WKU Cross Country/Track & Field 2021-22 signing class update

Drew Toennies, Sports reporter

The WKU Cross Country/Track & Field program announced the addition of thrower Aitana Safont Falomir from Spain to its 2021-22 signing class.

“Aitana is an extremely talented hammer thrower that will immediately add depth and should contend for All Conference,” WKU Director of Cross Country/Track and Field Brent Chumbley said in a press release.

Falomir joins a large list of incoming student-athletes who are joining WKU’s ranks for the upcoming year.

Incoming freshman and native of Columbus, Indiana Collin Pruitt is one of the newest additions to the roster. Pruitt is a distance runner and is a graduate of Columbus North High School.

“Collin will be joining WKU next fall to give a boost to our cross-country roster. I could see him being a top-five contributor right away to help us move up the conference rankings,” coach Brooks Lecompte said in a press release. “He’s the start of what will be a great 2021 incoming class.”

Edgewood, Kentucky native and Dixie Heights High School graduate Allison Arnett is another incoming freshman joining the roster for the upcoming season. Arnett specializes in jumps.

“Allison is one of the best high jumpers in the state of Kentucky and will be favored to win the state competition,” Chumbley said. “She is the top returning senior and has a PR of 5’ 8”. She can make an immediate impact for us in C-USA. We can’t wait to get her on The Hill.”

Ines Lopez Arias is an incoming freshman from Madrid, Spain. She specializes in throws.

“Ines is a great addition for us,” LeCompte said. “Her experience on the international stage will help the team and throwing group in several ways. We are excited that she chose The Hill to continue her throwing career.”

The program has also signed Elyssa Toal, a distance runner from St. Louis, Missouri, a graduate from Incarnate Word Academy.

“Elyssa Toal is a versatile middle-distance athlete who will bring a tough work ethic and unique dynamic to the team. Not only will she make up my 800m training group, but I also feel she will be able to add depth to the cross-country roster right away,” LeCompte said. “Elyssa brings a lot to the table for WKU, and I am excited to help her reach her full potential.”

Ajla Basic, another signee, is an incoming freshman from Bosnia who specializes in hammer throws.

“Ajla is an excited hammer thrower from Bosnia,” Chumbley said. “She has all-conference numbers right now and will make a big impact for the team. We cannot wait to get her on The Hill!”

Abigail Green, a Huntsville, Alabama native and graduate of Huntsville High School, is an incoming freshman who will be specializing in both middle distance running and throws.

“Abigail is a versatile athlete who is not only improving greatly in the middle distances but is also growing into a very competitive javelin thrower and hurdler”, LeCompte said. “She will be able to help fill voids in many areas for our track team and will also be develop into a solid addition to the cross-country roster. I am excited to begin working with Abigail this fall.”

Ilana Anderson is a signee from St. Albert, Alberta, an incoming sophomore who is transferring to WKU from Midwestern State. Anderson specializes in throws.

“Ilana is a talented young hammer and weight thrower that will give us that needed depth in the throwing group,” Chumbley said. “She’s joining a great signing class, and we can’t wait to have her on The Hill come this fall.”

Eron Carter is an incoming senior from Palatka, Florida who is transferring in from Arkansas State. Carter will be competing in throwing.

“Eron has a ton of experience in multiple throwing events,” Chumbley said. “Adding Eron to our squad should help us strengthen our throwing group and make a big statement next year.”

Madeline Powell is an incoming freshman from Louisville, Kentucky, a graduate of Assumption High School. Powell will be added to the roster as a distance runner.

“Madeline is one of the top 800m runners in Kentucky for the class of 2021 despite her PR coming from her sophomore season,” LeCompte said. “Her being a part of my newly formed 800m training group will help not only elevate her fitness but also push the others to faster PRs. Madeline could potentially help in cross country and run the mile/1500m as well. We are lucky to have a local talent like Madeline joining us next fall.”

Incoming sophomore and distance runner Brad Wiggins will be joining WKU after spending a season at Coastal Carolina University. Wiggins is a native of Oswego, Illinois and graduated from Oswego East High School.

“Brad will be a fall 2021 transfer from Coastal Carolina but will have full eligibility when he arrives to WKU. Brad will add some youth and depth to the men’s team for cross country and could potentially score on the conference level for track,” LeCompte said. “Brad is mature, tough and has a good sense of what he wants to accomplish as a collegiate athlete and that makes him a great asset to the team.”

Queen Couch is an incoming freshman from Atlanta, Georgia, a graduate of Maynard H. Jackson High School. Couch will be added to the team as a sprinter.

“”I’m really looking forward to how Queen develops and improves as she comes to The Hill. I plan on her being a great addition to our group,” coach Tosha Ansley said.

Mary Die is an incoming freshman from DuPont Manual High School and a native of Louisville, Kentucky. Die is a distance runner.

“Mary is another solid Kentucky signee who will add depth to our growing cross-country team and has potential to run well in the longer distances on the track,” LeCompte said. She’s been a consistent performer and leader for her high school team, and I feel she will be a huge part of our improvement as a team within the conference.”

Burlington, Illinois native and Burlington Central High School graduate Lauren Dowd is an incoming freshman who will be competing in middle distance running.

“Having Lauren Dowd in our 2021 freshman class adds another member to the 800m training group. This group will consist of four freshmen who will train together and push to make finals in C-USA and further,” LeCompte said. “Lauren’s PRs are from her sophomore year as COVID-19 took away hers and other signees’ junior year. I fully expect her to make huge strides in her first year on The Hill, and the years to follow.”

Keegan Barnette is an incoming freshman and distance runner from Parkersburg, West Virginia, where he graduated from Parkersburg High School.

“Keegan is arguably the top distance runner in West Virginia and will make an immediate impact on our men’s distance program,” LeCompte said. “He is just scratching the surface of his potential and I am excited to have him joining us on The Hill next fall.”

Demetrius Rolle, a sprinter hailing from the Bahamas, is transferring to WKU from Cowley College for the upcoming 2021-22 season.

“I’m excited to see how he contributes here at WKU,” Ansley said.

Sports reporter Drew Toennies can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @drew_toennies.