Sooners Announce Early Signees

NORMAN – As Jim VanHootegem prepares for his second competitive season, he and his staff have picked up the signatures of 11 outstanding recruits during the early signing period for NCAA Letters of Intent.

“We are extremely pleased with our early signing class,” VanHootegem said. "This process begins a fairly long way out and then really gets going for about four to five months. We begin identifying talented athletes, then move toward getting to know the athletes. Eventually, we hope that there is a number of those originally identified athletes who feel that OU is that place where they can best develop their talents and achieve their goals.”

Signing with the Sooners during the November signing period were Grace Barber, Tulsa, Okla.; Robert Ellis, Sacramento, Calif.; Meia Gordon, Houston, Texas; Gabrielle Kearney, Roseburg, Ore.; Morgan Long, Keifer, Okla.; Isabella Rose, Norman, Okla.; Amarachi Pipi, London, England, who will be on campus in January; MacKenzie Shell, Fort Gratiot, Mich.; Christopher Staub, Tulsa, Okla.; Greg Vann, Camarillo, Calif.; Blake Yount, Aurora, Colo.

"We are strong in our commitment to make an effort to get the best in Oklahoma to come to OU.””
Coach Jim VanHootegem

The challenge that awaits the Sooner women is a bit bigger but they are coming off an all-time best in Big 12 finish of fifth from two weeks ago. OU enters the meet ranked seventh regionally.

“On the women's side, I am thrilled to be able to say we signed the top three senior cross country runners in the state of Oklahoma in Morgan, Isabella and Grace,” VanHootegem continued. “We are strong in our commitment to make an effort to get the best in Oklahoma to come to OU and we couldn't have done better than to get the top three. As a bonus, Isabella is our fourth woman to sign from Norman in the last two years joining high school teammates Belle Wallace and Abby Mace as well Norman High's Haley Redwine.”

He then continued about the signees in the men's middle distance and distance area. “After a large signing class last year, we weren't going after numbers on the men's side. We are thrilled that we signed Blake and Chris. Since day one, we were fascinated with Blake. His background is really as a hockey player. With limited experience, he set the Colorado state record in the 800 last spring and followed that up with an outstanding cross country season this fall. We think he is going to be an outstanding middle distance runner on the track and will also be a key contributor in cross country.

"In keeping with wanting to attract the best in Oklahoma to OU, we are excited to sign Chris. His list of individual accomplishments as a runner in the state of Oklahoma is long and a lot of team success at Jenks HS has gone along with that.”

VanHootegem then switched his attention to the field part of the Sooner track and field programs.

“We are track and field and field events are a big part of our team at OU. To have four athletes in our signing class who rank among the top three in their senior class nationally is really amazing. It is a testament to what we are doing at OU.

“We have started a great tradition in the women's javelin so that type of success allows us to attract a person like Gabby who ranks #1 in her class nationally. Greg and MacKenzie fit similar profiles in that they both made dramatic improvements from their sophomore to junior years. We saw each of them jump in person and we feel that they have a great ability to go beyond good collegiate jumpers and be great ones,” VanHootegem continued.

“Meia is not only one of the best shot putters in the country, but also ranks highly in the discus. We loved her athleticism when we saw her. She is actually very young for her class so we think there is a lot of growth potential for her.”

Finally, VanHootegem looked at the two recruits who were signed to join the Sooner sprint groups. “We hit a home run in both genders. Ama brings an international perspective to our team as well as international experience. Our goal is firmly to be one of the best sprint/relay programs in the nation on the women's side and Ama is another really big piece of the puzzle. We like what we see athletically from her, but we also love her spirit and look forward to the energy she will bring to the team.

“For the men, Robert was our number one guy throughout this process. He is proficient and accomplished from the 100 to 400 and his leadership ability is evident. He comes from a great program and we think he will immediately step into our program and play a large part in developing a men's team which is nationally competitive.”

Pipi will be on campus in January while the others will start their Sooner careers in the 2015 fall semester. OU opens the 2015 competition schedule on Jan. 17 when the Sooners host the J.D. Martin Invitational.

The Sooner Signees

Grace Barber
Tulsa, Okla. (Jenks HS)
Distance events

·      5:09.0 mile PR
·      11:08.09 3,200 meter PR
·      18:18.84 5k PR
·      Finished fourth in the 6A Oklahoma XC State Championships
·      Nine-time Oklahoma 6A State medalist

Why I Chose OU: “I chose OU because I was impressed with the great strides the athletes have made under Coach (Jason) Dunn. I watched the girls on a run during one of their practices, and they encouraged each other and worked as a team. I had a great time with them during my visit. Everyone was so sweet. I know I made the right choice!”

Robert Ellis
Sacramento, Calif. (American River Junior College/Antelope HS)
Sprints

·      100 meter 10.34 PR
·      200 meter 20.70 PR
·      400 meter 47.45 PR
·      Finished third in the 200 meter at the USATF Junior Championships, 2014
·      Finished third in the 100 meter at the 2014 California State Junior College Championships as a freshman

Why I chose OU: "The reason I choose to sign with the University of Oklahoma is because of the atmosphere in Norman and it was away from home. I need to learn what it's like to be away from home and on my own developing into a man. The two most important reasons I choose to be a Sooner is because of the coaches and the track team. Right away, I clicked with everybody and knew that's where I wanted to be. I knew I wanted to be a Sooner before I went on my visit when Coach (Kevin) Tyler and Coach V came to see me run one race and knew I was the guy for OU. Also the two other visits from Coach (Natasha) Harvey and Coach V to talk face to face were important. I automatically got that coach/athlete connection from all three of them. The athletes automatically treated me like I was already a part of their team. I bonded with most of them as soon as I met them and I need a team I can get along with for the next two years of competing. I am proud to say I am a Sooner!”

Meia Gordon
Houston, Texas (Cypress Creek HS)
Discus and shot put

·      Shot put 48-8 PR
·      Discus 152-1 PR
·      Junior Olympic record holder sub youth shot put with a 52-8
·      ESPN club championship record holder intermediate discus 146-6
·      Two-time AAU All-American
·      USATF All-American in the discus, 2014
·      Three-time District 17-6A champion
·      Two-time 5A state qualifier

Why I chose OU: “I chose OU because of the family-like atmosphere. I really bonded with the girls on the team. Everyone was very welcoming and excited to have me there. I also really like Coach (Brian) Blutreich and think he is just the coach I need to push me to success.”

Gabrielle Kearney
Roseburg, Ore. (Roseburgh HS)
Javelin

·      Javelin 166-0 PR
·      Ranked #1 nationally in javelin for Class of 2015 and third as prep, 2014
·      US All-American HS Girls Team by US Track and Field News, 2014
·      Listed as alternate to IAAF Junior World team, 2014
·      US Junior Championship Javelin bronze medalist, 2014
·      2014 IAAF Junior World Championships A-Standard qualifier, 2014
·      Oregon 6A State Champion-Girls Javelin with a mark of 164-2, 2014
·      Oregon Twilight-Champion-Women's Javelin, 2014 (Only prep in elite field of competition)
·      Oregonian's 2014 Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year
·      2014 Nominee for Gatorade's Outstanding Player of the Year Award for Oregon
·      2014 Grants Pass 65th Annual Rotary Invite champion and broke a 30-year old meet
·      2013 Champion of Down Under International Invitational, Brisbane, Australia, Javelin Open years age division, 2013

Why I chose OU: “I chose OU because of its national class coach and throwers. They were the only program to qualify three women javelin throwers to the 2014 NCAA Championships. I was attracted to their success. I wanted to train with the best so that I would be constantly challenged both in practice and competition. I also really liked that the track and field program has its own exclusive indoor and outdoor training facilities that are in close proximity to the housing and overall campus giving it the small campus feel. The academics at OU are just as outstanding as their track program and the student-athlete academic support is exceptional.”

Morgan Long
Keifer, Okla. (Sand Springs HS)
Middle distance and distance

·      Finished second at the Oklahoma 6A Cross Country Championships
·      Placed third in the 1600 meter and fifth in the 800 meter at the 6A Oklahoma State Track Championships
·      Oklahoma 6A 800-meter state champion, and five-time state qualifier and medalist
·      Oklahoma 6A Cross Country State Championships runner-up,
·      Three-time All-Stater and medalist
·      Four-time USATF 4x800-meter national champion and 1500 meter runner-up
·      Four-time USATF Cross Country Team national champion
·      All-Metro Track and Cross Country
·      All-VYPE Track and Cross Country
·      2:16.55 800 meter PR
·      4:47 1500 meter PR
·      5:11 1600 meter 5:11 PR
·      11:31 XC two mile PR
·      18:11 XC 5k PR

Why I chose OU: "With my family being predominately OSU alum, we thought we knew where I would go. As I began to take my visits and through a lot of prayer, The Lord led me to realize OU is the place for me. The coaching staff and team seem perfect for me. The coaches regarded me with genuine value and importance. The team treated me as though I was already a part of the team. I felt right at home!"

Isabella Rose
Norman, Okla. (Norman North HS)
Distance

·      18:13 5k PR
·      Finished third in the 6A Oklahoma XC State Championships
·      Helped her team win the 2013 6A Oklahoma XC State Championships

Why I chose OU: “I chose to attend OU because Norman is my home and OU offers amazing facilities for running. They have an amazing health and exercise science program. I cannot wait to be a Sooner!”

Amarachi Pipi
London, England (will arrive on campus in January)
Sprints

·      100 meter 11.72 PR
·      Ranks fifth in under 20 classification in the United Kingdom
·      200 meter 23.89 PR
·      Ranks fourth in under 20 classification in the United Kingdom
·      Finished third in Great Britain & Northern Ireland Junior Championships in under 20 years old 200-meter dash
·      Ran opening leg for the Great Britain & Northern Ireland 4 x 100-meter relay at the 2014 World Junior Championships.

Why I chose OU: “It has always been my dream to make it big in track and field and I think the University of Oklahoma will help me realize my dreams. I have wanted to study in the States for as long as I can remember but I chose OU because I was fascinated by the facilities provided such as the football stadium, the OU community and the beautiful campus. From what I've read and heard, the University of Oklahoma is among one of the best colleges in the USA. This was confirmed when I went to the U.S. Embassy in London for my visa interview and the interviewer was visibly impressed when he found out I was going to the University of Oklahoma and wished me luck! I believe OU will be a great experience for me as an up and coming athlete and musical theatre student. I am looking forward to joining my new sports family!"

MacKenzie Shell
Fort Gratiot, Mich. (Port Huron HS)
Pole vault
·      Ranked sixth in the nation this past season in pole vault with a 13-6
·      Indoor All-American – pole vault (finished sixth)
·      Outdoor All-American – pole vault (finished fourth)
·      Michigan indoor state record older – pole vault with a 12-10.50
·      Michigan outdoor state record holder -- pole vault with a 13-6
·      Finished sixth at Junior Nationals in Eugene, Ore.

Why I chose OU: “I wanted to go to a college where I felt like I really fit in. I chose Oklahoma because of this. I also loved how intelligent and experienced the coaching staff was and how the whole team was so friendly. I felt that the resources that were provided here would help me achieve my goals and that I could jump my best here. Out of all my visits, Oklahoma has everything I have been looking for.”

Christopher Staub
Tulsa, Okla. (Jenks HS)
Distance

·      4:19.97 mile PR
·      9:21.42 3200 meter PR
·      15:36.8 5k PR
·      Finished third in the 6A Oklahoma XC State championships
·      Member of four State Championship team titles

Why I chose OU: “Growing up in the great state of Oklahoma, I was a die-hard Oklahoma State Cowboys fan. As I grew older the ties between OSU and myself began to weaken. I became much more interested in competing as a Sooner as my senior year began. I knew immediately after my visit to the University of Oklahoma I was ready to commit and become a Sooner. I really liked how genuine Coach Dunn was, and the team made me feel right at home.”

Greg Vann
Camarillo, Calif. (Rio Mesa HS)
Long Jump

·      Has only two years of track and field experience
·      California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Long Jump Champion
·      CIF Division 3 record holder in the Long Jump at 24-6
·      Fourth-ranked returning long jumper in the U.S.

Why I chose OU: “One of the main reasons I chose the University of Oklahoma was because they made me feel very welcome — the coaches, athletes, and the atmosphere as a whole. I liked how the dorms are conveniently located right next to the indoor and outdoor track facilities. The main thing that impressed me was the quality of the coaching staff and the amount of 1 on 1 attention I will receive. Academically, the university's health and exercise science major was perfect for my future career goals. I'm super excited to be a Sooner!"

Blake Yount
Aurora, Colo. (Smoky Hills HS)
Middle distance and distance

·      1:51.63 800 meter PR
·      15:33 5k PR
·      Finished fifth in the 5A Colorado XC State Championships
·      Finished second at the 2013 5A Colorado State meet in the 800 meter
·      Colorado state record holder in the 800 meter run

Why I chose OU: “I chose Oklahoma because I knew I would be most successful there. The energy I felt from the team was electric and I know the team is going to do big things in the near future. I'm extremely excited to start my collegiate running career under Coach Dunn -- he is an incredible coach. Finally, the campus is gorgeous and the people are extremely nice. I can't wait to become a Sooner!”

Players Mentioned

Grace Barber

Meia Gordon

Meia Gordon

Morgan Long

Morgan Long

Kenzie Shell

Kenzie Shell

Greg Vann

Greg Vann

Belle Wallace

Belle Wallace

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics