PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers track and field welcomed its 2022 recruiting class, adding depth in all event areas with a collection of former state champions and NCAA qualifiers. The Scarlet Knights are coming off on of its best seasons in program history across the board, including four Big Ten Championships, NCAA Championship competitors, All-Americans and school record performances.
 
"I'm very excited about this incoming freshman class and talented graduate transfers," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Bobby Farrell. "This is the inaugural recruiting class of this coaching staff and they did a fantastic job. We were able to address some key areas of need while fortifying our strengths. This class should make an immediate impact in the Big Ten and NCAA Championships"
 

Men's Track and Field

 
On the men's side, Rutgers added 21 newcomers, boosting a group the captured three Big Ten Championships and qualified four Scarlet Knights for the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships during the 2022 season.
 
SPRINTS/HURDLES/JUMPS
 
"Men's sprints, hurdles and jumps are already a strength for us and these newcomers should make our group even more potent," said Farrell. "This group brings in some of the most talented athletes in New Jersey and the nation."
 
Fitzroy Ledgister (St. Peter's Prep High School)
PRs: 55m - 6.30; 100m - 10.30; 200m - 21.29; Long Jump - 23'6"
N.J. #1 (55m, 100m), N.J. #2 (200m), USA #7 (55m), USA #19 (100m), USA #3 (200m),
New Jersey State Champion, All-American
 
Greg McQueen (Elizabeth High School)
PRs: 100m - 10.72; 200m - 21.64; 400m - 47.99
N.J. #6 (400m), N.J. #12 (200m)
New Jersey State Champion (200m)
 
Chris Serrao (East Brunswick High School)
PRs: 55mH - 7.29; 110mH - 13.73; 100 - 10.70; 200 - 21.82; 400mH - 52.06
N.J. #1 (55mH, 110mH, 400mH), USA #4 (55mH), USA #5 (400mH), USA #15 (110mH)
New Jersey State Champion (55mH, 110mH)
 
Josh Babe (Morris Hills High School)
PRs: 200m - 21.40; 400m - 48.32
N.J. #4 (200m), N.J. #8 (400m)
 
Kevin O'Sullivan (Hillsborough High School)
PRs: Pole Vault - 16'
N.J. #1 (PV), USA #35 (PV)
 
Dillon Page (Cherry Hill High School)
PRs: High Jump -  6'8"
N.J. #2 (HJ),
 
THROWS
 
"The men's throws unit had a big year last year. And Coach Cocci was able to bring in some major talent to help fortify it."
 
Konstantinos Bouzakis (Chania, Greece)
PRs: Discus - 201'6"
Two-time U20 World Qualifier (Discus)
 
Robert Paneque (Jackson Memorial High School, N.J.)
PRs: Javelin - 208'6"
N.J. #1, USA #6
New Jersey State Champion
 
Christian Ricci (Christian Brothers Academy, N.J.) (Transfer Cornell)
PRs: Shot Put - 58'
2021 N.J. #8 (Shot Put)
 
 
DISTANCE
 
"This is a historic recruiting class for the men's distance program," said Farrell. "Coach Matthew Jelley was able to pick up some major difference makers as we work to make the distance events a force in the Big Ten and NCAA. This class is a great start in bringing in impact runners while providing critical depth."
 
Ray Sellaro (University of Pennsylvania/North Hunterdon High School)
PRs: Mile - 3:57.89; 1,500m - 3:41.69; 800m - 1:50.92
NCAA Qualifier (1,500m), Ivy League Champion (1,500m)
 
Justin Cornetta (University of Pennsylvania/Hunterdon Central High School)
PRs: 1,500m - 3:45.87; mile - 4:02.96; 800m - 1:52.73
 
Will Hare (University of Pennsylvania/Princeton High School)
PRs: 3,000m Steeplechase - 8:51.45; 3000m - 8:03.56; 1,500m - 3:47.17
Two-time NCAA Qualifier (Steeplechase)
 
Alec Snell (University of New Orleans/Dutchtown High School)
PRs: 800m - 1:49.43; 1,500m - 3:48.34
Southland Conference Champion (800m)
 
Billy Clewell (Camden Catholic High School)
PRs: 1,600m - 1:54.27; 1,600m - 4:16.76; 5,000m - 15:19
N.J. #8 (800m outdoor)
 
Daniel Valentino (Freehold Township High School)
PRs: 3,200m - 9:25.12; 5,000m - 15:19
 
Jack Moran (Christian Brothers Academy)
PRs: 1,600m - 4:21.63; 800m - 1:57.90; 5,000m - 15:20
 
Alex Davis (Patrick Henry High School)
PRs: 800m - 1:54.75
Virginia #9 (800 outdoor)
 
Zeb Hinker (Lower Cape May Regional High School)
PRs: 1,600 m- 4:19.15; 5,000m - 15:54
 
Liam Tilton (Highland Park High School)
PRs: 1,600m - 4:18.58; 3,200m - 9:19.61
 
Evan Morrow (Hasbrouck Heights High School)
PRs: 800m - 1:56.84; 1,600m - 4:22.43
 
Aaron Wysocki (North Hunterdon High School)
PRs: 5,000m - 16:11
   

Women's Track and Field

The women's squad added 20 newcomers to a group that turned in a record-setting season in 2022 with a total of 13 school records, a Big Ten Champion and NCAA Championship competitor.
 
SPRINTS/JUMPS
 
"Coach Crawford has given the women's horizontal jumps a big boost with two state champions and high school All-Americans joining the squad," said Farrell. "Our women's sprints unit is already one of our strongest groups and is now even stronger with the addition of another former New Jersey State Champion."
 
Faith Bethea (Snyder High School)
PRs: Triple Jump - 40'7"; Long Jump - 18'8"
N.J. #1 (TJ), USA #11 (TJ)
New Jersey State Champion, Third Place Adidas National Championships
 
Celine Jada Brown (Plainfield High School, N.J.)
PRs: LJ - 20' 4.25"; 400m - 56.07
N.J. #1 (LJ), USA #4 (LJ)
New Jersey State Champion, Third Place New Balance National Championships
 
Jada Ellis (Maryland/Manchester Township High School)
PRs: 100 - 11.57; 60 - 7.72; 200 - 24.87
2021 N.J. #1 (100m), 2021 USA #7 (100m)
2021 New Jersey State Champion (100m)
 
Lucia Garcia Beltran (Hopewell Valley High School)
PRs: 55m - 7.17; 100 - 12.55
N.J. #4 (55m), Placed fifth at Meet of Champions
 
Chaa-Nah-Yah Brathwaite (Monmouth/Elizabeth High School)
PR: 55m - 7.23; 100m - 12.44; 200m - 25.31; 400m - 59.66
 
Thalia Dyer (Monmouth/American Heritage High School)
PRs: 60m - 7.97; 100m - 12.57; 200m - 25.20; 400m - 58.68
 
THROWS
 
"Coach Cocci was able to bring in some of the top circle throwers in the state," said Farrell. "He also brought in a key javelin thrower. With nearly the entire throws unit returning, the women now have more depth than it's ever had."
 
Tey'ana Ames (Atlantic County Tech)
PRs: Shot Put - 41' 2"; High Jump 5' 4"
N.J. #5 (Shot Put)
 
Kelly Enterline (Southern Regional High School)
PRs: Discus - 140' 2"; Shot Put - 42' 9.5"
N.J. #2 (Shot Put), N.J. #4 (Discus)
 
Olivia Norris (Fishers High School)
PRs: Javelin - 144' 9"
USA #12 (Javelin)
 
Olivia Prescott (West Orange High School)
PRs: Discus - 133'1"; Shot Put 43'1"
N.J. #2 (Shot Put indoor), #7 (Shot Put outdoor), N.J. #9 (Discus)
 
DISTANCE
 
"After rewriting the record books last year, women's distance gets even more depth and talent than ever before," said Farrell. "Coach Jelley has the difference makers and depth to easily have the strongest year ever for women's distance."
 
Kassidy Johnson (Kansas State/Maize South High School)
PRs: 800m - 2:02.94; 1,500m - 4:20.28
Two-time NCAA All American (800m), Big XII Champion (1,000m)
 
Sofia Condron (Elwood/John Glenn High School)
PRs: 800m - 2:10.95; 1500m - 4:42.65
NY #4 (800m outdoor)
 
Lucia Rabolli (Ridgewood High School)
PRs: 1,600m - 4:58.74; 800m - 2:12.43; 5,000m - 18:26
N.J. #4 (800m indoor), two-time New Jersey Meet of Champions runner up (800m)
 
Sophia Reich (North Hunterdon High School)  
PRs: 1,600m - 4:59.65; 800m - 2:15.17
 
Melanie Barbosa (Howell High School)
PRs: 1,600m - 5:10.79; 3,200m - 11:09.72; 5,000m - 18:37
 
Kaila Spence (Glenelg High School)
PRs: 1,600m - 5:12.40; 800m - 2:20.71
 
Sophie Emin (Easton High School)
PRs: 800m - 2:15.09
 
Ciara Bullington (Shaker High School)
PRs: 3,000m - 10:29.75; 1,500m - 5:04.78
 
Dhuvee Chaudhari (Highstown High School)
PRs: 1,500m - 4:57.13
 
Preeta Joshi (Hillsborough High School)
PRs: 5,000m - 19:34