Drake University Track and Field Recruiting Class of 2024
The Drake cross country and track and field teams have reloaded with a superb recruiting class. The Bulldogs welcome a versatile array of athletes across various disciplines.
"I am ecstatic to welcome this class to our Bulldog family," Drake XC/TF head coach Jay Koloseus said. "As the staff and I close this year's recruiting efforts, I am excited to again showcase our ability to attract some of the most talented track and field athletes not only in the country but the entire world."
2024 Drake Track & Field Recruiting Class
Ayla Barrett (Jumps | Monroe, Iowa | PCM) A high jump specialist, Barrett cleared 5'-1" this past season to win her Iowa State Qualifier meet.
Landon Bengden (Distance | Woodbine, Iowa | Woodbine) One of the most decorated distance runners in the history of Iowa high school track and field/cross country, Bendgen went undefeated at the Iowa state track and cross country meets this season. His victories included the 800, 1600, and 3200 with multiple records broken in the process. He is also the two-time defending Iowa Boys' XC state champion.
Cole Brandt (Throws | Kearney, Neb. | Kearney) The top overall thrower in Nebraska, Brandt holds the state record in the hammer throw.
Breanna Burak (Distance | Algonquin, Ill. | Illinois State) Former prep conference champion earned fifth at the Illinois State Championships in the 3200m run with a time of 10:35. Also broke the five-minute barrier in the mile as a high school runner.
Gaven Corpin (Middle Distance | Hoffman Estates, Ill. | Conant) Corpin won his 800m league championship in the state of Illinois with a personal best time of 1:55.
Ethan Elliott (Throws | Pyeontaek, South Korea | Spring Hill College) A completely self-taught thrower, Elliott rewrote Spring Hill College's record books as a freshman last season. He comes to Drake with the fourth-best mark in shot put history.
Gracie Foster (Distance | Indianola, Iowa | Indianola) One of the top distance athletes in the state of Iowa, foster placed seventh in the Class 4A State Cross Country Championships.
Khalil Kaba (Sprints/Hurdles | Edina, Minn. | Edina) Kaba was a 110m hurdles finalist at the Minnesota State Championships where he ran a time of 14.8. Also won his 6AAA state sectional meet in the 110 hurdles.
Hannah Kilday (Distance | Plainfield, Ill. | Plainfield Central) Finished sixth overall in the Nike Cross Country Midwest Regional Open Championships with a time of 19:27 on the challenging La Verne Gibson 5k Course in November.
Harrison Martinenko (Distance | Gold Coast, Australia | Saint Louis) Former Atlantic-10 Conference champion Martinenko starred at Saint Louis University. Used his diverse skillset to set personal records of 4:02 in the mile and 1:51 in the 800.
Denae McElrath (Sprints | Wichita, Kan. | UTRGV) Incoming transfer sprinter finished third at the KSHAA 6A State Championships and has posted times of 11.73 in the 100m dash and 25.70 in the 200m dash.
Harrison McGregor (Throws | Tauranga, New Zealand | Auckland University of Technology) One of the top shot putters out of New Zealand and Oceania, McGregor is a six-time finalist at New Zealand Nationals in shot, discus, and hammer. He will look to continue the recent success of New Zealand-native throwers in Des Moines.
Reese Mitchell (Sprints | Bloomington, Ill. | University) Posted times of 7.81 in 60m dash and 12.08 in 100m dash. Earned a third place finish at the 100m Illinois state championship race.
Aidan Palmer (Distance | Portland, Ore. | Boise State) Palmer was an incredible distance runner for the Broncos and will transfer his talent to DSM. One of the top cross country transfers in the nation, Palmer has run times of 29:08 in the XC 10k and 14:02 in the track 5k.
Hannah Quinn (Distance | Wilmar, Minn. | Wilmar) An endurance start out the state of Minnesota, Quinn has finished in the top 45 of the Nike Cross Country Regional Championship and has multiple top 10 finishes at the MSHSCA championships on track.
Maud Visscher (Throws | Holwierde, Netherlands | Alfa College) One of the top ranked high school athletes to ever sign with Drake, Visscher ranked No. 17 in the world for U18 girls shot put at the time of her commitment. She is the top overall junior thrower out of The Netherlands.
Jed Wilson (Distance | St. Charles, Ill. | St. Charles) Wilson highlighted his spring with a 9:17 in the 3200 to win the Kane County Championships. A sleeper pick up for the Bulldogs, Wilson's older brother, Micah, is currently an All-Big Ten Conference XC runner at Wisconsin.
"All event areas are represented in this class which features top athletes from near and far including Iowa state record setters and premier Oceanic athletes. This class represents seven states, six countries, and four continents. We are truly blessed at Drake to get to bring these young people to our world-class program and watch humanity at its best as they strive for championships. The future is bright on the Blue Oval and I am beaming with pride as this group descends upon Des Moines."
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