NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene University head track & field coach John Spatz has announced the signing of six athletes to letters of commitment to attend NNU and compete for the Crusader track & field teams this fall.
Signing with the Crusaders are Chelsea Barr (Nampa, ID), Jessica Case (Troy, ID), Carly Dranginis (Nampa, ID), Brandon Humble (Middleton, ID), Elmer Williams (Deer Park, WA), and Bruno Bennett (Harrison, ID).
Chelsea Barr, who graduated from Nampa Christian High School this spring, joins the Crusader track squad as one of the most decorated high school athletes in Idaho high school history. Barr won four straight Idaho 2A state championships in the pole vault setting a new state record in 2A competition each year. During the 2009 state championships, Barr ran and jumped to three individual state titles, posting victories in the 100m (12.75), 200m (25.70), and the pole vault at 11-9, playing a key role as her Nampa Christian team captured their fifth-straight team title in 2009.
“Chelsea will play a big role in moving the vault program to the top of the conference in the GNAC, and onto the national stage,” Spatz comments. “Her attitude and work ethic are second to none. She is a huge team player and her addition could help the Lady Crusaders in their bid towards a GNAC conference team title.”
Jessica Case joins the Crusaders from Troy High School in Troy, Idaho. She joins the NNU sprint squad after a very successful sprint career in the Idaho 1A state championships. At the 2009 Idaho 1A state championships, Jessica just missed defending her 100m title that she won as a junior, finishing second in a time of 13.01. Her 4x100m relay team was also the defending state champions from 2008 and repeated the accomplishment in 2009 winning a second title. Case also led her 4x200m relay to the state title, and ran a leg on the sprint medley team that finished fourth capping off an outstanding state meet for the Troy senior.
“Jessica will be a big addition to the Crusader sprint squad in the open events and the 4x100m relay where the Lady Crusaders are the reigning GNAC champions,” Spatz added. “Jessica has a great passion for the relays and will look to have an impact at the conference level right away. We are very excited to have an athlete of Jessica’s ability.”
Carly Dranginis, a graduate of Skyview High School in Nampa, will be a two sport athlete as she will split her time with the Crusader volleyball program. “Carly is exactly the type of thrower that we look for in our throws program,” Spatz commented. “Carly has made significant progress during her high school career and looks to make some great throws at the college level.” At the Idaho 4A state championships in 2008 Carly finished fifth in the shot put and fourth in the discus. In 2009 she was the state 4A runner-up in the shot put with a throw of 39-5 and also finished fifth in the discus.
Brandon Humble, from Middleton High School in Middleton, Idaho, will become a member of the NNU sprint and relays squad. Running mainly on the Middleton High relay teams during his senior year, Brandon will look to develop his open events from the 100m to 400m, as well as, the relays at NNU. “Brandon is a great competitor and will be a strong addition to our sprint squad,” Spatz added. “I am very pleased that he has chosen to be a part of our program next year.”
Elmer Williams, from Deer Park High School in Deer Park, Washington, will join the Crusader throwers after a successful senior year at Deer Park High under NNU track & field alumnus Cameron Gilbert. During the 2009 season Elmer served as a team captain and earned the Deer Park High Most Inspirational award. “Elmer’s coaches describe him as hard working, and one of the most unselfish players they have coached,” Spatz reflected. “Elmer will make a great addition to an already strong Crusader throws program.”
Bruno Bennett, from Kootenai High School in Harrison, Idaho, will join the NNU pole vault
squad after a very successful jumping career at Kootenai High. Bruno is a two-time Idaho 1A, District I, pole vault champion, having won titles in both 2008 and 2009. He continued his solid performances with a runner-up finish at the 2008 1A state championships (12-0) and a third-place finish (12-6) at the 2009 state finals.
“Bruno is a consistent 13’-foot jumper who looks to make some big jumps at the college level,” Spatz commented. “We are very excited to have Bruno join the vault program here at NNU. I really expect him to have some great opportunities at this level to develop into a top-level collegiate vaulter.”