Alford-Sullivan Unveils 2019 Women's Signing Class

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee director of track & field Beth Alford-Sullivan has announced the addition of 16 signees for the program's 2019 women's recruiting class. The group includes elite talent from around the globe across all disciplines of the sport - sprints, jumps, throws and distance.

"This recruiting class of 2019, including our mid-year enrollees this January, is the best I have ever seen on the women's side," Alford-Sullivan said. "I would venture to rank it as one of, if not the best-ever recruiting class for Tennessee. We're excited to see the future evolve here at Tennessee in our sport of track & field and cross country.

"Credit goes to the assistant coaches that just came in and hit the ground running. Ken Harnden and David Neville have worked very, very hard securing the future Vols in our sprints, hurdles and relays squad. Travis Geopfert has also stepped in and completely filled out our jumps squad to the highest of levels. Recruiting coordinator and assistant coach Ryan Foster solidified us with some great mid-distance and distance runners, and our throws coach John Newell continues to bring in the top-end throwers for us.

"When you round this class out with our returners, our future looks very, very good on Rocky Top."

The class features several high school All-Americans, state champions and all-state performers. 16-year-old international standout Joella Lloyd and Chilean national record holder Martina Weil will join the Big Orange as mid-year enrollees, eligible to compete during the 2019 indoor season. The rest of the class will arrive on campus in the fall of 2019.

A full breakdown of UT's women's signees can be found below. A release featuring the men's signing class will be shared at a later date.

For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee track & field, follow @Vol_Track on Twitter.
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Jada Chambers
Cypress, Texas (Cypress Falls High School)
Field of Study: Geology and Environmental Studies
Event: Sprints
PRs:
400m – 53.84

Notables:
• Third place in the 400m at the Texas 6A state championships and winner of the 3-6A regional championship as a junior last season
• Member of Cypress Falls' distinguished honor roll (all As) for 10 semesters and ranked in the top 5 percent of the class; also a member of the Science National Honor Society
• Two-year member of the school's drumline as part of the marching band

Chambers: "From the moment I stepped off my plane in Knoxville, there was a buzz in the air. After spending time with all the coaches and the team, I knew the University of Tennessee was home."

Coach Sullivan: "Jada's an outstanding student athlete. She's got great range on the track, and also combines her athletic talents with great academic goals. We are thrilled that she has chosen Tennessee, as she's a proven competitor ranking as the number 8 high school 400-meter runner in the class of 2019."
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Ainsley Cooper
Pfafftown, N.C. (Ronald Wilson Reagan High School)
Field of Study: Kinesiology/Exercise Science
Event: Distance/Cross Country
PRs:
1600m – 5:04.92
3200m – 11:03.46
5K – 18:54.91

Notables:
• All-American at 2018 New Balance Indoor Nationals
• North Carolina All-State in 1600m and 3200m
• 2018 Cross Country Conference Runner of the Year

Cooper: "I love the town of Knoxville and The University of Tennessee! I love the balance of strong athletics and academics that Tennessee has. I love the coaches and the team, and I can't wait to join such an awesome group of people!"

Coach Sullivan: "This is a great pickup for us. Both of her parents are Tennessee alums. Ainsley is going to be a very strong mid-distance and distance runner for us here at Tennessee. She will step in with the cross country season in the fall, and then on the track, you'll see her be a mile and 5K specialist as we roll through her career."
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Chandler Hayden
Pittsfield, Ill. (Pittsfield High School)
Field of Study: Business
Event: Throws
PRs:
Hammer Throw – 53.34m (175-0)
Weight Throw – 17.83m (58-6)
Shot Put – 13.62m (44-8.5)
Discus – 42.36m (139-0)

Notables:
• Illinois All-State in shot put and discus
• Third in weight throw at 2018 New Balance Indoor Nationals
• Member of Pittsfield's honor roll and the jazz band, pep band and marching band (plays saxophone and ukulele)

Hayden: "I chose the University of Tennessee because of how much I felt at home. The staff truly made me feel welcome and I am so grateful for that. They made me feel as though I belonged and that UT was the place I should be. I also felt safe at UT. Everyone was just so kind and thoughtful. I also had faith in the coach. Coach Newell really feels like he knows what he is doing and I feel as though he is going to make my four years the best they can be."

Coach Sullivan: "Chandler was just an absolute joy to recruit. She brings to the table not only a lot of success and talents in the hammer and weight throw, but also a ton of energy and excitement to be part of the Tennessee Vol squad.
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Prommyse Hoosier
Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central High School)
Field of Study: Sport Management
Event: Long Jump
PRs:
Long Jump – 20-6.75 (6.26m)
100m – 12.1
200m – 25.3

Notables:
• Two-time Indiana State High School Champ in long jump
• Third in long jump at the USATF U20 Championships
• Also a four-year member of Warren Central's volleyball team

Hoosier: "I chose Tennessee because I love the coaches and team. I also love the facilities."

Coach Sullivan: "Prommyse brings another level to the jumps squad. She is the definition of perseverance with an amazing recovery from injury her junior year. Despite the setback, she is a proven competitor - finishing third at the USATF Junior National Championships this summer. I think she will develop into an NCAA/SEC-level athlete with the Vols and continue to make our jumps squad one of the best in the nation."
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Shatara Johnson
Riverdale, Ga. (Charles R. Drew High School)
Field of Study: Biology
Event: Sprints/Jumps
PRs:
400m – 55.23
200m – 24.23
Long Jump – 6.32m (20-9)

Notables:
• Five-time All-American
• Three-time Georgia state high school champion
• Competed at AAU nationals and USATF nationals

Johnson: "I chose to attend the University of Tennessee because of how successful they were, as well as the coaching staff/location."

Coach Sullivan: "I expect Shatara to be just wonderful at UT. She will be an athlete that I think will get better and better throughout each season, and improve upon her long jump championship results. She's a hard worker and a proven competitor - winning three state titles in both the springs and jumps in the very competitive state of Georgia."
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Joella Lloyd
St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda (Antigua Girls' High School)
Field of Study: Neuroscience
Event: Sprints
PRs:
100m – 11.61
200m – 24.01
400m – 54.20

Notables:
• 2016 CARIFTA Games - 100m Bronze Medalist
• 2017 CARIFTA Games - 100m Silver Medalist, 200m Bronze Medalist
• 2016 Caribbean Union Of Teachers Biennial Track and Field Championship U15 Girls Division Champion
• 2016 Caribbean Union Of Teachers Biennial Track and Field Championship Victrix Ludorum (won gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m)
• 2017 Coca Cola Inter-school Track and Field MVP
• 2016 Tropical Shipping National Youth Athletics Championship
• 2016 National Jr. Sportswoman of the Year (SuperNova Club)

Lloyd: "I chose to attend the University of Tennessee because I heard of the incredible success of the track and field program and esteemed history of academic excellence."

Coach Sullivan: "At only 16 years old, Joella is simply amazing. She's here, settling into the new semester. Her times are a great starting point, and I'm confident she'll be rewriting the record books in her near future."
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Kathleen Maley
Sandy Springs, Ga. (Marist School)
Field of Study: Audiology & Speech Pathology
Event: Distance/Cross Country
PRs:
1600m – 5:03.30
3200m – 11:29.44
5000m – 18:21.57

Notables:
• 2018 Georgia Class AAAA State Cross Country Champion
• 2017 Georgia Class AAAA State Cross Country Runner-Up
• 3-time Cross Country All Region and All-Metro (2016, 2017, 2018)
• Member of four Georgia cross country state championship teams
• 2017 State Champion – 1600m
• 2-time track all-state (2017, 2018)
• Member of Marist's FCA (officer) and the Student-Athlete Leadership Team

Maley: "I chose the University of Tennessee because of the wide variety of athletic and academic opportunities. Ever since the first time I walked on campus, I felt at home. The team is so fun to be around and the coaching staff is amazing. I could tell the team spirit is something special and something that I want to be a part of."

Coach Sullivan: "Kathleen is also joining us from the great state of Georgia. She's a young woman that has a huge upswing in the middle-to-long distances. She'll join our class in the fall for cross country, and we're thrilled to have her joining us."
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Latavia Maines
Centralia, Ill. (Centralia High School/Barton Community College)
Event: Throws
PRs:
Shot Put – 16.46m (54-0)
Discus – 41.35m (135-8)

Notables:
• 2018 NJCAA shot put national runner-up for Barton CC
• Helped Barton CC to a second-place team finish at nationals
• Two-time Illinois state champ in shot put

Coach Sullivan: "Latavia is a wonderful young woman. Her time at Barton Community College has developed her into a top-level thrower. She will become a great Division I athlete for us in the future. I'm thrilled she's joining us as a UT thrower, and also as such a great young person."
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Jensen Overbay
Sevierville, Tenn. (Sevier County High School)
Field of Study: Medicine
Event: Middle Distance/Cross Country
PRs:
400m – 57.14
800m – 2:19.53

Notables:
• Three-time Tennessee All-State
• Three-time All-District Cross Country
• Two-time New Balance Nationals Qualifier
• Also swam and played basketball for Sevier County
• Academic honors include Valedictorian and a member of the National Honors Society, Science National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society

Overbay: "I chose to attend the University of Tennessee because I have grown up cheering on the Volunteers, and I want to excel in my athletics and academics. I look forward to the challenges that this elite institution has to offer."

Coach Sullivan: "Jensen is a local Tennessee Vol already. She has grown up in the area and developed into the mid-distance range, showing that she can be successful in the future."
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Allison Rand
Horton, Mich. (Jackson Lumen Christi Catholic School)
Field of Study: Business
Event: Middle Distance/Cross Country
PRs:
800m – 2:12.71
1600m – 5:06.37
5K (XC) – 19:22.2

Notables:
• 2018 All-State (800m, 1600m)
• 2018 – State champion/school record in the 4x400m relay
• 2016, 17, 18 All-State (4x400m Relay)
• 2018 New Balance National Outdoors – competed in emerging elite 800m
• Ranked No. 1 in her class academically and is a member of the student council

Rand: "The University of Tennessee felt like home to me from my first visit. After meeting the coaching staff, I knew I would be supported and pushed to reach my full potential. I also felt an immediate connection with the team. The energy and commitment that current athletes have for the sport was unparalleled. The University of Tennessee has an excellent business school that will help me achieve my academic goals."

Coach Sullivan: "Allison was so much fun to recruit. She was all Vol, all the way through. We're thrilled to pick her up from Michigan. We've got great history of wonderful people joining us from the great state of Michigan, so we're thrilled to have her. I think she's going to be a great addition here on Rocky Top."
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Skyler Reynolds
Manassas, Va. (Osbourn High)
Field of Study: Criminology
Event: Jumps
PRs:
Long Jump – 5.79m (19-0)

Notables:
• Ranked No. 7 in U.S. Girls indoor long jump in 2018
• Osbourn Park High School – Indoor Long Jump Record
• Member of Osbourn Park HS team for 4 years, serving as captain for one
• With PWC Panthers, competed at the USATF Junior Nationals in the long jump and 400m

Reynolds: "I chose Tennessee because of the resources that will help me become an Olympian."

Coach Sullivan: "Skyler has all it takes to become a great Tennessee Vol. She's talented and raw, and we are confident she will develop into a great long jump and/or combined event athlete for us."
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Erin Spreen
Wake Forest, N.C. (Wake Forest HS)
Field of Study: Exploratory Sudies
Event: Distance/Cross Country
PRs:
800m – 2:23
1600m – 5:15
3200m – 11:15
5000m – 18:15

Notables:
• North Carolina All-State in cross country
• All-Region and All-Conference in track
• Four-time state qualifier in the 1600m and 5000m
• Member of National Honors Society, Project Unify and Beta Club

Spreen: "I loved the campus, academic programs, athletic facilities and coaches. It just felt like home."

Coach Sullivan: "Erin is a great student-athlete. It's really fun to pick up a developing distance runner out of the state of North Carolina."
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Vanessa Watson
Rochester, N.Y. (Spencerport High School)
Field of Study: Business
Event: Sprints/Hurdles
PRs:
400m – 54.58
400m Hurdles – 57.77
500m – 1:12.83
600m – 1:30.09

Notables:
• 2018 All-America Team
• 2018 USATF All-American
• 2018 400m hurdles New York state outdoor champion
• 2018 600m New York state indoor champion
• 13-time sectional champion
• Member of National Honors Society and president of D.A.S.H. to Change (multicultural education group)

Watson: "I am confident that the University of Tennessee has everything I need in order to continue to become a better student, a better athlete, a better person, and most importantly the best possible version of myself. Tennessee truly feels like a home away from home and I am excited for my future as a Vol!"

Coach Sullivan: "Vanessa is a great addition to Vols' sprints and hurdles squad. She was a fit for UT Track & Field the moment I met her and her family. She brings talent, hard work and the ability to focus on what it takes to be great. New York is thick with talent in track & field, and I am thrilled that we have the number two U.S. high school 400-meter hurdler joining us down here in the South."
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Martina Weil
Santiago, Chile (Villa Maria Academy)
Field of Study: Biochemical Engineering
Event: Sprints
PRs:
400m – 52.60
200m – 23.78

Notables:
• 400m Chilean national record holder (52.60)
• 2018 U23 South American 400m champ
• 2018 Athlete of the Year - Circle of Sports Journalists (Chile)
• National-level basketball player
• Daughter of two Olympians: sprinter Ximena Restrepo and shot put thrower Gert Weil; Ximena took bronze in the 400m at the 1992 Games for Colombia, the nation's first athletics medal. She was a 1991 NCAA champion in the 400m at Nebraska. Gert placed 6th at the 1988 Games in Seoul, South Korea.

Weil: "I chose Tennessee because I loved the team and the coaches, and I felt it is a place where I can achieve my full potential!"

Coach Sullivan: "We're so excited Martina will be here this semester. She's an amazing young woman. Everyone who met her while she was on her visit absolutely loved her. Her performance shows that she is ready to step in and be a contender at the SEC and NCAA levels, and I can't wait to see her in the Orange and White."
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Britton Wilson
Henrico, Va. (Mills Godwin High School)
Field of Study: Psychology
Event: Sprints/Hurdles
PRs:
400m Hurdles – 57.95
200m – 24.13
400m – 53.63

Notables:
• Three-time Virginia state champion, two in the 200m and one in the 400m
• Ranked No. 1 in U.S. high school indoor 500m
• Richmond Times-Dispatch All-Metro Outdoor Track & Field

Wilson: ""I chose Tennessee because I fell in love with the campus and the facilities. I really admire the coaching staff and how they work with the athletes!"

Coach Sullivan: "When Britton called my cell phone to inform me she was choosing to attend UT, I picked up the phone and she was singing Rocky Top. She'll be an amazing Vol, and is not only talented, but also driven, competitive and composed. She's a proven competitor with amazing versatility, as she's ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. in both the 400 and 400 hurdles. Can't wait to have her here on Rocky Top."
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Alyssa Wolf
Brunswick, Ohio (Brunswick High School)
Field of Study: Dietetics
Event: Distance/Cross Country
PRs:
3200m – 10:27
800m – 2:16
1600m – 5:01
5K (cross country) – 18:00

Notables:
• Ohio state champion in the 3200m
• 2018 Ohio All-State
• Medina County Gazette's Athlete of the Sprint
• Also a member of Brunswick's swimming team

Wolf: "I loved the team, coaches, the campus and the overall atmosphere of Tennessee. I wanted to go somewhere that had my major, of course, but, I also wanted to go to a school with an athletic program that will push me to become better and good people that I want to be around."

Coach Sullivan: "Alyssa has an unbelievable amount of talent. She did not lose a race on her way to becoming a state champion in Ohio - a state known for its great distance-running history. She's broken the 10:30 barrier in the two-mile. I think her range from the 800 through cross country in high school is going to give us a great opportunity to mold her into a very productive Vol."

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