Track & field announces 2023 signing class

Track & field announces 2023 signing classTrack & field announces 2023 signing class

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn track & field head coach Leroy Burrell announced the signing of 22 new student-athletes slated to join the program in 2023.
 
Headlining the class is a slew of state and national champions, record-holders and MVPs who have also racked up a hoard of accolades in the classroom.
 
Joining the men's team will be distance runners Evan Hill and Max Hardin, jumper Jeremy Zammit, sprinters Ja'Kobe Tharp, Azeem Fahmi, Makanankaisbe Charamba, mid-distance runner Moitalel Mpoke as well as thrower Keyshawn Strachan.
 
Auburn adds to the women's roster by signing distance runners Mary Mac Collins, Audrey Dunn, Ava McIntosh, Cady McPhil, jumpers Chantoba Bright and Amy Warren, sprinters Abasiono Akpan, Ashanti Harvey, Ashantae Harvey, Danae Nembhard, Zuriel Reed, Shonedra Richardson and Ana Liese Torian and finally, vaulter Brook Walden.
 
"When I first arrived on campus it was clear to me that Coach [Aaron] Kindt was building something special in our Cross country/distance group," Burrell said. "He had rekindled or built relationships within the distance community that had long been forgotten. I felt that it was very important that we continue build on those relationships and expand that philosophy to the entire program. The majority of the freshman group that we signed in this class is a manifestation of that commitment. Mary Mac, Cady, Evan, Ava, Brook and Max are truly foundational athletes. It is extremely important to have sons and daughters of our state in the type of program we want to be."
 
The state of Alabama is known for producing top tier track and field athletes for which Burrell and his staff continue to attract to The Plains.
 
"I also felt it was especially important that Max Harden and Brook Walden wear the AU colors (Max having prepped at Auburn High and both Max and Brook's parents attended AU)," Burrell said. "When you add Shonedra Richardson to the group, I feel we have built our team on a foundation of athletes that are the pride of Alabama."
 
Alongside freshman, the signing field includes well decorated transfer student-athletes such as Nation Champions, World Champion finalist, NCAA All-American and finalist that look to have an immediate impact on the program.
 
"This group of athletes, freshman Abasiano, Jeremy, Keyshawn, and Azeem, junior college transfers, Ashante, Ashantae, and 4-year graduate transfers Amy, Chantoba, and Mo, represents an immediate spark to jump start Auburn track and field to the top of the NCAA rankings to start and score board by the end of the season," said Burrell.

"Chantoba and Mo have scored at the NCAA Championships at their previous institutions so I'm looking for the two of them to provide leadership and high performance in our 2023 campaign; Abas, Jeremy, Keyshawn and Azeem are champions or finalist in international competitions," Burrell said. "Their past performances project an ability to be in scoring position at the NCAA meet this season. Amy Warren and the Harvey twins have tremendous upside potential. Amy has scored in the SEC at her previous institution and the Harvey twins have been NJCAA finalist."
 
 
MEN'S SIGNEE PROFILES 
   
Evan Hill 
Hometown: Scottsboro, Ala.  
High School: Scottsboro High School 
Events: Distance/Cross Country 
Accolades: Alabama Cross Country State Champion… AL 3200m State Champion… #30 Returning 3200m US 
Personal Bests: 3200m: 9:01.74; 1600m: 4:14.02; 5000m: 14:52.02 

"Evan Hill is an elite distance talent coming from a distance powerhouse at Scottsboro High School," said Kindt "Evan possesses strong character and along with his successes in the long distances, has demonstrated he can be an impact athlete for us next fall."
 

 
Max Hardin 
Hometown: Auburn, Ala. 
High School: Auburn High School 
Events: Distance/Cross Country 
Accolades: Alabama Cross Country State Champion… All-Time AL State Course Record Time 14:46.02…AL 3200m State Champion…Champs National Cross Country Finalist   
Personal Bests: 2Mile: 9:08.00; Mile: 4:14.38; 5000m: 14:46.02 

"Max Hardin is a hometown kid that has great range and exceptional work ethic," Kindt said. "Max displayed that range this fall in Cross Country setting the State course record at the State Championship and finishing Top 20 at the Champs National Cross Country Championship. Max has the potential to make an immediate impact next year."
 

 
Ja'Kobe Tharp 
Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tenn. 
High School: Rockvale High School 
Events: Sprints 
Accolades: Tennessee State Champion 110m hurdles… TN State Runner-up 200m… 
Personal Best: 100M- 10.64; 200M- 21.64; 110MH- 13.79

"Ja'Kobe won multiple state titles while still 16, he is a fantastic athlete playing basketball at a very high level as well," said men's sprints and hurdles coach Ken Harnden. "His build reminds me of Allen Johnson, so does his will to win."
 

Jeremy Zammit 
Hometown:  Malta 
High School: San Anton School, St. Aloysius College 
Events: Jumps 
Accolades: Malta National Champion… 7th place at the World Athletics U20 Championships in the long jump… 
Personal Best: 7.73m

"I am excited that Jeremy will be joining us here at Auburn," said jumps/combined events coach Nick Newman. "I have known of his potential for some time now. Jeremy reminds me of a younger (more talented) version of myself with his background in basketball. Overall, he is a high character individual with an extremely bright future ahead of him" 
 

 
Azeem Fahmi 
Hometown:  Perak, Malaysia 
High School:  SMK Gunung Rapat 
Events: Sprints 
Accolades: 5th place at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships in the 100m… 
Personal Best: 100M- 10.09; 200M- 20.84

"Azeem made a huge leap into the World scene at the U20 Championships last summer, running 10.09!" Harnden said. "He is the fastest high schooler I have ever recruited. I believe when his power and speed endurance catch up to his talent he will be a threat at the NCAA and World level"
 

  
Keyshawn Strachan 
Hometown:  Nassau, Bahamas 
High School:  St. John's High School 
Events: Throws 
Accolades: 3rd place at the World Athletics U20 Championships… #23 All-Time Jr. in the world… 
Personal Best: 79.89M / 262-1 

"I am very excited that Keyshawn will be joining us here at Auburn," said throws coach Pat Ebel. "He is an extremely hard worker, competitive and very gifted in the javelin as he placed 3rd at the World Athletic U20 Championships. He will make an immediate impact at the SEC and NCAA Championships for us."


Moitalel Mpoke 
Hometown: Nairodi, Kenya  
High School:   
Previous School: Texas A&M 
Events: Mid-Distance 
Accolades: 2022 Kenyan National Championships 400m hurdles… Texas A&M School record 400m hurdles (48.70)… 
Personal Best: 400M- 45.84; 400MH- 48.70

"Mo is a World Class athlete, having competed at the World Championships for Kenya, as well as qualifying for the Olympic Games 2021," Harnden said. "Mo has won two SEC titles and has the ability to be a force in the 400h on a World stage, with his ability to run from 200m all the way to 800m."
 


Makanankaishe Charamba 
Hometown:  Harare, Zimbabwe 
High School:  Hilcrest College 
Events: Sprints 
Accolades: NCAA DII 3rd place in the 100m and 200m… Zimbabwean National Gold medal in the 200m and silver medal in the 100m… 
Personal Best: 60M- 6.81; 100M- 10.34; 200M- 20.41

"Maka is a 6'6, extremely motivated young man from Zimbabwe," said Harnden. "He was very underdeveloped coming out of high school, and has come in leaps and bounds under Coach Showler-Davis at Carson Newman."
  

 

WOMEN'S SIGNEE PROFILES 
 
Mary Mac Collins 
Hometown:  Tuscaloosa, Ala. 
High School:  Northridge High School 
Events: Distance/Cross Country  
Accolades: Alabama Cross Country State runner-up… Alabama Runner-up State 3200m... 
Personal Bests: 1600m: 5:00 ; 3200m: 10:37.75 ; 5000m: 17:31  

"Mary Mac Collins is one of the top in her class in Cross Country and a strong distance runner on the track," said Kindt. "Mary Mac possesses all the intangibles you look for when building a culture. Her demeanor and work ethic are excellent and couldn't be more excited to add her to our program."
 


Cady McPhail 
Hometown:  Birmingham, Ala. 
High School: Chelsea High School 
Events: Distance/Cross Country 
Accolades: Alabama Indoor State Champion in the 800m…3rd Alabama Outdoor State 400m…2021 Alabama 800m & 1600m Outdoor State Champion… 800m, 1600m, & 3200m State Indoor Champion 2021…Top 5 Cross Country State Championships 2021 & 2022  
Personal Bests: 1600m: 4:58.37; 800: 2:09.91 ; 5000m: 17:59 

"Cady McPhail is an elite middle distance talent," Kindt said. "A fierce competitor, relentless in her process, Cady has also demonstrated her potential as a leader helping lead a group of underclassmen to their first ever State Championship in Cross Country this Fall. Cady has potential to make immediate impacts next year."
 

 
Ava McIntosh 
Hometown:  Huntsville, Ala. 
High School:  Huntsville High School 
Events: Distance/Cross Country 
Accolades: Alabama Cross Country State runner-up 2022 & 2021… Runner-up Alabama 3200m State… Runner- Up Alabama Indoor Mile State 
Personal Bests: 1600m: 5:04.42; 3200m: 10:57.35; 5000m: 17:59.17 

"Ava McIntosh has been one of the most consistent high school runners in the State of Alabama this past year, improving each and every week," Kindt said. "Ava embodies the hard-working, gritty personality we look for at Auburn."


Audrey Dunn 
Hometown:  Southlake, TX 
High School: Carroll High School 
Events: Distance 
Accolades:  Member of Nike Cross Country National Qualifying Team… Top 15 Texas State XC Championships 
Personal Bests: 1600: 5:02.18… 3200: 10:54… 5000: 17:33 

"Audrey Dunn is an experienced runner having spent four years at nationally ranked powerhouse Carroll High School," said Kindt. "Audrey has been a significant contributed to a program that has been one of the best in the State of Texas during her time and earned a spot at the National Championships this fall. Driven and exceptional work ethic, Audrey is exciting addition to our program."
  

Brooke Walden 
Hometown:  Homewood, Ala. 
High School:  Homewood High School 
Events: Pole Vault 
Accolades: Alabama State runner-up…  
Personal Bests: 12-3.75

"Brooke is one of the premier vaulters in the state of Alabama, and a competitive cheer leader at the same time," Newman said. "Her parents cheered at Auburn, so this is a family affair. We are very excited to see her progress as she focuses on the vault."
 

 
Ashanti Harvey 
Hometown:  Hallandale, Florida 
High School:  Hallandale High School 
Previous School: Barton County Community College 
Events: Sprints 
Accolades: 100H 2nd NJCAA Regional Championships… 3rd Heptathlon NJCAA Regional Championships… 
Personal Best: 100H – 14.22 

"Ashanti (Ti) has a very colorful personality, energetic and hard working," said women's sprints and hurdles coach Lacena Golding-Clarke. 
  


Ashantae Harvey 
Hometown:  Hallandale, Florida 
High School:  Hallandale High School 
Previous School: Barton County Community College 
Events: Sprints 
Accolades: 2022 NJCAA runner-up in the 400m…  
Personal best: 400m- 53.07 200m- 23.52 100m- 11.66w 

"Ashantae (Tae), although quiet, she is motivated and ready for the big league," Golding-Clarke said.
  


Amy Warren 
Hometown:  Belle Chase, Lou.  
Previous School: Mississippi State 
High School: Belle Chase High School 
Events: Jumps 
Personal Bests: 12.88m 
Accolades: 2021 #7 SEC…  

"Amy is a highly motivated individual that joins the Auburn family on a mission!" Newman said. "After a successful 2021 campaign Amy is hungry to return to winning ways and jump new personal bests. In her spare time, she enjoys music and one of her many talents in playing the Trombone."
  


Danae Nembhard 
Hometown:  Kingston, Jamaica 
High School: St. Jago 
Previous School: Barton County Community College  
Events: Sprints 
Accolades: #3 JUCO in 2022…  
Personal Best: 100H -13.44w

"Danae is an optimistic type of athletes, always positive and ready to be an Auburn tigers," said Golding-Clarke.
 


Ana Liese Torian 
Hometown:  Homewood, Ill. 
High School:  Homewood-Flossmoor High School 
Events: Sprints 
Accolades: Illinois State Champion in the 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles… Milesplit honorable mention national recruit…  
Personal Best: 100H –13.51 300H – 42.88

"Ana is somewhat shy but passionate about her craft," Golding-Clarke said. "She will leave it all on the track for herself and the team."
 

  
Abasiono Akpan 
Hometown:  Ekot Epene, Nigeria 
High School: Community Secondary Commercial High School 
Events: Sprints 
Accolades: 2021 Nigerian National Champion… 2019 All-Africa bronze…  
Personal Best: 400H – 56.83 400m-53.71

"Abas is very competitive and confident and will give her final effort for her team," said Golding-Clarke. 
  


Chantoba Bright 
Hometown:  Wismar Linden, Guyana 
High School:  Mackenzie High School 
Previous School: Kansas State 
Events: Jumps 
Personal Best: 6.47m, 13.53m 
Accolades: #5 World Youth… 2021 5th place in the triple jump at the World Junior Pan Am Championships… 2021 Second Team Indoor All-American in the Long Jump and Triple Jump… 2020 All-Conference USA First Team (Indoor Long Jump)… 2020 All-Conference USA Second Team (Indoor Triple Jump)… 

"Chantoba (Toba) is undoubtedly one of the most talented combination jumpers in the NCAA," said Newman. "From Guyana, Toba takes pride in the fact that while she might not be the tallest jumper in the field, she has tremendous heart and a relentless will to win."  
 


Zuriel Reed 
Hometown:  Gainesville, Florida 
High School:  PK Young High School 
Events: Sprints 
Accolades: Florida State runner-up in the 100m hurdles and the 300m hurdles… Milesplit #49 national recruit…  
Personal Best: 300H – 41.60

"Zuriel is focused and ready to tackle the big league, she knows what she wants and she cannot wait to train for it!" said Golding-Clarke.
 


Shonedra Richardson 
Hometown:  Linden, Ala. 
High School:  Demopolis High School 
Events: Sprints 
Accolades: Alabama State Champion in the 100m, 200m, long jump, and triple jump…  
Personal best: 6.14m 100M- 11.58w 200M- 24.20

"Shonedra is super excited and committed," Golding-Clarke said. "She is also a persistent student-athlete; she can't wait to jump into this league and show her skills."