High Point University Athletics issued the following announcement on Aug. 11.
High Point University men's track & field adds 13 student-athletes to the 2021 signing class after winning its first-ever Big South Outdoor Track & Field title in 2021.
"We are excited to welcome in another group after a great year for us, as we essentially have the entire championship team returning," Head Coach Mike Esposito said. "With that being said we had the luxury to be very selective and got the opportunity to add some very high-level kids along with kids who we believe will develop over time to become very successful Division I athletes."
Rayan Vanderpooten
Distance | Ghent, Belgium
He was the Belgian U20 champion in 2019 in the 5000 meters. In 2021 he became the Flemish champion in the 1500m. He competed at the U23 European Championship where he finished sixth in the 3000m steeplechase.
Personal Bests
800m: 1:52.98
1000m: 2:28.32
1500m: 3:51.97
5000m: 14:50.64
3000m Steeple: 8:44.93
Lorenzo Botter
Distance | Ponzano Veneto, Italy
He is a one-time regional champion in the 1500m indoors. Outdoors he is a three-time regional champion earning the title in 2018, 2019, and 2021. He considers his biggest accomplishment so far to be his second-place finish at the international Brixia Meeting.
Personal Bests
800m: 1:53
1500m: 3:50
3000m: 8:31
Ben Dertinger
Distance | Schroeder (Le Moyne) | Webster, New York
Comes to High Point after spending two years at Le Moyne. Recorded high school personal bests of 4:21.67 for 1600 and 1:59.10. He scored in two events at the Northeast 10 Indoor Championships at Lemoyne.
Personal Bests
800m: 1:58.55
1500m: 4:03.66
5K: 14:.50.23
8K: 26:10.3
Alex Hoffman
Throws | Monroe | Ruckersville, Virginia
He is a two-time Virginia Class 3 Shot Put state champion.
Personal Best
Weight Throw: 18.28m (60'0)
Shot Put: 17.19m (56'4)
Discus: 47.36m (155-4')
Landon Williams
Sprints | Forsyth | Winston Salem, North Carolina
Was a three-sport athlete in high school running both track and cross country while also being the center for the basketball team. Earned all-conference (PTAC) honors in track as a sophomore and senior. Earned All-State (NCISAA 3A) honors his senior season. He is a state champion in the 110m hurdles with a time of 15.38. He is the conference record holder for the 110m hurdles and the 300m hurdles. During his high school career, he helped lead Forsyth to an NCISAA 3A State Championship and four straight conference championships.
Personal Bests
110m Hurdles: 15.38
300m Hurdles: 41.06
Kyler Koning
Distance | Westfield | Westfield, Indiana
Earned All-Sectional honors three years in a row. As a senior earned All-Regional honors. Helped lead his 4x800 team to the Indiana State championship and placed fourth.
Personal Bests
400: 53.4
800: 1:58.3
1600: 4:29
3200: 9:44
5000: 16:14
Graham Ferguson
Distance | Franklin | Franklin, Tennessee
Helped lead his high school team to a runner-up finish at the 2020 state of Tennessee cross country meet. Member of 4x800 team that finished second at the state championship.
Personal Bests
800m: 1:56.4
1600m: 4:25.4
3200m: 9:43
5k: 15:54
Whit Rhodes
Distance | Farragut | Knoxville, Tennessee
A four-sport athlete in high school as he ran track and cross country while also playing basketball and football. He was a Member of the State Qualifying Cross Country team for 3 years and a Member of the state qualifying 4 x 800 m relay. He helped his team to a runner-up team finish at the Tennessee State Championships.
Personal Bests
5K-17:47
800m-2:09
3200m- 10:54
Aidan Britt
Sprints | Dover Sherborn | Dover, Massachusetts
Three-sport high school athlete as he played football, hockey, and ran track.
Personal Bests
55m: 7.02
100m: 11.2
200m: 22.4
300m: 36.98
400m: 50.7
600m: 1:27.23
800m: 2:04.45
Lucas Barnes
Distance | Rogers | Newport, Rhode Island
A four-sport athlete in high school as he played tennis, both track and cross country, as well as soccer. Holds the 4x800m school record.
Personal Bests
400m: 53
800m: 2:04
1500m: 4:22
3000m: 9:38
Chase Barajas
Distance | Weddington | Waxhaw, North Carolina
He earned All-Conference honors in the NCHSAA Southern Conference 12 times. He earned All-State honors indoors in 1000, and All-State honors outdoors in 1600. He earned 2021 All-region honors in both the 800 and 1600. He was a part of 7 team state championships with Weddington (three indoor, two outdoor, two cross country)
Personal Bests
400m- 52.86
800m- 1:58.04
1600m: 4:24.01
3200m: 9:49
5000m: 16:06
Lawson McCorqudale
Sprints | Cornerstone Charter| Kernersville, North Carolina
He was a state qualifier in 2021 in both the 200m and the long jump. He was the 200m regional champion in 2021. In 2021 he won the individual conference titles winning the 200m, long jump and was a member of the conference winning 4x100 team. He was All-Conference in the 200M, 4x200 4by100, and Long jump sophomore through senior years as well as the conference record holder in the 200m (23.6) and Long jump (20'8).
Personal Bests
100m: 11.6
200m: 23.6
Long jump: 6.30m
Reilly Mazzetti
Sprints | Wallkill | Wallkill, New York
He earned All-American honors with his club Newburgh Elite Track Club. He placed 4th at AAU 15-16 division 4x4. Three-sport athlete running track indoor and outdoors while also playing a year of soccer.
Personal Bests
200m: 23.01
300m: 36.15
400m: 51.01
600m: 1:26.4
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