July 17, 2008

Utah Valley University track & field head coach Scott Houle released his 2008-09 signees Thursday, which include 30 athletes (12 men and 18 women) that will help solidify his roster and compete for a Great West Conference Championship.

"Over the years our recruiting classes continue to get better and better," Houle said. "I'm really excited for this year's class and how we were able to bring in such depth to our roster. I'm looking forward to seeing all the new athletes compete and am especially excited for our new throwers coming in."

On the men's side the standout newcomers include Akwasi Frimpong, a sprinter from the Netherlands; Ben Felix, a distance runner from American Fork; Ty Bunting, State Champion shot put thrower from Kanab High School; and Levi Ball State Champion pole vaulter out of Veiwmont H.S.

New standouts on the women's team include: Rosina Amenebede, a hurdler out of Ghana who is in contention to represent her country in the upcoming Olympics; Krystal Harper, a multiple high school State Champion in cross country and track out of Orem High School; Nicole Knighton, a Bountiful High School shot put State Champion; and Melissa Morris, one of the top pole vaulters from the state of California.

Men:

Name High School Hometown Event

Wes Swaney Pine View St. George, UT Multi

Chris Burr Timpanogos Orem, UT Hurdles

Akwasi Frimpong Amsterdam Amsterdam, NE Sprints

Ty Bunting Kanab Kanab, UT Throws

Ben Felix Am. Fork American Fork, UT Distance

Levi Ball Viewmont Farmington, UT Pole Vault

Michael McPherson Chaparral Parker, CO Multi

Andy Mecham Springville Springville, UT Mid Distance

Josh McCabe Timpview Provo, UT Distance

Jared Keller Mt. View Orem, UT Distance

Zach Pitts Jordan Draper, UT Throws

Women:

Krystal Harper Orem Orem, UT Distance

Kelli Roach Spanish Fork Spanish Fork, UT Throws

Rosina Amenebede Kumasi Ghana, Africa Hurdles

Erica Porter Pl. Grove Pleasant Grove, UT Hurdles

Melissa Morris Cypress La Palma, CA Pole Vault

Stephanie Talbot Box Elder Perry, UT Mid Distance

Sonja Ponis Spanish Fork Spanish Fork, UT Mid Distance

Nicole Knighton Bountiful Bountiful, UT Throws

Kamee Bentley Snow Canyon St. George, UT Multi

Angela Baker Weber Liberty, UT Distance

Nancy Romer Weber No. Ogden, UT Hurdles

Megan Brown Coronado Las Vegas, NV Sprints

Becky Reeves Orem Orem, UT Throws

Kalina Zufelt Brighton Cottonewood, UT Mid Distance

Janeece Baumgartner Cedar Cedar City, UT Distance

Zandrea Nelson Valley Hazelton,ID Sprints

McKell Camp North Sevier Salina, Ut Throws

Shalise Walker Weber No. Ogden, UT Mid Distance