CHENEY, Wash. — Eastern Washington University director and head coach of track and field Erin Tucker officially welcomed 37 new student-athletes to the program this summer, adding a wealth of talent ahead of the 2023-24 season. Cross country's 2023 campaign is already underway and the indoor track and field slate is expected to begin in
 
 "I am really excited about this recruiting class," said Tucker. "We set out to build a foundation for the future of this team and we sure did that."
 
The incoming group of newcomers include 17 for the women and 20 on the men's side.
 
"Everyone we signed understands my vision for the program and they have their marching orders for the mission," Tucker continued. "The mission is to be Big Sky Champs, a consistent top-25 NCAA program, maintain over a 3.0 GPA and be active role models in the community.
 
"We will strive every day to be the best 'student hyphen athletes' we can be with Eastern's four 'Gs': Grit, Grace, Gratitude, and Greatness. Go Eags!"
 
Class of 2023 Summary & Coach Notes 
 
Kambree Blair
Prosser, WA
Prosser HS
TJ: 35'10, LJ: 16'11
 
From Coach Brinson: "Kambree is a young and hardworking young lady. Excited to see what is in store for her at Eastern."
 
Takiyah Blue
Seattle, WA
Middle College HS
100m:12.23, 200m: 24.49, 400m: 56.78
 
From Coach Tucker: "Takiyah is going to be a problem in this league. I am super excited to have her on campus."
 
Kylie Castleman
Maple Valley, WA
Tahoma HS
1600m: 5:15, 3200m: 11:22, 5k XC: 19:02
 
From Coach Read: "Kylie and Sara are both part of 4A State Champion XC team. She is a great addition to the group."

Zoe Dunn
The Dalles, OR
The Dalles HS
LJ: 7' 10, TJ: 37' 8.25
 
From Coach Brinson: "Zoe is an amazing addition to the Flight Crew. Excited to see her grow."
 
Breanna Hurajt
Yelm, WA
Yelm HS
100HH: 16.1, HJ: 4'2,  LJ: 16' 5, 400m: 1:02, 200m: 27.2, 100m: 13.4, 400IH: 1:09.4, 300IH: 47.4, Jav: 69' 2, 800m: 2:56.6, Heptathlon: 3119
 
From Coach Tutson: "Multi-talented Breanna will join the bomb squad's javelin crew with nothing but untapped potential and unmatched determination to score big for the Eags."
 
Kailee Kellum
Valentine, NV
Moses Lake HS
LJ: 17-6.25, HJ: 5'2
 
From Coach Brinson: "Kailee is a raw jumper who catches on quickly. Super excited to see her improve her marks."
 
Kelsey Lovercheck
Pendelton, OR
Pendelton HS // Michigan Tech
PV: 11' 9.75"

From Coach Allison: "Kelsey is a student of the event who's made great improvements in the past year.  She's a hard worker.  We're looking forward to watching her improve and compete for championships in the Big Sky."
 
Sydney MacDonald
Moses Lake, WA
Moses Lake HS
100HH: 15.99, HJ: 5'2
 
From Coach Brinson: "Sydney will be converting to the combine events her experience in hurdles and high jump will help the transition into the Heptathlon."
 
Ashley Perez
Othello, WA
SP: 33' 7.5, Discus: 121' 6 , Javelin: 101' 2
 
From Coach Tutson: "After a year off, transfer Ashley Perez is ready to take back the ring and take the Big Sky by storm."
 
Adrienne Root
Oak Harbor, WA
Oak Harbor HS
3200m: 11:54.38, 5k XC: 18:33
 
From Coach Read: "Adrienne is extremely hungry after her high school senior season. She is excited and ready to go."
 
Sara Sanders
Maple Valley, WA
Tahoma HS
1600m-4:58, 3200m-10:51, 5k XC-18:28
 
From Coach Read: "The Tahoma Bear connection is alive and kicking. We are excited for the future."
 
Egypt Simmons
Aurora, CO
Lutheran HS Parker // University of Hawaii
TJ: 40'11.75, LJ: 19'4
 
From Coach Brinson: "Egypt is one of my heavy hitters coming in. Her experience and hunger will contribute points on the women's side in jumps!"
 
Grace Stoddart
Bozeman, MT
Bozeman HS // IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) 
PV: 12' 3 .75"
 
From Coach Allison: "Grace is coming to us from Bozeman via the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. She made great improvement in Florida this past year and we look forward to her carrying on the strong EWU women's vault tradition."
 
Ella Swanson
Spokane, WA
Lewis and Clark HS
1600m: 5:29, 5k XC: 18:54
 
From Coach Read: "Keeping the LCHS connection alive. She is a great addition to the group."
 
Tatiyanna Wadley
Yelm, WA
Yelm HS
Hammer: 128'4, SP: 34'2, Discus: 92'7
 
From Coach Tutson: "Incoming first-year student Tatiyanna Wadley will be a formidable force in the Big Sky in the hammer throw and has potential to be a future leader of this team."
 
Hannah Watson
Overton, NV
Moapa Valley HS // University of Nevada Reno
PV: 11'10.75"
 
From Coach Allison: "Hannah is transferring from Nevada-Reno to the Big Sky conference looking for the increased competition. We look forward to her being a strong competitor for EWU in the conference."
 
Suzi Woodall 
Boise, ID
Boise, HS
PV: 12' 2"

From Coach Allison: "Suzi is a well-rounded athlete who comes from a strong Boise pole vault club. She capped her season with a 2nd-place finish at the Idaho State Championship. We look forward to her joining the Eagle vault squad and becoming a force in the Big Sky."
 

 
MEN
 
Rami Balti
Boussalem, Tunisia
200m: 21.52, 400m: 46.62, 400IH: 53.51
 
From Coach Tucker: "I am excited to have a guy like Rami commit to us. With his international experience he will put the Big Sky on notice!"
 
Jayden Barta
Spokane, WA
West Valley HS
LJ: 22'9.25, 200m: 22.46, 400m: 48.32
 
From Coach Brinson: "Jayden is a talented young man ready to add more events and accolades to his name."
 
Nic Cunningham
Arlington, WA
Arlington HS
LJ: 21'6, TJ: 42'10.5, HJ: 5'10
 
From Coach Brinson: "Nic is a raw athlete who is ready to learn and improve his marks. Super excited to have Nic joint the Flight Crew."
 
Trevor Fry
Boise, ID
Borah Senior HS
Discus: 150'1, SP: 50'1.5"
 
From Coach Tutson: "First-year student Trevor Fry will be joining the bomb squad looking to make some noise in the shot put and discus. Already showing signs of a great work ethic, we expect we won't have any issues hearing him loud and clear."
 
Owen Higgins
Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Maritzburg College
400m: 49.93, 800m: 1:50.76
 
From Coach Read: "Coming in from South Africa and just wants to run fast!"
 
John Hoffer
Olympia, WA 
Tumwater HS 
1600m: 4:19, 2 Mile: 9:18, 5k XC: 15:39
 
From Coach Read: "Rocks a sweet mullet!"
 
Colin Hughes
Wellpinit, WA
Wellpinit HS
100m: 12.20, LJ: 19-7.75, TJ: 40-7.75, 300IH: 41.76, 110HH: 16.24, Discus: 78-3, Jav: 119-8, 800m: 2:04.79 
 
From Coach Brinson: "Adding another raw athlete to our multi group… we are excited to watch him develop."
 
Wayne Jamison
Portland, OR
Westview HS // Olympic College
200m: 22.5, 400m: 50.1, 100m: 11.1, LJ: 23.7'5
 
From Coach Brinson: "Wayne is an amazing addition to the Flight Crew; he has collegiate experience and will definitely contribute points on the jumps side."
 
CJ Krzanowicz
Buffalo, NY
Cheektowaga Central HS // Spire Academy (Geneva, OH)
LJ: 23'0
 
From Coach Brinson: "CJ is a workhorse and hungry to improve his marks. Great addition to the Flight Crew."
 
Nathan Kuhnau
Lakebay, WA
Peninsula HS
110HH: 15.89, 300IH: 38.31
 
From Coach Tucker: "Nathan was my first sprint/hurdle commit. He started the train and he is going to have a great career here!"
 
Rusty Lee
Sandpoint, ID
Sandpoint HS
110HH: 14.18, 300IH: 38.20
 
From Coach Tucker: "I am super excited to coach a hurdler like Rusty. We are going to have fun in both hurdles."
 
Charlie Ledwith
Spokane, WA
Lewis and Clark HS
1600: 4:25, 3 Mile XC: 15:23
 
From Coach Read: "Charlie is the third Ledwith I will have coached. Both of the other siblings were the top runner at some part of their EWU career. Charlie is next!"
 
Javen Livas
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham HS
SP: 58'10.75, WT: 61'6.5, Discus: 153'9
 
From Coach Tutson: "Coming off a sensational senior season, State Champion Javen Livas will certainly be an Eag to keep your eye on in his first season! Looking to be a three-event difference maker and a force to be reckoned with."
 
Jaquan Means
Everett, WA
Kamiak HS
110HH: 14.52, 300IH: 38.15
 
From Coach Tucker: "Jaquan actually reached out to me years ago when I was at Penn State. He definitely proved himself to me and his future is bright!"
 
Cam McChesney
Newberg, OR
Veritas HS // Portland St
1500m: 3:54, 5000m: 14:36, 8k XC: 25:34
 
From Coach Read: "Big track improvement this last season. Ready to get him on the grass."
 
Evan Peters
Spokane Valley, WA
Central Valley HS // Portland St
1500m: 3:57, 5000m: 14:29, 8k XC: 24:30
 
From Coach Read: "Evan has great leadership qualities and will be valued within the group."
 
Kristian Phennicie
Red Lion, PA
Dallastown HS // Penn State University
60m: 6.84, 100m: 10.57, 200m: 21.45
 
From Coach Tucker: "Kris was a guy I signed before I left Penn State. I am happy he decided to come to the PNW after an up and down first year. It is time to go to work!"
 
Chayse Sloan
Boise, ID
Boise HS
LJ: 22'9.5, TJ: 45'5
 
From Coach Brinson: "Chayse is a hand worker. We're excited to have him join the Flight Crew."
 
Dalton Wild
Couer d'Alene, ID
Post Falls HS // Spokane CC
100m: 10.87, 200m: 22.07
 
From Coach Tucker: "Dalton is a local guy that trained with the Spokane Speed Academy in HS and Spokane Community College his first year. He is a grinder that comes from great coaching stock. I can't wait to get going with him."
 
Koda Woodard
Longview, Washington
Kelso HS
Discus: 135' 5, SP: 50' 0.25
 
From Coach Tutson: "Koda Woodard is a fast-progressing thrower and will be a great addition to this year's bomb squad! His future as an Eag is bright and we cannot wait to have him as a part of the Eastern family."
   
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ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
 
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