Track and Field Welcomes 13 New Members to the Women’s Side

Track and Field Welcomes 13 New Members to the Women’s Side

7/24/2018 4:43:00 PM | Women's XC/Track & Field

BOCA RATON, Fla. – With the 2018 cross country season on the horizon, Florida Atlantic University track and field and Head Coach Alex Smolka welcomes in the incoming class for the women's squad, made up of 13 newcomers.

The group is made up of nine Florida freshmen (one of which is originally from Indiana, but finished her high school career in the Sunshine State), two first-years from Germany, and a duo of transfers from the University of Auburn, one of which, Natalliah Whyte, brings with her the honor of being named an USTFCCA Indoor First Team All-American. Whyte will be a junior, while fellow new teammate Renee Shaw comes in with sophomore standing.

"We are beyond delighted to welcome our new team members to the Owl family," said Smolka.
"On paper our 2018-19 incoming class is absolutely tremendous. We are adding depth as well as academic and athletic excellence to our roster. We are adding student-athletes who bring championship experience at the highest level to our team."

The new class will join 21 returnees from a year ago. The newcomers vary in specialty, with some cross country, some only track and field, and some competing in both. Below is each new member, with their events, high school (and previous school if applicable) and hometown, and personal records in various events:

Natalliah Whyte • Sprints • St. Jago High School • University of Auburn • St. Catherine, Jamaica
PR: 60m – 7.12; 100m – 11.04; 200m – 22.55
Whyte finished second in the 100 meter dash at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2018 and will be the top ranking returner from that race in the nation for the 2018-19 season. She also claimed a third place finish at the 2018 NCAA Indoor National Championships in the 60 meters, breaking Auburn's school record, and was named USTFCCA Indoor First Team All-American. She was also fifth in the 200 meters at the 2017 SEC Outdoor Championship, and was named to the Outdoor SEC All-Freshman Team.

Renee Shaw • Sprints/Hurdles • Excelsior High School • University of Auburn • Harbour View, Jamaica
PR: 60m – 7.65; 100m – 11.81; 200m – 25.50; 100m hurdles - 13.92

Emma Brock • XC/Mid-Distance/Distance • Spanish River High School • Seymour, Ind.
PR: 5K (XC) – 20:33.17

Kailiece Harris • Heptathlon/Pentathlon • Hillsborough High School • Tampa, Fla.
PR: 55m (indoors) - 7.27; 100mH - 14.83; 100m - 13.11; 300mH - 43.10; 400m - 57.19; 400mH - 1:03.26; Long Jump - 5.54m; Triple Jump - 10.9m

Natalie Ippolito • XC/Mid-Distance/Distance • Estero High School • Estero, Fla.
PR: 5K (XC) - 21:51.30; 800m – 2:34.49; 1600m – 5:46.37; 3200m – 13:33.54

Madlen Kappeler • XC/Distance • Gymnasium Sonthofen • Vorderhindelang, Germany
PR: 5000m – 16:53; 10000m – 37:09

Prisca König • XC/Mid-Distance • Biotechnologisches Gymnasium Aalen • Aalen, Germany
PR: 800m – 2:18.08; 1500m – 4:36.77; 3000m – 10:11.83; 2000m steeplechase – 7:21.51

Lauren Macon • XC/Mid-Distance/Distance • John Carroll High School • Fort Pierce, Fla.
PR: 5K (XC) – 20:05.36; 800m – 2:31.70; 1600m – 5:30.76; 3200m – 12:16.99

Nicole Megrath • XC/Mid-Distance/Distance • Palm Beach Central High School • West Palm Beach, Fla.
PR: 5K (XC) – 19:37.11; 800m – 2:33.62; 1600m – 5:38.84; 3200m – 12:38.85; 2000m steeplechase – 7:53.65

Jamesha Moorer • Sprints • Lakewood High School • St. Petersburg, Fla.
PR: 100m – 11.84; 200m – 24:02

Kennedie Reese • Heptathlon/Pentathlon • Lake Mary High School • Sanford, Fla.
PR: 100mH – 14.46; 200m – 26.07; 300mH – 45.24; High jump – 1.52 m; Long jump – 5.1 m; Shot put – 8.66 m; Heptathlon – 3,853 points

Morgan Sharp • XC/Mid-Distance/Distance • St. Joseph Academy • St. Augustine, Fla.
PR: 5K (XC) – 20:49.29; 800m – 2:37.50; 1600m – 5:48.20; 3200m – 12:50.41

Morgan Shortridge • Jumps • Seminole Ridge High School • Loxahatchee, Fla.
PR: High jump – 1.57m

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