Meet The Women's X/C and Track Newcomers
Aug 29 | Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The Rutgers women's cross country and track & field programs welcome 20 new faces to the teams for the upcoming 2017-18 season. Meet the newest Scarlet Knights.
Bukola Akinsola (Hurdles, Relays)
Hometown: West Orange, N.J.
High School: West Orange
PR:
55 HH – 8.43
100 HH – 14.84
400 IH – 1:03.11
Robinson on Akinsola: "Bukola will be one to keep and eye on in both short & long hurdles. She has the thirst and motivation to excel, so I'm looking forward to seeing Bukola achieve her goals."
Kaitlyn Bragen (Distance, Steeplechase)
Hometown: Point Pleasant, N.J.
High School: Point Pleasant Boro
PR:
3,200m - 10:53.97
Robinson on Bragen: "Kaite will add valuable depth to the distance squad. She is looking forward to running the steeplechase."
Courteney Campbell (High Jump)
Hometown: Kendall Park, N.J.
High School: South Brunswick
PR:
High Jump – 5'8.75''
Robinson on Campbell: "Courteney is three-time High School All-American high jumper and three-time winner of the N.J. Meet of Champions in the high jump. Courteney has tremendous talent and we expect her to make an immediate impact in the Big Ten Conference."
Kathryn Campbell (Javelin)
Hometown: Lake Hiawatha, N.J.
High School: Parsippany
PR:
Javelin – 146'7''
Robinson on Campbell: "Kathryn is a veteran thrower whom we'll count on to develop into a Big Ten scorer."
Oniesha Clarke (Long Jump, Sprints)
Hometown: Waterbury, Conn.
High School: Chase Collegiate School
PR:
Long Jump – 19'4.25''
60m – 7.63
100m – 11.64
Robinson on Clarke: "Oniesha is the 2017 Outdoor NCAA DIII national runner-up in the 100m and six-time DIII All-American in the 60m, 100m and long jump. She'll be counted on to make an immediate impact in the short sprints and long jump."
Alexandra Coghlan (Middle Distance)
Hometown: Spotswood, N.J.
High School: Spotswood
PR:
1,600m - 5:00.44
Robinson on Coghlan: "Alexandra will look to add collegiate experience and depth to our middle-distance squad."
Anna Czajkowski (Long Jump, Triple Jump)
Hometown: Englishtown, N.J.
High School: Manalapan
PR:
Long Jump – 18'7.5''
Triple Jump – 37'3''
Robinson on Czajkowski: "Anna will look to contribute in the long & triple jumps. She is a 2017 N.J. Sectional Outdoor Long Jump Champion and a 2017 N.J. Group 4 Triple Jump Champion."
Dakota Gerges (400 IH, Sprints)
Hometown: Parlin, N.J.
High School: Sayreville
PR:
400 IH – 1:01.08
400m – 56.55
Robinson on Gerges: "Dakota is a versatile hurdler/sprinter who'll add talent and much-needed depth to our long sprinting unit. She is a 2017 NJ Sectional Outdoor 400m Champion and a 2017 N.J. Group 4 400 IH Champion."
Sara Gutter (Middle Distance)
Hometown: Allentown, N.J.
High School: Allentown
PR:
800m: 2:20.38
Robinson on Gutter: "Sara will look to develop her talents in the middle distance area and make an impact on the relays."
Kayla Jackson (Sprints, Relays)
Hometown: Columbus, N.J.
High School: Northern Burlington Regional
PR:
55m – 7.31
200m – 25.44
400m – 57.17
Robinson on Jackson: "Kayla will look to make an immediate impact in the sprinting events in the Big Ten Conference. She has untapped potential to become a very potent 400m performer."
Dahria Lewis (Triple Jump, Long Jump)
Hometown: Maplewood, N.J.
High School: Columbia
PR:
Triple Jump – 38'8''
Robinson on Lewis: "Dahria is a good triple jumper and she looks to add depth in the field events."
Olympia Martin (Distance)
Hometown: Ridgewood, N.J.
High School: Ridgewood
PR:
3,200m - 10:41.29
5,000m (XC) - 17:56 * 2016 NJSIAA Group 4 Champion
Robinson on Martin: "Olympia is a very gritty runner and we are looking for her to make an immediate impact in our cross country squad."
Kiera Nealon (Distance)
Hometown: Manalapan, N.J.
High School: Manalapan
PR:
3,200m - 10:49.32
Robinson on Nealon: "Kiera had an outstanding senior outdoor season and we are looking for her to be one of the top runners on our cross country team."
Natalie Neamtu (Middle Distance)
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
High School: Webster- Thomas
PR:
800m - 2:14.46
1,500m - 4:35.03
3,000m - 9:59.17
Robinson on Neamtu: "Natalie will be relied upon to contribute immediately on our mid-distance squad."
Akosua Nyamekye Opoku-Agyemang (Long Jump, Sprints)
Hometown: Union, NJ
High School: Union
PR:
Long Jump – 19'10.5''
100m – 12.11
200m – 24.91
Robinson on Opoku-Agyemang: "Nyamekye is a gifted long jumper and budding sprinter. Her versatility in the long jump to the short sprints allowed her to win the 2017 N.J. Outdoor Meet of Champions Long Jump title, 2017 Outdoor N.J. Sectional & 2017 N.J. Outdoor Group 4 Champion and the 2017 Outdoor N.J. Sectional 200m Champion."
Jacqueline Simmons (Long Jump, Sprints)
Hometown: Beltsville, Md.
High School: Elizabeth Seton
PR:
Long Jump – 18'11''
55m – 7.18
60m – 7.72
100m – 12.13
Robinson on Simmons: ·"Jackie adds explosiveness and depth to the jumping unit. She comes from a top program in Maryland and brings that lineage of success with her 'To the Banks'."
Arianne Strunkey (Sprints, Relays)
Hometown: Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
High School: Taft Education Campus (NYC)
PR:
200m – 23.84
300m – 38.80
400m – 55.27
Robinson on Strunkey: "Arianne will look to make an immediate impact in the Big Ten Conference. She was one of the best sprinters in the nation coming out of high school and a multiple-time Junior College All-American."
Ariel Strunkey (Sprints, Relays)
Hometown: Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
High School: Taft Education Campus (NYC)
PR:
55m – 7.14
100m – 11.98
200m – 23.98
300m – 38.96
400m – 56.38
Robinson on Strunkey: "Ariel will look to make an immediate impact in the sprinting events in the Big Ten Conference. The Junior College All American possesses tremendous range and offers versatility throughout both short and long sprinting events & relays."
Tierra Taylor (Sprints)
Hometown: Browns Mills, N.J.
High School: Pemberton
PR:
60m – 7.57
200m – 25.24 (I)
Robinson on Taylor: "Tierra adds experience and speed to the sprinting unit. She has won in the collegiate ranks by winning the 2017 Indoor MAC Conference 60m Championship."
Ariyonna Wright (Jumps, Multis, Hurdles)
Hometown: Somerset, N.J.
High School: Franklin
PR:
Triple Jump – 36'4''
55 HH – 9.00
800m – 2:25.22
Robinson on Wright: "Ariyonna is a very exciting up and coming jumper/multis athlete. She has tremendous potential to develop into a consistent conference scorer."
Bukola Akinsola (Hurdles, Relays)
Hometown: West Orange, N.J.
High School: West Orange
PR:
55 HH – 8.43
100 HH – 14.84
400 IH – 1:03.11
Robinson on Akinsola: "Bukola will be one to keep and eye on in both short & long hurdles. She has the thirst and motivation to excel, so I'm looking forward to seeing Bukola achieve her goals."
Kaitlyn Bragen (Distance, Steeplechase)
Hometown: Point Pleasant, N.J.
High School: Point Pleasant Boro
PR:
3,200m - 10:53.97
Robinson on Bragen: "Kaite will add valuable depth to the distance squad. She is looking forward to running the steeplechase."
Courteney Campbell (High Jump)
Hometown: Kendall Park, N.J.
High School: South Brunswick
PR:
High Jump – 5'8.75''
Robinson on Campbell: "Courteney is three-time High School All-American high jumper and three-time winner of the N.J. Meet of Champions in the high jump. Courteney has tremendous talent and we expect her to make an immediate impact in the Big Ten Conference."
Kathryn Campbell (Javelin)
Hometown: Lake Hiawatha, N.J.
High School: Parsippany
PR:
Javelin – 146'7''
Robinson on Campbell: "Kathryn is a veteran thrower whom we'll count on to develop into a Big Ten scorer."
Oniesha Clarke (Long Jump, Sprints)
Hometown: Waterbury, Conn.
High School: Chase Collegiate School
PR:
Long Jump – 19'4.25''
60m – 7.63
100m – 11.64
Robinson on Clarke: "Oniesha is the 2017 Outdoor NCAA DIII national runner-up in the 100m and six-time DIII All-American in the 60m, 100m and long jump. She'll be counted on to make an immediate impact in the short sprints and long jump."
Alexandra Coghlan (Middle Distance)
Hometown: Spotswood, N.J.
High School: Spotswood
PR:
1,600m - 5:00.44
Robinson on Coghlan: "Alexandra will look to add collegiate experience and depth to our middle-distance squad."
Anna Czajkowski (Long Jump, Triple Jump)
Hometown: Englishtown, N.J.
High School: Manalapan
PR:
Long Jump – 18'7.5''
Triple Jump – 37'3''
Robinson on Czajkowski: "Anna will look to contribute in the long & triple jumps. She is a 2017 N.J. Sectional Outdoor Long Jump Champion and a 2017 N.J. Group 4 Triple Jump Champion."
Dakota Gerges (400 IH, Sprints)
Hometown: Parlin, N.J.
High School: Sayreville
PR:
400 IH – 1:01.08
400m – 56.55
Robinson on Gerges: "Dakota is a versatile hurdler/sprinter who'll add talent and much-needed depth to our long sprinting unit. She is a 2017 NJ Sectional Outdoor 400m Champion and a 2017 N.J. Group 4 400 IH Champion."
Sara Gutter (Middle Distance)
Hometown: Allentown, N.J.
High School: Allentown
PR:
800m: 2:20.38
Robinson on Gutter: "Sara will look to develop her talents in the middle distance area and make an impact on the relays."
Kayla Jackson (Sprints, Relays)
Hometown: Columbus, N.J.
High School: Northern Burlington Regional
PR:
55m – 7.31
200m – 25.44
400m – 57.17
Robinson on Jackson: "Kayla will look to make an immediate impact in the sprinting events in the Big Ten Conference. She has untapped potential to become a very potent 400m performer."
Dahria Lewis (Triple Jump, Long Jump)
Hometown: Maplewood, N.J.
High School: Columbia
PR:
Triple Jump – 38'8''
Robinson on Lewis: "Dahria is a good triple jumper and she looks to add depth in the field events."
Olympia Martin (Distance)
Hometown: Ridgewood, N.J.
High School: Ridgewood
PR:
3,200m - 10:41.29
5,000m (XC) - 17:56 * 2016 NJSIAA Group 4 Champion
Robinson on Martin: "Olympia is a very gritty runner and we are looking for her to make an immediate impact in our cross country squad."
Kiera Nealon (Distance)
Hometown: Manalapan, N.J.
High School: Manalapan
PR:
3,200m - 10:49.32
Robinson on Nealon: "Kiera had an outstanding senior outdoor season and we are looking for her to be one of the top runners on our cross country team."
Natalie Neamtu (Middle Distance)
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
High School: Webster- Thomas
PR:
800m - 2:14.46
1,500m - 4:35.03
3,000m - 9:59.17
Robinson on Neamtu: "Natalie will be relied upon to contribute immediately on our mid-distance squad."
Akosua Nyamekye Opoku-Agyemang (Long Jump, Sprints)
Hometown: Union, NJ
High School: Union
PR:
Long Jump – 19'10.5''
100m – 12.11
200m – 24.91
Robinson on Opoku-Agyemang: "Nyamekye is a gifted long jumper and budding sprinter. Her versatility in the long jump to the short sprints allowed her to win the 2017 N.J. Outdoor Meet of Champions Long Jump title, 2017 Outdoor N.J. Sectional & 2017 N.J. Outdoor Group 4 Champion and the 2017 Outdoor N.J. Sectional 200m Champion."
Jacqueline Simmons (Long Jump, Sprints)
Hometown: Beltsville, Md.
High School: Elizabeth Seton
PR:
Long Jump – 18'11''
55m – 7.18
60m – 7.72
100m – 12.13
Robinson on Simmons: ·"Jackie adds explosiveness and depth to the jumping unit. She comes from a top program in Maryland and brings that lineage of success with her 'To the Banks'."
Arianne Strunkey (Sprints, Relays)
Hometown: Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
High School: Taft Education Campus (NYC)
PR:
200m – 23.84
300m – 38.80
400m – 55.27
Robinson on Strunkey: "Arianne will look to make an immediate impact in the Big Ten Conference. She was one of the best sprinters in the nation coming out of high school and a multiple-time Junior College All-American."
Ariel Strunkey (Sprints, Relays)
Hometown: Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
High School: Taft Education Campus (NYC)
PR:
55m – 7.14
100m – 11.98
200m – 23.98
300m – 38.96
400m – 56.38
Robinson on Strunkey: "Ariel will look to make an immediate impact in the sprinting events in the Big Ten Conference. The Junior College All American possesses tremendous range and offers versatility throughout both short and long sprinting events & relays."
Tierra Taylor (Sprints)
Hometown: Browns Mills, N.J.
High School: Pemberton
PR:
60m – 7.57
200m – 25.24 (I)
Robinson on Taylor: "Tierra adds experience and speed to the sprinting unit. She has won in the collegiate ranks by winning the 2017 Indoor MAC Conference 60m Championship."
Ariyonna Wright (Jumps, Multis, Hurdles)
Hometown: Somerset, N.J.
High School: Franklin
PR:
Triple Jump – 36'4''
55 HH – 9.00
800m – 2:25.22
Robinson on Wright: "Ariyonna is a very exciting up and coming jumper/multis athlete. She has tremendous potential to develop into a consistent conference scorer."
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-RU-
Players Mentioned
Hurdles/Relays
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
High Jump
/ Women's Track & Field
Javelin
/ Women's Track & Field
Long Jump/Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Long Jump/Triple Jump
/ Women's Track & FieldHurdles
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints/Relays
/ Women's Track & Field
Long Jump/Triple Jump
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Long Jump/Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Long Jump/Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints/Relays
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints/Relays
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints/Relay
/ Women's Track & Field
Jumps/Multis
/ Women's Track & FieldOn the Course: Kelseigh O'Neil
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