Track and Field Signs Five Impressive Student-Athletes to National Letters of Intent

Cards add five commits to star-studded 2009 recruiting class.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The nationally ranked University of Louisville men’s and women’s track and field teams have signed five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2009 season, head coach Ron Mann announced Monday.

The 2009 class consists of two men and three women. The star-studded group includes two athletes from the state of Kentucky, two from Texas and one from Canada.

 “This class gives depth to our already strong women’s program, with two local standouts and an addition of a nationally renowned high jumper from Canada,” said U of L head coach Ron Mann.

The Cardinal women signed three student-athletes, including the 2006, 2007, and 2008 KYtrackXC.com sprinter of the year, Louisville, Ky. native Chelsea Brown. Brown, a 10-time state champion from Butler High School, will specialize in sprints. Brown won state championships in the 100m, 200m, 300m hurdles and 400m in 2006 and 2008. She won state championships in the 400m and 300m hurdles in 2007.  Brown is the 14^th ranked returning senior in the nation in the 400m.  Her personal best times include: 12.04 in the 100m; 24.37 in the 200m; 43.82 in the 300m hurdles and 55.35 in the 400m.

U of L also signed standout thrower Amashi Kendall. Kendall, an Owensboro, Ky. native, has won two straight state titles in both the shot put and the discus for Owensboro High School.  Kendall was named the 2008 top track and field female athlete of the year at the Tiger Classic as well as the KYtrackXC.com field event athlete of the year.  Her personal bests include 41-05.50 in the shot put and 124-02.00 in the discus.

The Cards also signed one of the best high jumpers in Canada, Michelle Theophille. Theophille, who is from Whitby, Ontario, has a personal best of 1.77m/5-09.75. She attends Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School and was a member of Canada’s 2007 World Youth Championships Team. She placed fourth at the 2007 Canadian Junior Championships and placed second in 2008. Theophille placed 10th at member of the legion team Ontario in 2007 and 2008. She was a member of team Ontario competing in the Ontario summer games/ Espoir Championships in 2008.

The Cardinal men signed two student-athletes. The Cards were successful in recruiting athletes from the state of Texas this year with both signees coming from “the Lone Star State.”

“We are adding to an area we needed to bring to the forefront,” said Mann. “Adding the middle distance element will help solidify and round out our existing team on the men’s side.”

Louisville signed Georgetown High School national standout Evan Hibbs. Hibbs, who is from Georgetown, Texas, is an odd commodity. He is a standout middle distance runner who is just as good in long distance races. He is the fourth Footlocker Finalist that has signed with U of L in the Ron Mann era. Hibbs was named Texas All-State in 2007 and 2008. He was named to the 2008 All-TXRunning.com Second Team, while earning Newcomer of the Year on TXRunning.com in 2007. Hibbs was the Most Valuable Runner in 2007. He was also named Freshman of the Year. His best times include: 49.0 in the 400m; 1:53 in the 800m; 4:20 in the 1600m; 14:54 in the 3k and 15:12 in the 5k. Hibbs chose the Cardinals over Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi State.

The Cardinals also signed standout middle distance runner Howard Shepard III. Shepard, a Lancaster, Texas native, was a finalist in the World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic in 2007. Shepard earned a pair of 2008 Texas 4A runner-up finishes in the 800m and 4x400m relay while at Lancaster High School. He posted a time of 1:52.25 in the 800m to win the USATF JO Title, the second fastest all-time for a U.S. freshman. Sheppard was a World Youth Team Member. His personal bests include: 47.21 in the 400m and 1:50.51 in the 800m.