Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Track and Field Signs Eight Student-Athletes
8/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Aug. 21, 2006
HUNTINGTON, W.Va.- Marshall Head Coach Jeff Small announced earlier this week that he signed eight student-athletes to join the Thundering Herd track and field squad. The class of 2010 includes state champions, a nationally ranked hurdler, sprinter and thrower, and a USATF junior national champion who has competed internationally. The eight athletes hail from five different states, Michigan, New Jersey, South Carolina, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
"We are really excited to bring this class in. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the assistant coaches we have been able to sign top-notch athletes. Our program is headed in the right direction with the addition of these women," Small said.
Erin Humphrey of Ypsilanti, Mich., brings the most experience to the Herd. Humphrey, who attended Lincoln High School, was the No. 2 nationally ranked senior in the 400 meter for the class of 2006. To close out her high school career, Humphrey became the state champion and record holder in the 400m. Humphrey is a two time, 2005 and 2006, Junior Olympic National Champion in the 4x400m relay. Currently she is a member of the 2006 US Junior National team competing in Beijing, China at the World Junior Championships. Her personal best times include 53.53 seconds in the 400m and 24.16 seconds in the 200m.
Samantha Fetter joins Marshall from the Hempfield Area High School in Greensburg, Pa. While at Hempfield, Fetter was a four year letter-winner in track and field. During her senior season she became the 2006 State Champion in the discus as well as the runner-up in the shot put. She previously was the 2005 runner-up in both the discus and shot-put and placed third at the Nike National Indoor Championship. Fetter is the second of three nationally-ranked incoming athletes; she was No. 7 in the shot put for 2006. Fetter's natural throwing talent is a strong addition to the squad.
Rolanda Bruce of East Orange, New Jersey, is the third nationally ranked incoming athlete. Bruce was ranked No. 10 in the 400m hurdles for 2006. She holds the title of 2006 New Jersey State Champion in the 400m hurdles. In her event, her personal best is 1 minute and 1.74 seconds.
Angelica Harris of Clinton, S.C. comes to Marshall from Clinton High School where she was a four-time all-state performer in the 200m, 400m and triple jump. Her personal best in each of the events are 24.72s in the 200m, 56.35s in the 400m and, 37 feet 10 inches in the triple jump. In 2006 Harris earned the Clinton High School female athlete of the year award.
The two local signees included Lindsay Rumburg of Lashmeet, W.Va. and Ayreal Thompson from Weirton, W.Va. Combined, the athletes hold 13 state titles.
Rumburg competed for Pikeview High School and is a four-time state champion in the shot put. Her personal best in the event is 43'2".
Thompson earned state records during three of her four years at Weir High School. During her freshman year she became the state champion in the 100m and 200m events. In 2005, her junior year, Thompson held three state titles, 4x200m relay, 200m and 100m. Thompson repeated the 2005 titles and added the 4x100m title as well. Thompson's personal best s for the 100m and 200m are 12.41s and 25.71s.
Ernanda Bendtsen attended Notre Dame Preparatory Academy in Waterford, Michigan. During 2005 she became the Michigan Private Schools State Champion in the 400m. Her personal best time in the event is 56.47s. Bendtsen is also a member a 4x400m relay team that won the 2005 Junior Olympic National Championship.
Andrea Jackson comes to Marshall after attending Sumter High School in Sumter, South Carolina. Jackson won the 2005 triple jump state championship. Her best leap in the event is 38'5".
Players Mentioned
