Track and Field Adds Three to 2022 Signing Class
Apr 05, 2022 | Track & Field
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas State track and field and cross country program signed three more student-athletes to National Letters of Intent (NLI) for the 2022-23 season, Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto announced on Wednesday morning (March 5).
Two of the individuals hail from Kansas while one will arrive from Florida.
A native of Miami, Florida, Tamaiah Koonce will be joining the Wildcats in the fall of 2022. Recording a personal best of 12.88m/42-3.25 in the shot put, Koonce placed fifth overall at the Florida Relays on March 31 to April 2. Koonce also threw a personal-best heave of 42.16m/138-4 in the discus throw at the Sam Burley Hall of Fame Invitation March 4-5 and placed first.
"We are very excited to welcome Tamaiah to our program," stated assistant coach Greg Watson. "It has been great getting to know her and her family during the recruiting process. She is very raw athletically and possesses the tools to develop into a very successful competitor, but her character and personality really stood out to us."
Cecilia Fisher of Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas placed 10th at the KSHSAA 2021 state cross country meet with a time of 18:48.7. At the same meet, she was named to the Class 6A All-State team.
"Cecilia Fisher had a strong senior cross country season finishing 10th at state," said assistant coach and head cross country coach Ryun Godfrey. "In addition, she had four races where she ran sub 19 minutes. We look forward to having Cecilia join us."
The final additional signee is Katie Schwartzkopf from Shawnee, Kansas. Schwartzkopf comes from Mill Valley High School and ran 18:00.30 at the Rim Rock Invitational hosted by Kansas in 2021. Her time ranks sixth in the top ten for the meet, just behind current K-State student-athlete Jaybe Shufelberger. The Rim Rock Invitational was on the Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas, which is a tough course for cross country runners. Closing out the cross country season, Schwartzkopf placed first at the state championships with a time of 17:51.8.
"Katie Schwartzkopf had an outstanding senior cross country season winning the state championships in 17:51.8," stated Godfrey. "In addition, Katie finished second in the Rim Rock Invitational and completing the course in 18:00.30. Her time ranks in the top-10 all-time for the storied cross country course. We look forward to having Katie join us."
Below are full profiles of each of the three signees who will join K-State in Fall 2022:
Tamaiah Koonce| Miami, Florida | North Miami Senior HS | Throws
Cecilia Fisher | Overland Park, Kansas | Blue Valley Northwest HS | Distance
Katie Schwartzkopf | Shawnee, Kansas | Mill Valley HS | Distance
For the latest on K-State Cross Country follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
Two of the individuals hail from Kansas while one will arrive from Florida.
A native of Miami, Florida, Tamaiah Koonce will be joining the Wildcats in the fall of 2022. Recording a personal best of 12.88m/42-3.25 in the shot put, Koonce placed fifth overall at the Florida Relays on March 31 to April 2. Koonce also threw a personal-best heave of 42.16m/138-4 in the discus throw at the Sam Burley Hall of Fame Invitation March 4-5 and placed first.
"We are very excited to welcome Tamaiah to our program," stated assistant coach Greg Watson. "It has been great getting to know her and her family during the recruiting process. She is very raw athletically and possesses the tools to develop into a very successful competitor, but her character and personality really stood out to us."
Cecilia Fisher of Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas placed 10th at the KSHSAA 2021 state cross country meet with a time of 18:48.7. At the same meet, she was named to the Class 6A All-State team.
"Cecilia Fisher had a strong senior cross country season finishing 10th at state," said assistant coach and head cross country coach Ryun Godfrey. "In addition, she had four races where she ran sub 19 minutes. We look forward to having Cecilia join us."
The final additional signee is Katie Schwartzkopf from Shawnee, Kansas. Schwartzkopf comes from Mill Valley High School and ran 18:00.30 at the Rim Rock Invitational hosted by Kansas in 2021. Her time ranks sixth in the top ten for the meet, just behind current K-State student-athlete Jaybe Shufelberger. The Rim Rock Invitational was on the Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas, which is a tough course for cross country runners. Closing out the cross country season, Schwartzkopf placed first at the state championships with a time of 17:51.8.
"Katie Schwartzkopf had an outstanding senior cross country season winning the state championships in 17:51.8," stated Godfrey. "In addition, Katie finished second in the Rim Rock Invitational and completing the course in 18:00.30. Her time ranks in the top-10 all-time for the storied cross country course. We look forward to having Katie join us."
Below are full profiles of each of the three signees who will join K-State in Fall 2022:
Tamaiah Koonce| Miami, Florida | North Miami Senior HS | Throws
- Personal Bests: Shot Put (12.88m/42-3.25), Discus Throw (42.16m/138-4)
- 2021 first-place recipient for shot put at the FHSAA 4A Region 4
- 2021 first-place recipient in both shot put and discus throw at the FHSAA 4A District 15
Cecilia Fisher | Overland Park, Kansas | Blue Valley Northwest HS | Distance
- Placed 10th at the KSHSAA state cross country meet
- Earned a spot on the All-State XC team for 6A
Katie Schwartzkopf | Shawnee, Kansas | Mill Valley HS | Distance
- Ran 18:00.30 at the Rim Rock Invitational
- Ranked sixth in all-time for the course.
- Placed first at state with a time of 17:51.8
For the latest on K-State Cross Country follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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