better and healthier athlete.

What do you hope to achieve? This year I hope to achieve new PR's while doing my best.

How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by running my best and being a good teammate.

Brianna Malone | Dover, N.H. | Distance

During Malone's outdoor track and field seasons in high school, she recorded personal bests in the 800m run at 2:11.52, the 3000m run at 10:11.60, and the 1500m run at 4:41.90. During the cross country seasons, her best time was 18:03.80 in the 5k race.

Carly McNatt | Montverde, Fla. | Distance

During McNatt's high school track and field seasons, she registered personal bests in the 800m, 1600m and the 3200m. In the 800m she ran a 2:15.41, in the 1600m she clocked a 4:56.57 and in the 3200m she recorded a 10:45.42.
 
Tamaya Walden | Siler City, N.C. | Sprints
 
What made you want to come to High Point? I wanted to come to HPU because of how welcoming the campus made me feel. I also chose HPU for the academic opportunities it will give me for the future.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory is winning gold medals in each of my three events at Regionals my junior year, so my dad could buy my favorite cinnamon covered pecans.
 
What do you hope to achieve? As a student I hope to achieve getting multiple internships to prepare me for my future. As an athlete I hope to achieve greatness at High Point University.
 
Jillian Thorning | Doylestown, Pa. | Distance

Thorning, an incoming freshman from Doylestown, Pennsylvania competed in the 400m and 800m in high school. Her personal best times were 59.01 in the 400m and 2:15.07 in the 800m.
 
What made you want to come to High Point? When I stepped on campus for the first time it felt different than any other school I visited. I very quickly knew I wanted to go there. The team is the perfect fit; they are the sweetest and most welcoming people. The coaching staff is very knowledgeable, and the facilities are amazing. In addition, on the academic side they have small class sizes and access to great tools and experiences.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? Making it to states with my 4x800 team! It was so special to share it with my teammates and for all of us to run the best we ever have. It was so fun to have an overnight trip with them and share so many laughs together.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? I would like to keep improving my times. In the 800m, I would like to drop a few seconds and hopefully get around 2:12.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to embrace the challenges that come my way with a healthy mindset and use it to my advantage. Everything will set me up to achieve my goals.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute with not only my racing, but also by supporting my teammates and all of their goals as well. I want to be someone that my teammates can rely on for anything.
 
Larissa Maxwell | Portland, OR | Sprints/Jumps
 
What made you want to come to High Point? I was really attracted to the academics of the school and seeing they had such an amazing track team made me want to work even harder to be a part of it.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite track memory was going to state with my relay team and finding out we placed when we thought we didn't. We were running all over the Hayward Stadium trying to get our medals, and since we were late, we got a picture of just us on the podium receiving our medals.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? I want to be able to balance school and sports as well as keeping my GPA as high as possible.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I want to improve my overall technique in my events. I also want to shave off .5 in my 100m, jump high 38 in triple and 19 feet in long jump.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to be able to contribute points for our team as well as just being a good teammate to my team.
 
Madison Awbrey | Fairmont, WV | Sprints
 
What made you want to come to High Point? High Point has all the right resources and opportunities for me to have a successful future. Everything and everyone on campus truly sets themselves apart and strives for success.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite memory was winning the 4x100 state championships in 2021 and 2022 and winning with my best friends.
  
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve my goals and become a trusted member of the team.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to be able to contribute to a relay in my time at HPU and be able to score at the conference meets.
 
Abigail Ford | Charlotte, N.C. | Sprints/Jumps
 
What made you want to come to High Point? I valued the campus safety, and I really liked the class sizes. The school is not too big, but it's not too small. I've heard nothing but good things about HPU and I was impressed every time I visited the campus.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was winning to two championship relays (4x1,4x2) with my relay team in 2022. It was the same four girls for both relays, we had the best chemistry, and we worked extremely hard together. We put some time and effort into our relays that season and seeing the fruit of our labor at the state meet was such a reward.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? Above all else, my grades come first. My first year as a panther, I want to excel academically. Athletically, my goal for my first year is to run on the 4x1 relay as a freshman.
  
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by being a leg for a relay and by scoring points to help the team win meets.
 
Ava Bugenhagen | Canandaigua, New York | Combined Events
  
What made you want to come to High Point? The fantastic opportunity for academics and exploring the jumble of things I want to try in a fun and inspiring way. I loved the message and values the school holds. Thought it would be a great place to be at and continue on!
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? One of my favorite memories was when we had a throwers relay this year as part of our last league meet and Brockports Senior night. The competition was on, and it was a gorgeous warm night. We had a particularly crappy weather season where almost every meet was cold or rainy, so it was nice. They did this for the final race and both teams followed as all the thrower runners sprinted, tackling handoffs with no practice. We were all cheering, hootin' and hollerin' with the BIGGEST grins. Everyone was smiling and having the best time supporting our people. It was one of those times where my heart just felt so full running with my friends. The love of the sport shined bright that day. I also PR'd in the long jump and the 4x100m, so that was the cherry on top. The bus ride was fun too.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? To learn how to throw a javelin and get consistent heights in the high jump.
 
What do you hope to achieve? A champion of sorts would be crazy awesome in time… but I hope to become good at what I do and have a ton of fun sweating.
 
How do you hope to contribute? By being a friend and someone who is always there to help.
 
Mia Crabtree | Cary, N.C. | Sprints
 
What made you want to come to High Point? The school atmosphere and all of the resources seemed awesome!
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? I hope to be the best Mia I can be and focusing more on that then what I was or want to be I just want to take everything day by day and really enjoy the process of becoming better each day.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to win and compete in some races.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by being a competitor to my team and self. I want to push everybody to be better. When someone competes against me, I always step up to the level they are at and push myself more. I hope to be that for somebody as well.
 
 
Men's Cross Country Track & Field:
 
Jason Thomson | Sherrills Ford, N.C. (UNC) | Distance 
 
Thomson, a transfer from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, joins the Panthers after competing three seasons with the Tar Heels. Thomson competed in the 1500m, mile, 3000m, and the 5000m during the track season. In indoor he took first place in the mile at the Dick Taylor Challenge in Chapel Hill in January of 2023 with a time of 4:09.03 for a personal best. During the 2023 indoor and outdoor seasons he recorded personal bests in the 1500m with a time of 3:49.09 at the Wake Forest Invitational, the 3000m with a time of 8:17.88 at the Penn State National Open and in the 5000m with a time of 15:04.52 at the Music City Challenge. He also earned a spot on the 2023 ACC Outdoor Track and Field Academic All-ACC Team. During the cross country season Thomson ran a personal best 24:56.4 in the men's 8k at the Coaching Tree Invitational.
 
Cole Wilson | Burgessville, ON, Canada (Keiser University) | Combined Events

Wilson joins HPU from Keiser University after spending two seasons with the Seahawks. In the heptathlon, he was crowned the NAIA Indoor Champion in 2023 after scoring a personal best 5347. For the outdoor season he was named to the All-Conference and All-American teams in the decathlon and recorded a personal best 6835 at the NAIA Outdoor Championships for a third-place finish. Wilson was also named the Sun Conference Freshman of the Year in 2022 and crowned the Sun Conference indoor high jump champion after clearing 2.04m for a personal best.

What made you want to come to High Point? The amazing coaches and athletes on the track team, along with the high standard of academics High Point University has to offer.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track and field memory was high jumping 1.80m for the first time.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goal is to continue to improve overall as a decathlete.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to help the team score in any way possible and qualify for the NCAA championships.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by training and competing to the best of my ability each and every week.
 
Zeyad Elhussin Elsayed Mohamed Ragab | Egypt | Jumps/Sprints
 
Elsayed was a member of the Egypt National Team this past year. He recorded a personal best in the men's long jump with a distance of 7.67m (25'2") and 7.75m (w) (25'5.25"). 
 
What made you want to come to High Point? I wanted to come to High Point to improve my skills and my marks.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My first-year goals are to win the NCAA Championship in the long jump and surpass eight meters.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to become one of the best athletes in High Point's track and field history.
 
Reuben Kosche | Boise, Idaho (St. Olaf College) | Distance
 
During Kosche's time at St. Olaf College, the distance runner recorded personal bests in the mile (4:16.10), the 3000m (8:22.08), the 5000m (14:43.98) and the 1500m (3:53.38). During all of his personal bests listed, Kosche finished each race in the top three. 
 
What made you want to come to High Point? As a graduate transfer with only one year of eligibility left, I knew I wanted to come to a program where I could make an impact and be a valued asset for the team. I cannot thank Coach Esposito enough for taking a chance on me and believing in me. I am so blessed and excited to have the opportunity to train, compete, and have fun during this next year.
 
What is your favorite track memory and why? My favorite memory from cross country at my undergraduate school was qualifying as a team to two Division III national meets. Both races were so fun and incredible experiences.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals for this next year are to train and compete to the best of my ability, be a positive resource for all of my teammates, and to have a lot of fun.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I'd love to leave my one and only year as a Panther with a lot of new friends, new memories, and hopefully a few new PRs.
 
How do you hope to contribute? While it will be my first year in the program, I hope to be an asset and friend for all of my teammates.
 
Timon Edelen | Raleigh, N.C. (Campbell) | Throws
 
Edelen is a familiar Big South competitor from Campbell where he recently finished fourth in the discus throw (48.49m) and eighth in the hammer throw (48.64 PB) at the 2023 Big South Outdoor Championships. During his time at Campbell, he recorded personal bests in the shot put (14.93m), the discus (49.92), the weight throw (15.20m) and the javelin (57.09m).
 
What made you want to come to High Point? Coach Hall is a knowledgeable throws coach who has helped athletes improve year in and year out.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite memory was winning an indoor state championship my junior year. I came in ranked 5th, and it was just special to win while being the underdog.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? This year I would like to improve all of my PRs and qualify for NCAA first-round.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I would like to graduate from my master's program and receive a good job after graduation.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to be able to score points for my team so we can win a conference championship.

Nick Morse | Toms River, N.J. (Rhode Island) | Throws

Morse is a transfer thrower from the University of Rhode Island. Whioe at Rhode Island, Morse recorded personal bests in the shot put and discus. In the 2022-23 season he registered both personal bests with a distance of 16.99m in the shot put at the UCONN Northeast Challenge and 47.08 in the discus at the Holy Cross Invitational.
 
Antonio Votour | Pittsburgh, Pa. | Sprints/Hurdles
 
In 2023, Votour was named the 60m hurdles Adidas Indoor Track National Champion with a time of 8.02 seconds and the 110m hurdles Champion at the PIAA State Championships with a time of 14.28 (PB). Votour's fastest time in the 60m hurdles is 7.99 seconds.

What made you want to come to High Point? High Point is a place where I can see myself grow academically and athletically. I believed in my abilities and HPU offered great coaching to help drive me to a new level. When I met Coach Pruitt and Coach Esposito, I was amazed with their commitment and success in the Big South. The campus is immaculate and aligns with my values. The biology major I am interested in paired with the new Dentistry program and was a perfect match in what I was looking for.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? One of my favorite track memories is when I was named a National Champion at Adidas Nationals. Crossing the finish line, looking up at the board, and seeing my name first was such a surreal experience. Having been named All-American, I also beat my PR. I would also have to mention my accomplishment of winning states for the 110h, setting a school and conference meet record.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals for my first year at HPU are to succeed both academically and athletically. I hope to find a balance while also pushing myself to unlock my greatest potential. I also hope to exceed my PRs in my sprint/hurdle events.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I plan to achieve new PR in all my hurdle events (60h, 110h, 400h). I want to push myself harder every day and contribute to the team's success.
 
How do you hope to contribute? This season I hope to contribute a positive attitude and relentless drive. I also want to be able to score points and help the team win another conference title.
 
Kyle Spencer | McMinnville, Ore. | Distance
 
In high school Spencer's best times were recorded in the 1500m (4:02.98), the 3000m (8:33.66) and the 3200m (9:19.10).

What made you want to come to High Point? Took an official visit in the winter and absolutely loved it. Spent time with the team, had lunch with them, and talked to coach Esposito, toured the college and loved everything.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was qualifying for states in the 3k at our districts meet. There were five guys right around the same time and only two get to go and a teammate and I kept with the leader who had a faster PR than everyone. At the 400m mark all three of us started kicking and went all-out on the last lap which ended with my teammate and I coming in first and second on the team to qualify for states with new 3k PRs and a 59 second last lap.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals are to have fun, train hard, and do the best I can for myself and my new team.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to be top seven so I can race at the big meets and be a part of the traveling team.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I want to train hard and get better every day with my teammates and hopefully that ends with us scoring well at the big meets.
 
Shaun Thomas | Pinehurst, N.C. | Jumps
 
Thomas finished third overall at the 4A State Championships in the men's high jump matching his personal best 2.03m. 
 
What made you want to come to High Point? How I was treated when I was on campus, and I could tell Coach Holmes is an amazing coach.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory enjoying every meet and watching my friends compete and hanging out with them.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals for my first year as a Panther are to become a high jump Conference Champion, win a Conference Championship, as a team and make the National meet.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I want to be a National Champion and I want to help bring the high jump squad to top 10 in the team rankings.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope that I can be someone that makes the team better as a whole whether that is pushing someone to the limit or cheering someone on during competition.
 
Jason Olivera Jr. | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Pole Vault

In 2023, Olivera was crowned the Florida High School State Champ in the men's pole vault after clearing a personal best 4.65m.
 
What made you want to come to High Point? A recommendation from alumni Tucker Conine and the overall family environment on the team at HPU.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was winning the state championship because the previous year result was a no height.

What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals are to make the competition and travel team and make it to Nationals.

What do you hope to achieve? I hope to become the men's all-time top pole vaulter at HPU.

How do you hope to contribute? By bringing positivity to the team environment while scoring points to help the team win another conference championship.
 
John Connors | Rumson, N.J. | Jumps
 
Connors finished second overall at the 2023 NJSIAA Indoor Meet of Champions in the high jump with a height of 1.99m. He rounded out the 2023 season being named the Shore Field Athlete of the Year. Connors was a member of the Puerto Rico U20 National Team.
  
What made you want to come to High Point? A combination of the coaches, the team, and the campus.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was jumping 6"6' for the first time and becoming a state champion.

What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals during the first season are to have fun, enjoy it, and become a better athlete.

What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve a new personal best in the high jump.

How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by being a fun person to be around and bringing good energy to the team.
 
Kelly Bell | Downingtown, PA | Sprints

Bell helped his 4x4 relay team to a first-place finish at the Suburban Chesmont (Penn Relays) during the season. He also recorded a personal best in the 400m with a time of 48.59 seconds.
 
What made you want to come to High Point? One thing that made me come to High Point University was the instant connection I felt among students, coaches, and staff.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory is placing second in the state championship for the 4x100. This is my favorite memory because of not only the experience I gained but also the friendships I made with my teammates.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals for my first year as a Panther are to become familiar with the routines, physically fit to my goals, and forming a bond with my teammates.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve my goals and standards not only on the track but in academics as well.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by being a good teammate and motivating my teammates to the fullest effect.
 
Marquis Belle | Glen Allen, Va. | Sprints

Belle is an incoming freshman sprinter from Glen Allen High School in Glen Allen, Virginia. His best times coming in are 47.79 seconds in the 400m and 10.94 seconds in the 100m. For indoor he competed in the 300m dash and recorded his fastest time at 34.87 seconds.
 
Henry Zief | Princeton, N.J. | Throws
 
What made you want to come to High Point? I wanted to come to High Point because of the opportunities that are available in business and entrepreneurship.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite memory is throwing at the new balance nationals because I was able to throw with other javelin throwers from all across the country.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? I want to consistently work and get stronger to be able to throw 200 feet.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to become the best javelin thrower that I can be.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I will contribute by putting in more work than required so I can achieve my goals.
 
Nicholas Cramer | Newtown, Pa. | Combined Events
 
What made you want to come to High Point? Having the ability to better myself on and off the track.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was competing at the New Balance Indoor Nationals.

What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals are to make the dean's list and get better in all my track and field events.

What do you hope to achieve? The ability to compete at big meets.

How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by scoring at the Big South Conference Championship.
 
Tyler Rogers | Tampa, Fla. | Distance
 
Rogers has recorded personal bests in the 1600m and 3200m with times of 4:30.12 and 9:37.31 respectively.
 
What made you want to come to High Point? The university's message and goals are really meaningful to me. The University fits all my educational needs, and I really like the team and how Coach Esposito coaches.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite memory was a 3200 race where we had five guys under 10 and four of us ran a PR. I won the race with a PR, which was a huge confidence boost for the season, and it was the best distance performance from our school ever.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? I hope to find confidence in the path I want to take and improve as a runner.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to go into medical school or research after college. I want to place highly in conference and regional meets.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to place high and score for the team. I also want to be someone that other can rely on for help or motivation.
 
Gavin Stevens | Chesapeake Beach, MD | Distance
 
Stevens recorded personal bests in the 1600m and 5000m with times of 4:24.30 and 15:18.87 respectively.
 
What made you want to come to High Point? The campus was the main seller, but what made me decide to commit was coach Espo and how genuine he was/straight up. After meeting the team, I also knew that they were good people, and I could see myself running with them.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was winning states for the first time with my team. It came down to the wire, the last event and the whole team came together to cheer them on. Then we all went nuts after we knew we won.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? To compete. Keep up with everyone and show that I belong on the team. I want to run at meets and improve myself for the team.
 
What do you hope to achieve? Earn the teams trust and respect. I hope to achieve good times, and a great season with no injuries.
 
How do you hope to contribute? Anyway I can, being supportive, honest and respectful to the team as a whole. Earn my way to meets and invites helping the team earn points.
 
Connor Hackett | Brick, New Jersey | Sprints
 
What made you want to come to High Point? High point offers a very unique learning style. No other college offers experiential learning. The nationally ranked dorms caught my attention too. I also thought I can be competitive within this team and conference.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite memory was indoor nationals at adidas this year because I was finally able to display talent on a big stage and grew an even tighter bond with my teammates. Our program never really branched out for its team so stuff like nationals and Penn relays were new and core experience in my track career.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals for my first year are to listen and learn from the older guys. I want to learn how this program works and thrive. My goals are to pr and get some points for this team.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve further progress from high school and hit better pr's. I hope to achieve a better work ethic and be able to commit fully to the team.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute some points at meets and boost our team chemistry and morale. I hope to contribute being a good teammate.
 
Jaiden Hubbard | Winston-Salem, N.C. | Jumps/Sprints
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite memory was running a 50.7 at conference.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? This year I would like to compete in at least five big meets.
 
Isaac McGinnis | Maryland | Sprints/Jumps
 
What made you want to come to High Point? The opportunities that High point offers academically and on the track. I feel like High point can bring me the most success in my college career.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was when me and my team won the WCAC championship in our conference.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My first-year goals are to be able to learn, but not just learn, grow. To be able to push my past my limits and achieve greatness early as much as I can!
 
What do you hope to achieve? For my academics I pray to achieve a sports management career in the sports industry NBA, NFL, MLB etc. With track and field, I pray that I be able to reach low 10's in the 100 and over 25 feet in the long jump!
 
How do you hope to contribute? I pray that I can contribute anywhere needed! I want to help my team as much as possible.
 
Zachary Davis | Blacksburg, VA | Distance
 
What made you want to come to High Point? The opportunities that High Point provides made me want to come to school here.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was winning cross country states as a team after placing 8th the year before because all year we had been overlooked.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals are to compete at a conference championship.
 
Tyler Galley | Clearwater, Fla. | Distance
 
What made you want to come to High Point? I wanted to come to High Point for the research opportunities, amazing academic and athletic facilities, the cool weather, and the nice dorms.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory comes from the 2022 Garmin Running Lane Cross Country Championships where I ran my all-time high school best 5k and had the opportunity to meet many of my idols including Alan Webb.

What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? I want to run fast and stay out of injury.

What do you hope to achieve? I hope I can reach levels I never thought I could.

How do you hope to contribute? I look forward to working with the team to achieve our goals.
 
Avery Crowell | Portsmouth, N.H. | Distance
 
What made you want to come to High Point? The Academic opportunities, breathtaking campus, and supportive coaching made me want to come to High Point.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was winning the outdoor state title. The bus ride home was emotional and triumphant, and felt like a culmination of all of our team's hard work.

What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My individual goals are to run a sub 4:15 mile and run a cross country race at a sub 16 5k pace the whole way through. My goals for the team are to help contribute to winning conference titles in any way that I can.

What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve a strong balance between academics and track, learning the new system of college training and class work, while meeting new friends and finding a solid group.

How do you hope to contribute? Hustle and hard work, supporting my teammates on and off the track, and helping win conference titles in any way I am needed or able.
 
Brayden Barro | Annandale, VA | Distance
 
What made you want to come to High Point? High Point has a great environment, with supportive faculty and teachers that will set me up for life after college. The track team has had consistent success and I am looking forward to improving myself and competing at the highest level I can.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory is when I had a huge breakthrough towards the end of my junior year at a twilight meet and continued to progress after that.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals are to have some big time drops, especially in my 1600(or 1500) and 800. I want to stay as disciplined and focused as possible in school and on the track, so that I can reach the full potential that I have.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to surprise a lot of people in my first year and have some really big-time drops come spring. I want to get better every day and see myself progress.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute good team culture, running fast and having fun with my teammates while being supportive.
 
Kevin Mitchell | Woodstock, Ga. | Combined Events
 
What made you want to come to High Point? I got on campus, and it felt like home. It had everything I wanted to do as far as my major and it was the best place to set me up for the future.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? Winning our region for the first time is my best memory. Our school had never won the region and my junior year we set it up to where we could win it. I was hurt at the start, and I was able to come back and still be a top scorer in that region meet and we pulled out an overall team win.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? I want to get better on all aspects of the sport and get stronger at my events. The ultimate goal for year 1 is place in conference.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to make it to the NCAA Championships.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by being a team player and becoming a leader. Someone that can be relied on for anything from relays to open events to scoring top points in my primary event.
 
Alexander Contreras | Thurmont, Maryland | Distance
 
What made you want to come to High Point? The University has a lot of academic opportunities and I like the way the coaching staff views running.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite track memory was the 2023 indoor state championship. I won two gold medals and my team won state for the second year in a row.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals are to not get injured and to run sub 15:30 in the 5k.
 
What do you hope to achieve? By the end of my time at High Point I want to be a sub 4 miler and have made it to the NCAAs.
 
James Mooney | Chargin Falls, OH | Distance
 
What made you want to come to High Point? I loved the campus, the school, and it felt like the right fit for me across the board.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My final 1600 race at regionals. I didn't expect much because the region was loaded for Division II, but this was a huge breakthrough race for me with great competition.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goal is to stay healthy whether it's preventing injury or getting sick.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope I can add or contribute to the team in any way possible.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute by giving it everything I have in competition and motivate others.
 
William Reeves | Southington, CT | Combined Events
 
What made you want to come to High Point? High Point had a very welcoming environment when I first arrived and an even better campus. It was a beautiful place and there is no where I'd rather spend the next four years of my career.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? Winning my first LL State Title in the 300mH this past year. It was truly one of the happiest moments of my life. Between the lead up to the race and the excitement afterwards it was an amazing time.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? My goals for my first year as a panther are to help the team in any way I can. I'm very excited to help contribute and make an impact however I am needed.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I hope to achieve many great things both on and off the track. I hope to be a big part of this Panthers program over the next four years and win conference titles as both a team and individually. I most importantly though hope to achieve things people have never done before. I will strive for success and records, and I won't let anything stop me.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to be available to help no matter what. I want to be able to step in when I am needed and help the team succeed. I hope to have an impact on the underclassman once I become an upperclassman and continue to help grow the program as best as possible.
 
James Wallace | Cape Carteret, N.C. | Distance
 
What made you want to come to High Point? The team and its program, the great education, and the amazing campus.
 
What is your favorite high school track memory and why? My favorite high school track memory was winning the 2022 XC team state championship.
 
What are your goals for your first year as a Panther? To excel in my athletics and try to get as fast as I can.
 
What do you hope to achieve? I want to be able to compete on the team and be just as fast as the other freshman.
 
How do you hope to contribute? I hope to contribute in any way I can and get faster so as I get into higher grades and help the team with points.

Simeon Hayward | Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy) | Distance

While at the IMG Academy, Hayward recorded a personal best 1:57.97 in the 800m.

Cameron Rejonis | Smithsburgh, MD | Distance

In high school, Rejonis had personal best times in the 400m at 50.18 seconds and 800m at 1:57.38.