TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama head coach Dan Waters announced Thursday that 19 student-athletes will join the Crimson Tide track and field program for the 2014-15 season. Among the signees are nine recruits on the women’s side and 10 newcomers to the men’s squad.
Ten of the signees are currently considered among the national leaders in their events and the class includes student-athletes across the full spectrum of disciplines: eight distance runners, six sprinters (three of whom are also hurdlers), four throwers and one pole vaulter. Signees come from eight states (Alabama – 3, Texas – 4, Florida – 3, New York – 1, Georgia – 1, Louisiana – 1, Utah – 1, Tennessee – 1) and one foreign country (Australia – 1).
"We're very pleased and excited about the student-athletes who have agreed to join our team,” said Dan Waters, Crimson Tide head coach. “We feel that this class is the next step in our building process as we become a team that has versatility, depth and talent in all disciplines. This group has the potential to take us up another level in our effort to become a competitor for team titles on the SEC and national levels. I am very proud and pleased with our coaching staff for putting together another great class."
The men’s class features several of the nation’s top athletes led by sprinter Ahmed Ali of Houston, Texas, via South Plains College (Texas); sprinter/hurdler Tony Brown II from Beaumont, Texas; sprinter Steven Gayle from The Bronx, N.Y, via South Plains College; sprinter/hurdler Marlon Humphrey of Hoover, Ala.; and throws sensation Daniel Haugh from Marietta, Ga. The women’s class features one of the top international throws athletes in Danni McConnell of Hobart, Australia; thrower Haley Teel of Portland, Texas; distance aces Carolina Barlow (Naples, Fla.), Emily Edwards (Fort Myers, Fla.); and distance standout Veronica Lyle (Trussville, Ala.).
The aforementioned student-athletes will enter the Alabama program with performance histories that strongly suggest they will make an immediate impact on the conference and national scene.
