Recapping last year, the Bears and Sugar Bears had a historic year. While out on the cross country course, the Sugar Bears continued to improve on their conference ranks and dropped their team average performance by over 45 seconds. Moreover, the Bears had a record-setting performance with their highest team place finish in the conference since being a member of the Southland Conference.
Moving to the 'Oval Office', 12 school records were rewritten, and UCA had over 20 All-SLC performers (top 8) and qualified athletes to both the Indoor and Outdoor NCAA D-I National Championships - a first in UCA's Division I history. Having reached the pinnacle of collegiate track and field, the UCA flag waived high and proud at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
"Prospects want to be part of this. Being a mid-major program, yet to be present and competing on the biggest stage is attractive to any aspiring All-American," said Head Coach Richard Martin. "I believe that our developing success as a program has attracted many quality prospective student-athletes from all across the country."
The XCTF program added 25 to the 2016-2017 roster which includes 20 freshmen and 5 transfer student-athletes from all around the globe. Although a large number of this year's incoming class are native to the Natural State, the Bears attracted a diverse region of states spanning as far west as Colorado and as southeast as Florida. Coming from abroad, UCAXCTF will have representatives from both Great Brittan and Zimbabwe. Each student-athlete possesses a strength to aid in the success of this growing program and will be preparing for the year ahead shortly.
The XC teams will hit the trails running hard on August 15th and the TF teams will be kicking off their pre-season training in the beginning of September.
Highlighted Incoming Bears and Sugar Bears
Men's XC – Jaron Hamilton, Grand Prairie, Texas
Jaron comes to Central Arkansas with great range and a resume filled with championship finishes. With a 2 nd place finish in the 2k steeple chase at the Texas Relays and a 9 th place finish at New Balance Nationals and winning the AAU Jr Olympics in a time of 6:11.45. Jaron's PR include 1600m - 4:27.00, 5K (xc) - 15:35.04.
"Jaron will make an immediate impact here at UCA, he has a big heart and even bigger dreams. I am looking forward to working with him on breaking records.'' – Coach Beau Theriot
Women's XC – Erin Woodward, Little Rock Ark.
Erin led her Little Rock Christian Cross Country team to four straight State Championships. Last season she was the reigning 5A State Cross Country Champion with a championship course personal record of 18:44. On the track her personal records of 1600 (5:12) and 3200 (11:06) won the Arkansas 5A State Championships.
"Erin's leadership, persistence and dedication to everything will enable her to be a successful athlete. She always performs at a high level in championships event." - Coach John Jones
Men's TF – Zachary Jewell, Mena Ark.
Jewell brings his speed and spring to Central Arkansas in Champion fashion. Jewell has not lost a single Long Jump competition in the state of Arkansas since March 2015. Jewell is the reigning State Championship in the Long Jump and Bronze medalists from the 2015 AAU Junior Olympics in Greensboro N.C. In 2016, Jewell has gone undefeated in the 100m, 200m and Long Jump in the State of Arkansas and brings PRs of 10.69, 21.37 and 23'5" respectively.
"I am really excited to have Zack be part of this program. I believe he has a huge upside and may shock a few people along the way. He doesn't fit the typical profile simply by looking at him but, you know what they say – never judge a book by its cover. It's going to be a fun year, I'm super stoked.' – Coach Iggy
Women's TF – Ajah Criner, Hope Ark.
Criner comes to Central Arkansas with a wide array of multi-sport success. Criner is a 5A All - Conference Performer on the Track and represented the Ladycats as a small forward on the varsity basketball team for several years. Criner also brings experience from the pinnacle of State competition as she was a finalist in both the 100m and 200m at MOCs in 2016.
While competing on the National level, Criner was a key member of an All American 4x100m relay team as well. Criner currently has PRs in the 100m of 12.18, 200m of 24.95 and a Long Jump best of 17'8".
"I think that Ajah's experiences at the elite State and National level will translate well to her collegiate career. She has a very strong-minded attitude and I am excited to see what we can bring out of her as a Sugar Bear." – Coach Iggy
