PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland State head track & field coach Brent Ericksen announced the signing of six athletes to National Letters of Intent Thursday, giving the Vikings' 10 signees this season, after the Vikings signed four athletes during the early signing period in the fall.
 
Seth Andres, Alec Hornecker and Tanner Tropio joined the Vikings' five men's signees, while Ariell Garnett, Demi Marine and Nia Powdrell joined the Vikings' five women's signees. Additionally, the Viking men have added three athletes in the distance events and two athletes in the sprints/hurdles, while the Viking women have added two athletes in the sprints, one athlete in the distance events and one athlete in the throws.
 
"Although we will still add more to this class, overall I think we have added some ladies who can make an impact right away and the men have added some needed depth to the roster, especially on the distance side," Ericksen said. "With this being our first year here, we have felt like both squads lack the ability to cover enough events so this really is just step one for us as we look forward to growing the program over the next few years."
 
All six of the Vikings' signees Thursday will join the Vikings as freshmen next season.
 
Seth Andres
Hurdles
Henley High School
Klamath Falls, Ore.
 
PREP PERSONAL BESTS:
Indoor:
60m Hurdles – 8.23 – Prep (2016)
Outdoor:
110m Hurdles – 14.44 – Prep (2016)
300m Hurdles – 39.48 – Prep (2015)
 
HENLEY HIGH SCHOOL:
Won the 2015 Oregon 4A state title in the 110-meter hurdles as a junior…Helped his team win the Oregon 4A state team title in 2015…Competed in football as well as track & field during all four years of high school.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Son of Todd and Mindi…Has a brother, Parker…Lists working out, running and visiting museums as hobbies/interests…Hopes to become an optometrist…Plans on majoring in biochemistry with a minor in chemistry.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON ANDRES:
"We will be losing senior Kevin Robinson to graduation and Seth can certainly come in and compete for us in both the 110- and the 400-meter hurdles. He's currently ranked second in the state of Oregon in the 110's and should be able to make the transition to the 400 hurdles without any problems."
 
Ariell Garnett
Sprints
John F. Kennedy Catholic High School
Kent, Wash.
 
PREP PERSONAL BESTS:
Outdoor:
100m – 12.22 – Prep
200m – 24.88 – Prep
 
JOHN F. KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL:
Won the state titles in the 100 and 200 meters as a junior in 2015…Placed third in the state in the 400 meters as a sophomore in 2014, and placed fourth in the 200 meters in the same year…All-league in track in 2014 and 2015…Competed in basketball during all four years of high school, versus just three years in track & field…Named Seamount League Girls Basketball Athlete of the Year in 2016…Two-time all-league first-team selection in basketball…Also competed for the SeaTown Express track club in 2015, as well as the Y.E.A. girls basketball club team in 2010-14.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Daughter of Erroll Garnett…Has a brother, John Shannon, and sister, Briana Shannon…Lists makeup as a hobbie…Hopes to one day own her own business…Plans on majoring in marketing.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON GARNETT:
"Ariell is a tremendous athlete out of the Seattle area who had offers to play DI basketball as well. I absolutely love the way she competes when she runs (she is the Washington state 3A 100 and 200 meter champion) and we're excited to see what happens when she turns her attention full time to track."
 
Alec Hornecker
Distances
Golden High School
Golden, Colo.
 
PREP PERSONAL BESTS:
1,600m – 4:28 – Prep (2016)
3,200m – 9:45 – Prep (2015)
5,000m – 15:15 – Prep (2015)
 
GOLDEN HIGH SCHOOL:
All-state in cross country after finishing second in the state meet as a senior in 2015…Holds his high school's school records in the 3,200 and 5,000 meters…Jefferson County Colorado League MVP…Second-team all-region at Nike Cross Nationals in 2015…Three-time first-team all-conference runner in cross country…State qualifier in cross country during all four years of high school…Earned first-team all-conference honors in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters as a junior, and second-team honors in both events as a sophomore…Second-team all-conference in cross country as a freshman in 2012…Has lettered in tennis and swimming in addition to track and cross country in high school.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Son of Greg and Dana Hornecker…Has two brothers, Ky and Michael Hornecker, and one sister, Danielle Irwin…Lists hunting, skiing, running, biking and swimming as hobbies…Plans on earning an MBA after his undergraduate degree…Intends to major in business.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON HORNECKER:
"We were really impressed with Alex's cross country season. He did a great job finishing 2nd at the Colorado state cross country meet and has really made significant improvements as each season has gone along."
 
Demi Marine
Distances
Covina High School
West Covina, Calif.
 
PREP PERSONAL BESTS:
800m – 2:21.51 – Prep
1,600m – 5:07.71 – Prep
3,200m – 11:09.23 – Prep
3 Miles – 17:48 – Prep
5,000m – 18:22 – Prep
 
COVINA HIGH SCHOOL:
Captained her track and cross country teams for three years in high school…Finished 15th at the state cross country meet…All-state, all-CIF and a two-time all-league selection…League champion in cross country and the 800 meters…Team placed third in CIF two years in a row and placed sixth and ninth in the state…Academic all-league selection.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Homecoming princess and ASB secretary of activities in high school…Lists eating pizza, eating in general and watching movies as hobbies…Hopes to become an FBI agent that specializes in missing children…Plans on majoring in criminal justice.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON MARINE:
"Demi is a strong addition to our distance program. Coach McCaffrey liked what he saw with her at both the California state cross country meet and at the Arcadia meet a few weeks ago. She competes in a wide range of distance events right now but I think her strength may be in the 5k where she has posted a personal best of 18:22."
 
Nia Powdrell
Sprints/Jumps
Cleveland High School
Rio Rancho, N.M.
 
PREP PERSONAL BESTS:
100m – 12.00 – Prep (2015)
200m – 24.60 – Prep (2015/16)
Long Jump – 18-11.50 (5.77m) – Prep (2016)
 
CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL:
Won four state titles as a junior in 2015, winning the 100 and 200 meters while also anchoring her team's wins in the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays…Set New Mexico State records with her wins in the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relay in 2015…Also placed second in the state in the long jump in 2015…Named the Athlete of the Meet as the highest scorer at the 2015 state meet…The State flag of New Mexico was flown in her honor on June 30, 2015, after her performance at the state meet, while New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez presented her with a certificate of congratulations for "accomplishments leading up to, and culminating at the 2015 State Track and Field Championships"…Led her team to the state team title in 2015…Also placed second and third in the state with her team during her sophomore and freshman seasons, respectively…Has anchored three-straight state-title winning 4x100-meter relay teams for her high school from her freshman to her junior year (2013-15)…Athlete of the Meet at the city championships as a junior in 2015… Placed second in the state in the 200 meters as a sophomore in 2014, and also finished second after running the anchor of the school's 4x200-meter relay team… Placed second in the 200 meters and third in the 100 meters at the 2013 state meet, and also anchored her team's second-place 4x200-meter relay team…Named Athlete of the Meet at the 5A district championships as well as the city championships as a freshman in 2013…Five-year letterwinner in track and field at Cleveland High School, as she also competed as an eighth grader…Named the Rio Rancho High School Varsity Track and Field Athlete of the Year as an eighth grader in 2012…Also ran for the Duke City Track Club from 2010-11…Won a USATF regional championship in the 200 meters in 2011.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Daughter of Natatura Powdrell-Moore and Bryant Moore…Has a twin sister, Naomi, and an older sister, Nick…Lists painting, drawing, running and singing as hobbies…Member of the Cleveland High School Black Student Union…Volunteered at homeless shelters, serving food during high school…Hopes to become an occupational therapist to help children with developmental disabilities…Intends to major in kinesiology.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON POWDRELL:
"Nia is an incredible addition for us. I feel like we got the best athlete out of the state of New Mexico. She is the New Mexico 6A state champ in the 100 and 200, finished 2nd in state with an 18'11 long jump and has begun running the 400 this year. She can also impact the relays for us as well. When she visited, she was an instant fit with our team and is a great student as well. I can't wait to have her in a Viking uniform!"
 
Tanner Tropio
Sprints
Jesuit High School
Tualatin, Ore.
 
PREP PERSONAL BESTS:
100m – 10.96 – Prep (2014)
200m – 21.99 – Prep (2014)
 
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL:
Track team won the state title in 2013 and 2014…Also lettered in football in high school and won the state title in football in 2015.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Son of Paul and Ally Tropio…Has two brothers, Tyler and Turner Tropio…Hopes to become a physical therapist…Plans on majoring in pre-health with a focus on pre-physical therapy.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON TROPIO:
"Tanner is a smart kid from a great program at Jesuit. He struggled with injuries last year as a junior but was one of the fastest 200- and 400-meter runners in the state as a sophomore and if he can stay healthy, he should have a great senior year."