Kansas State University Athletics
Geopfert Signs Olympic and Big 12 Champion High Jumpers
Apr 14, 2025 | Track & Field
Raats and Loudermilk will join an extensive 2025-26 signing class
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Travis Geopfert announced on Monday (April 14) the addition of two elite high jumpers, both with personal bests of 2.26m (7'5"), to an already star-studded 2025-26 incoming class.
2024 Paris Olympics finalist Brian Raats and three-time NCAA First Team All-American and two-time Big 12 Champion Devin Loudermilk.
Raats, a 21-year-old from Pretoria, South Africa, finished 12th overall in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. With a personal best of 2.26 meters (7' 5"), he is one of the best in the world. A South African national champion, World U-20 Championships silver medalist and African Championships gold medalist, Raats knows how to find his way to the top of the awards podium. Ratts is a model of consistency having jumped over 2.20m (7' 2.50") on 23 different occasions. Like many other Kansas State recruits, he will come to Manhattan as an immediate threat for a Big 12 title and NCAA title.
"Brian is one of the best high jumpers in the world. This young man has proven time and again that he knows how to compete," Geopfert said. "As a 20-year-old on the world's biggest stage last year he made the Olympic final, it simply doesn't get any better than that. He is a highly motivated, extremely talented young man that's eager to show the world what he can do. Couldn't be more excited Brian is joining us here in Manhattan."
Loudermilk, a Howard, Kan., native and University of Kansas graduate transfer has recently signed with Kansas State. The three-time NCAA First Team All-American, four-time All-Big 12 finisher and 2.26 meters (7' 5") high jumper has been a dominate force on the conference and national scene for many years. In 2024, Loudermilk swept the indoor and outdoor Big 12 conference titles in the high jump. His highest finish at the NCAA Championships was 3rd, a feat he achieved consecutive years during the 2023 and 2024 indoor seasons.
"We are absolutely thrilled that Devin is coming to join us at K-State. It's been a pleasure getting to know him and learn more about his future goals," Geopfert said. "To say that Devin is motivated would be an understatement. He's a Kansas kid seeing the huge benefits of training with some of the best jumpers in world right here in Manhattan, Kansas. He's a humble and talented young man that is excited to make his family proud as he continues to prove himself on the biggest stages both on the NCAA and global levels. We're thrilled he has chosen to join our program at K-State to help him achieve his elite goals."
Raats and Loudermilk join a 2025-26 signing class of 26 incoming athletes.
-- k-statesports.com --
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
2024 Paris Olympics finalist Brian Raats and three-time NCAA First Team All-American and two-time Big 12 Champion Devin Loudermilk.
Raats, a 21-year-old from Pretoria, South Africa, finished 12th overall in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. With a personal best of 2.26 meters (7' 5"), he is one of the best in the world. A South African national champion, World U-20 Championships silver medalist and African Championships gold medalist, Raats knows how to find his way to the top of the awards podium. Ratts is a model of consistency having jumped over 2.20m (7' 2.50") on 23 different occasions. Like many other Kansas State recruits, he will come to Manhattan as an immediate threat for a Big 12 title and NCAA title.
"Brian is one of the best high jumpers in the world. This young man has proven time and again that he knows how to compete," Geopfert said. "As a 20-year-old on the world's biggest stage last year he made the Olympic final, it simply doesn't get any better than that. He is a highly motivated, extremely talented young man that's eager to show the world what he can do. Couldn't be more excited Brian is joining us here in Manhattan."
Loudermilk, a Howard, Kan., native and University of Kansas graduate transfer has recently signed with Kansas State. The three-time NCAA First Team All-American, four-time All-Big 12 finisher and 2.26 meters (7' 5") high jumper has been a dominate force on the conference and national scene for many years. In 2024, Loudermilk swept the indoor and outdoor Big 12 conference titles in the high jump. His highest finish at the NCAA Championships was 3rd, a feat he achieved consecutive years during the 2023 and 2024 indoor seasons.
"We are absolutely thrilled that Devin is coming to join us at K-State. It's been a pleasure getting to know him and learn more about his future goals," Geopfert said. "To say that Devin is motivated would be an understatement. He's a Kansas kid seeing the huge benefits of training with some of the best jumpers in world right here in Manhattan, Kansas. He's a humble and talented young man that is excited to make his family proud as he continues to prove himself on the biggest stages both on the NCAA and global levels. We're thrilled he has chosen to join our program at K-State to help him achieve his elite goals."
Raats and Loudermilk join a 2025-26 signing class of 26 incoming athletes.
-- k-statesports.com --
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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