CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah University track & field/cross country head coach, Eric Houle, has announced the 2015-16 signing class, welcoming 13 newcomers to the program for the upcoming season.

The group includes two distance men. Josh Collins, from Wasatch High School, has posted personal bests of 1:54 in the 800-meter, a 4:08 mile, and 8:51 in the 3,200-meter. Collins is the 4A Utah State Cross Country Champion and also won the NXN Southwest meet this past year. Kasey Knevelbaard comes from Immanuel High School in Reedley, Calif. Knevelbaard has posted personal bests of 1:53 in the 800-meter, a 4:08 mile, and 9:05 in the 3,200-meter. His mile posts the 5th fastest for all high schoolers in North America this year.

The women's distance team brings in 7 signees. Sarah Sargent, out of East HS in Salt Lake City, comes in with PRs of 5:09 in the mile and and 11:03 3,200-meter. Maddy Kauffman (Lehi HS) and Nikki Smith (American Fork HS) post PRs of 2:16 and 2:18 in the 800-meter, 5:07 and 5:17 in the mile. Maggie McManis (Davis HS) comes in with PRs of 5:16 in the mile and and 11:09 3,200-meter.  Kamryn Watts (Hurricane HS) comes in with PRs of 5:11 and 11:14 in the mile and 3,200-meter. Brighton Glassman (South Eugene HS) and Catania Holman wrap of the distance signees with PRs of 5:12 and 5:17 in the mile and 11:14 and 11:26 in the 3,200-meter. 

Four sprinters join the T-Bird family. Ian Mack (Green Valley High School) comes in with personal bests of 10.31 in the 100-meter, 21.10 200-meter, and 47.97 400-meter. Mack comes off a phenomenal senior year winning the 100-meter at the Arcadia Invitational and the 200-meter at the Mt. SAC Relays. Brandon Harley (Centennial HS) comes in with PRs of 48.30 in the 400-meter and 22.08 in the 200-meter.

China Simmons (Millennium HS) joins the sprints team with PRs of 14.53 and 43.64 in the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles and 12.27 in the 100-meter dash. She will be joined by Megan Bedwell (Weber HS) with PRs of 14.90 and 45.49 in the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles. 

“Although it's not the biggest class, this years signees are probably one of the strongest classes we've ever signed, “head coach, Eric Houle, said. “Some of these athletes will be contenders for All-Conference position and will boost our cross country team and hopefully put us in the mix to win the track conference championship in the future.”