Razorbacks Land Seven More Signees in Preparation for New Season
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark – The University of Arkansas men’s track and field coaching staff returned to the recruiting trail and secured another set of talented student-athletes to assist in the program’s pursuit of their 42nd national title. Successful in attracting immediate impact-makers coaches, Chris Bucknam, Doug Case and Travis Geopfert have assembled a solid group to lead into the new season. Over the last year two members of the 2014 class were recognized as SEC Freshman of the Year. International distance standout and recent European Junior Champion at 5,000 meters Alex George received the honor for his efforts during cross country season while national champion (4x100m) Kenzo Cotton earned his during the outdoor track and field season. The Razorbacks were listed as having a top-five recruiting class in early June by FloTrack.
“It’s always our goal to have a well-rounded program that can compete for SEC and NCAA Championships in all three seasons. We are proud of our university and the talent that we can attract both on the track and in the classroom,” said Coach Bucknam. “We showed once again that our student-athletes can excel on all fronts. We were top three in both the indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships last year as well as averaged above a 3.0 g.p.a winning the USTFCCCA Academic program of the year award. We offer a world class experience here at Arkansas on all fronts and we are very pleased that this last wave of signees recognize that.”
Following an early signing group that featured a multitude of state champions and junior college All-Americans the Razorbacks added another talented group to their 2015-16 roster including Davon Anderson (Cleveland, Ohio/Ohio State), Graham Brown (Palatine, Ill. /Palatine HS), Cameron Case (Fayetteville, Ark. /Fayetteville HS), Cameron Griffith (Sydney, Australia/Trinity Grammar School), Obi Igbokwe (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands), Kemar Mowatt (St. Elizabeth, Jamaica/Texas A&M Corpus Christi) and John Winn (Bryant, Ark. /Bryant HS). The Razorbacks’ are coming off back to back to back top ten recruiting classes.
“These particular athletes give us some terrific depth with our distance and middle distance crew as well as tremendous depth in our sprints and relays,” said Bucknam. “It takes an all-around team effort to compete for NCAA and SEC titles. This addition of these seven student-athletes sets us up well to continue to excel academically and compete for team championships. ”
Davon Anderson || Hurdles || Ginn Academy/Ohio State (Cleveland, Ohio)
Personal Bests:
100 meters – 10.58
200 meters – 21.44
110-meter hurdles – 13.60
300-meter hurdles – 36.23
4×400-meter splits – 45.57
Notes on Anderson: Earned 2015 outdoor First Team All-American accolades as the third-leg of the fourth-place finishing Buckeye 4×400-meter relay team. 2015 Second Team All-Big Ten selection as a member of the 4×400-meter relay team. Collected three state titles at the 2014 OHSAA Division I State Championships (110H, 4x100m, and 4x400m). Coached by Tedd Ginn Sr. Son of Mario and Sequoya Anderson.
On why he chose Arkansas: “The reason why I chose Arkansas is not only because of the successful tradition that the track and field program has carried throughout the years but because I felt at home; I was comfortable. The coaches enhanced my comfort by graciously welcoming me into the Razorback community; I could see that they genuinely cared about their athletes.”
What Coach Case says about Anderson: “Davon brings in terrific big meet experience. His talent in a diverse group of events gives us some immediate fire power in both hurdles and tremendous depth in our relays. He’s a big time performer and is going to make an immediate positive impact for us on
Graham Brown || Distance || Palatine High School (Palatine, Ill.)
Personal Bests:
3 mile (XC) – 14:40
800 meters – 1:56.9
1600 meters – 4:14.3
3200 meters – 9:11.6
Notes on Brown: Three-time All-State in cross country and track and field. Posted back to back top-20 finishes at the Illinois State cross country meet as a junior and as a senior. Assisted his team in capturing a state title and to a fifth place team finish at the Nike Cross Nationals during his freshman year. Coached by Christopher Quick and Alex Soto. Son of Gregory and Sharon Brown.
On why he chose Arkansas: “Arkansas was my number one choice because of the rich history and amazing culture here. At Arkansas I am able to grow individually in my sport while being a part of a championship program.”
What Coach Bucknam says about Brown: “Graham is a great student as well as athlete. He’s worked hard to get himself here and appreciates the value that the Arkansas education and track/cross-country experience has to offer. Graham has tremendous range from cross-country down to 800 meters on the track and is going to develop into a force to be reckoned with in the SEC in the near future.”
Cameron Case || Multi Events || Fayetteville High School (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Personal Bests:
Long Jump – 22-6.5
Notes on Case: Placed in four out of four events at the Arkansas state meet. Top 10 decathlete in state of Arkansas. Asked to compete for the state of Arkansas in four events including the decathlon at the 40th annual Great South West Classic in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Coached by Drew Yoakum. Son of Douglas and Christine Case.
On why he chose Arkansas: “You have to train with the best to become the best.”
What Coach Geopfert says about Case: “Cameron is a great kid that is going to develop into a solid decathlete for us. His running mechanics are good and his jumps have improved tremendously in the last year. He’s about 6’3” and I believe still growing. He has track and field in his blood and with that has a terrific knowledge of our sport. I’m excited to work with him and look forward to helping him reach all of his goals. It’s very exciting to have Cameron Case with us here as a Razorback!”
Cameron Griffith || Middle Distance || Trinity Grammar School (Sydney, Australia)
Personal Bests:
400 meters – 50.47
800 meters – 1:50.42
1500 meters – 3:47.55
3000 meters – 8:24.00
Notes on Griffith: Raced to two Australian U18 national titles in the 800-meter and 1500-meter runs in 2013. Claimed the All-School top spot in 2014 in cross country, 800 meters and 1500 meters.
On why he chose Arkansas: “Arkansas definitely seemed to mirror my previous training techniques. This combined with the depth of the team made it the obvious choice.”
What Coach Bucknam says about Griffith: “Cameron is one of the best middle distance talents in the world. He had a lot of options coming out of high school and understands the importance of being part of a great team. His range is fantastic and he has the foot speed it takes to be a big meet contender. He’s a great kid with a lot of heart and we couldn’t be more pleased that he has chosen to be a Razorback.”
Obi Igbokwe || Sprints || The Woodlands HS (The Woodlands, Texas)
Personal Bests:
200 meters – 21.10
300 meters – 33.50
400 meters – 46.22
Notes on Igbokwe: District champion in the 400-meter dash two consecutive years. Finished second in the state at 400 meters with his second best performance in the event of the season at 46.34. Qualified for the Prefontaine Classic and clocked a 21.22 to take third in the 200-meter dash. Claimed the runner-up spot at the prestigious Brooks PR invitational in the 400-meter dash. Coached by Sean Hamilton and Juris Green. Son of Nicholas and Grace Igbokwe.
On why he chose Arkansas: “I chose Arkansas because of their amazing coaching staff and also because of the standard that they hold themselves to and their reputation.”
What Coach Case says about Igbokwe: “Obi helps us continue our strong tradition with Woodlands high school athletes. Year in and year out they do a great job of developing quality student-athletes. Obi is one of the most talented athletes coming out of high school this year. Obi is very excited about competing for a proven championship program and we appreciate his enthusiasm for wanting to be a Razorback. We really like his versatility and his understanding of what it takes to compete for Championships here at Arkansas.”
Kemar Mowatt || Sprints || Munro College/Texas A&M-C. C. (St. Elizabeth, Jamaica)
Personal Bests:
100 meters – 10.77
200 meters – 21.31
400-meter hurdle – 51.13
Notes on Mowatt: Finished in fourth place in the 400-meter hurdles at the ISSA Boys and Girls Champs in a time of 52.03. Assisted his high school team to claim the victory at the Western Championships in Jamaica. Coached by Neil Harrison and Hickel Woolery. Son of Donovan Mowatt and Sylvia Williams.
On why he chose Arkansas: “Never Yield.”
What Coach Case says about Mowatt: “Kemar is a great kid that is going to help us in a lot of ways this coming season. He’s a great hurdler and his talents along with Davon gives us some tremendous depth with our hurdles crew. He’s also a proven sprinter and will give us some serious depth
John Winn || Sprints || Bryant High School (Bryant, Ark.)
Personal Bests:
200 meters – 21.66
400 meters – 48.37
Notes on Winn: 2015 multiple event 5A-7A Indoor State Champion (200m, 400m, 4x400m). Collected two additional state titles during his senior outdoor season in the 400-meter run and as a member of the 4×400-meter relay team. Ranked number one at 400 meters in the state of Arkansas and number three at 200 meters. Coached by Steve Oury. Son of Mike and Amy Winn.
On why he chose Arkansas: “Growing up in Arkansas it’s always been my dream to run for the Razorbacks. After talking to Coach Case at an indoor meet in January and learning more about the program and the school, it was a no brainer. I believe Arkansas will really help me develop as a student athlete.”
What Coach Case says about Winn: “John is a local talent with a tremendous upside. He has solid strength and with his good 200 meter time I believe will develop into a very good quarter miler. We have had great success with local talents like Neil Braddy, Caleb Cross and Andrew Irwin to name a few. We want to keep that strong tradition going of keeping our local talent in state. We look forward to John being part of our Razorback family.”
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