PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland State track & field team announced the signing of 12 student-athletes Wednesday, giving the Vikings 19 signees overall in their 2017 recruiting class.
 
The Vikings signed seven athletes during the fall signing period, and are expected to add more in the coming months. The Vikings also signed 19 freshmen for their 2016 recruiting class, the first under head coach Brent Ericksen who has reworked the team's roster in just under two years at the helm of the program.
 

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RECRUIT BIOS (in alphabetical order):
 
Saraia Collmer
Pole Vault
Boring, Ore.
Clackamas CC (Sam Barlow HS)
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
Pole Vault – 11-04 (3.45m) – Before PSU (2016)
 
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE:
Earned a full track scholarship at Clackamas Community College…Also attended Mt. Hood Community College…Competed in water polo and swimming in addition to track & field while in high school…Two-time first-team all-state selection in water polo (2014, 2015)…Second-team all-state in water polo in 2013…Captained her water polo team for three years in high school…Two-year state qualifier in swimming.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Daughter of Janine Collmer and Andrew Collmer…Has two brothers, Isaac and Josiah, and three sisters, Esther, Christa and Rachael…Lists being active as a hobby/interest…Hopes to become a helicopter paramedic or firefighter…Plans on majoring in nursing.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON COLLMER:
"It was great to add another local product out of Clackamas Community College. Pole Vault is an area that hasn't been covered well, so we're excited to add another vaulter and feel like with increased speed and strength, Saraia can be a contributor in the near future at the conference level."
 

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Megan Cornett
Combined Events
Bend, Ore.
Summit HS
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
200m – 28.35 – Prep (2014)
800m – 2:33.83 – Prep (2014)
100H – 16.58 – Prep (2017)
High Jump – 4-06.25 (1.37m) – Prep (2016)
Long Jump – 14-09.00 (4.49m) – Prep (2014)
Shot Put – 32-04.50 (9.86m) – Prep (2016)
Javelin – 137-08 (41.96m) – Prep (2017)
Heptathlon – 3,564 points – Prep (2016)
 
SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL:
Three-sport athlete at Summit between soccer (four years), basketball (two years) and track & field (four years)…Part of seven state championship-winning teams in high school between soccer (2013, 2014, 2015) and track & field (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)…2nd-team all-state selection in soccer in 2015…2015 Offensive Player of the Year…First-team all-league in 2014 and 2015…Honorable mention all-league as a freshman in 2013…Placed fifth in the javelin in 2015, earning all-state honors…Holds the Summit HS school record in the javelin…Was the only Oregon athlete to qualify for the National Junior Olympic meet in five different events (heptathlon, 400m, 200m hurdles, triple jump, 4x400m relay) in 2013.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Daughter of Kevin and Terri Cornett…Has a sister, Jessica…Won a Best in category, sports story for the State of Oregon in 2016…School newspaper honored as the #1 in the nation while she served as the Sports Editor…Lists playing all spots, hiking, kayaking and exploring in Central Oregon as hobbies/interests…Plans on majoring in business with a minor in graphic art.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON CORNETT:
"Megan is a great all-round athlete from Summit High school in Bend. We like the fact that she already has experience in the heptathlon and placed fifth at the 2015 Oregon track and field state meet with a throw of 133-05 in the Javelin. Megan will also play soccer here in the fall for coach Schott."
 

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Natalie Cummings
Sprints
Astoria, Ore.
Astoria HS
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
100m – 12.3 – Prep (2016)
200m – 25.7 – Prep (2015)
 
ASTORIA HIGH SCHOOL:
Three-time all-league first-team selection (2014-16)…Led team to 4A state title during her sophomore and junior years of high school (2015, 2016)…State champion in the 100 meters as a junior, and placed second in the 200 meters…Six-time all-state selection…MVP of her track team during her first three years of high school…Named Athlete of the Week of the Daily Astorian numerous times in high school…Lettered for her high school's dance team as a freshman in 2013.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Daughter of Stacey Womack and Michael Cummings…Has a brother, Luke Cummings, and a sister, Gracie Cummings…Lists intramural sports, snowboarding and shopping as hobbies/interests…Hopes to become a chemical engineer…Plans on majoring in biochemistry or organic chemistry.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON CUMMINGS:
"Natalie is the returning Oregon state meet 4A champion in the 100 meters and runner-up in the 200 meters. We think Natalie possesses great turnover and expect her to make great contributions on the relays as well."
 

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Zack Davis
Sprints
Gig Harbor, Wash.
Gig Harbor HS
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
100m – 11.14 – Prep (2017)
200m – 22.36 – Prep (2017)
400m – 50.01 – Prep (2017)
 
GIG HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL:
Competed in football and track & field during all four years of high school…Earned five varsity letters between football (two) and track & field (three)…Placed third in the state as part of his high school's 4x400-meter relay during his junior year.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Son of Kathie and Craig…Has a brother, Jackson…Hopes to become a computer programmer…Plans on majoring in computer science.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON DAVIS:
"We are excited to bring in Zack Davis from Gig Harbor, Wash. Zack does all three sprint events as well as the 1,600-meter relay in high school and I think he can certainly help us in those events here as he continues to get faster and stronger."
 

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Justin Desaki
Sprints/Jumps
Honolulu, Hawaii
Kamehameha Schools
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
100m – 10.75 – Prep (2016)
200m – 22.43 – Prep (2016)
Long Jump – 21-11.00 (6.68m) – Prep (2016)
 
KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS:
Hawaii state record holder in the 100 meters with his time of 10.75 seconds…Part of three straight state team titles (2014-16)…Part of conference record-holding 4x100-meter relay…Won the state title in 4x100-meter relay in 2015, and placed third in the short relay in 2016…Placed second in the state in the 100 meters in 2016…Finished fourth in the state in the 200 meters in 2016, after finishing fifth in 2015…Part of back-to-back team conference titles in 2015 and 2016.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Son of Noelle Kai and Keith Desaki…Has a brother, Joshua Kai, and a sister, Jonelle Kai…Lists making videos and taking pictures as hobbies/interests…Hopes to make a living off of videography and photography…Plans on majoring in film and either a double major or a minor in business.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON DESAKI:
"Justin becomes the third Hawaiian athlete that has signed this year and will join current Viking and school record-holder in the indoor 60-meter hurdles, Kamal-Craig Golaube, who also hails from Hawaii. Justin put together a really nice junior year and finished second in the state in the 100-meter dash."
 

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Ceil Dunleavy
Jumps
Wasilla, Alaska
Wasilla HS / Mat-Su Central School
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
High Jump – 5-08 (1.72m) – Prep (2017)
 
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE:
Three-time Alaska state champion in the high jump…Broke the Alaska state record in the women's high jump…Also lettered in volleyball as a freshman and sophomore.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Daughter of Michael and Rose…Has two sisters, Maggie and Catherine…Hopes to become an accountant…Plans on majoring in accounting with a minor in indigenous nations studies.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON DUNLEAVY:
"Ceil is a three-time Alaskan State champion in the high jump and has a current personal best jump of 5-08. She is a great competitor, has the skill set to be a great jumper and someone who can step in and have success right away."
 

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Taylor Elliott
Jumps
Eagle, Idaho
Eagle HS
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
200m – 27.00 – Prep (2014)
High Jump – 5-06 (1.67m) – Prep (2017)
Triple Jump – 34-02 (10.41m) – Prep (2017)
 
EAGLE HIGH SCHOOL:
Four-year Idaho state qualifier…Freshman Track & Field Athlete of the Year (2014)…Captained her women's track team as a senior…Competed at the Oregon Relays, Simplot Games and Nike Chandler Rotary (2 years) while in high school.
 
CLUB:
YMCA Team Idaho Winter Indoor (2013-17)…YMCA Team Idaho Club Outdoor (2014-17).
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Daughter of Daryl and Denise Elliott…Has a sister, Sydney Elliott…Two-year women's team academic award recipient for highest combined GPA (2014, 2016)…Four-year academic honor roll member…Lists reading/writing as hobbies/interests…Hopes to become a psychotherapist with a special emphasis on adolescent mental health…Plans on majoring in psychology with a minor in English.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON ELLIOTT:
"Taylor's primary event is the high jump. She placed fifth at the Idaho state meet last year and is currently ranked third in the state this season. We love the fact that she consistently jumps 5-06 and is someone we feel shows great potential to jump higher. Both She and Ceil give us nice depth at a position that we really wanted to strengthen."
 

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Tay Kilcup
Sprints
Everett, Wash.
Clackamas CC (Meadowdale HS)
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
100m – 10.78 – Prep (2014)
200m – 22.33 – Prep (2014)
High Jump – 6-02.00 (1.87m) – Prep (2013)
 
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE:
All-American in the 4x100 while at Clackamas Community College…Lettered in football and track & field while in high school…Qualified for the state meet in the 100 as a junior and senior…Won back-to-back district titles in the 100 meters as a junior and senior in high school…Broke his school's record in the 100 with a finish in 10.78 seconds…Won the district title in the high jump as a junior…Won the district title in the 4x100 as a senior…Named an all-conference first-team cornerback during his senior football season.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Son of Marcella Hawthorne and Gary Kilcup…Has three brothers, Tyrell, Gary and Dominique, and two sisters, Jenntay and Lamonte…Lists automotive mechanics as a hobby/interest…Plans on majoring in criminology and criminal justice.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON KILCUP:
"Tay is coming to us from Clackamas Community College, where he was coached by Keoni McHone. We got a chance to watch Tay at a few of the local meets and really liked what we saw. A great teammate who's strength is the 100m and is someone who can certainly run on the 4x100 relay and get after the 200 as well. He is currently ranked as the top sprinter in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC)."
 

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Josh Pikes
Sprints/Hurdles
Sylmar, Calif.
Valencia HS
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
200m – 21.88 – Prep
300m – 35.78 – Prep
400m – 50.55 – Prep
110-meter hurdles – 15.4 – Prep
 
VALENCIA HIGH SCHOOL:
Helped his team win its league title in 2016…2017 California Winter champions in the 4x200 and Sprint Medley Relay…2017 Foothill League champions in the 4x100 and 4x400.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Son of Stacy and Lonnie Joseph, as well as Chris Pimea…Has two brothers, Christian and Zack Pikes, and a sister, Lauryn Joseph…Ran in the Junior Olympics in 2011 in the 100 and 4x100…Lists playing video games and going fishing as hobbies/interests…Plans on majoring in social work.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON PIKES:
"Josh is someone who has really improved during his senior year. The Southern California native has experience in the longer sprints, as well as the hurdles, and we're looking forward to seeing where he can make the biggest impact for us."
 

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Jean Rwandika
Throws
Hillsboro, Ore.
School of Science and Technology/Aloha HS
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
Javelin – 199-09 (60.88m) – Prep (2017)
 
ALOHA HIGH SCHOOL:
Finished in the top eight of the state in the javelin as a junior in 2016…All-league second-team selection in the javelin in 2016…Also lettered in football for two years of high school…Named to the all-league second team as a defensive back in football…Also named an honorable mention all-league running back.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Son of Desire and Regina…Graduated from the School of Science and Technology, but competed athletically for Aloha…Earned an "Excellence in Mathematics" award in 2015…Named to the Honor Roll in 2016…Played for his high school's ultimate Frisbee club team for three years…Also joined his high school's Green Club…Plans on majoring in engineering with a minor in exercise science.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON RWANDIKA:
"Jean is another local we were able to get out of Aloha. He currently is ranked number one in the state of Oregon in the javelin with a personal best at this point of 199-09. He is another freshman we feel can make an impact right away at the conference level."
 

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Nicole Terry
Jumps
Elk Grove, Calif.
Cosumnes Oaks HS
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
100m – 12.95 – Prep (2016)
Long Jump – 18-05.00 (5.61m) – Prep (2017)
Triple Jump – 34-11.50 (10.65m) – Prep (2017)
 
COSUMNES OAKS HIGH SCHOOL:
Capital Valley Conference champion in the long jump and triple jump as a junior in 2016…CIF Division II long jump champion as a junior in 2016…California state meet qualifier in the long jump in 2016…Part of CIF Division II champion 4x100-meter relay team in 2015 and 2016…Qualified for the Arcadia Invitational night meet in the long jump in 2017.
 
CLUB:
MP Striders Track & Field (1 year)…Pacific United Track & Field (5 years)…Gold Rush Track & Field (1 year).
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Daughter of Elease and Darol Terry…Has a sister, Mia Terry…Given certificate of appreciation from the County of Sacramento Department of Health and Human Services in 2016…Given certificate of appreciation for Minority Health Professions Mentor Program in 2015…Given certificate of appreciation for Youth at City Council Program in 2014…Honor Roll member from 2013-17…Scholar Athlete award, 2013-17…California Golden State Seal merit diploma recipient…Lists singing, drawing, Black Student Union, cross country manager, culinary academy and assisting those in need as hobbies/interests/campus activities…Hopes to become a breast oncologist…Plans on majoring in health sciences with a minor in business.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON TERRY:i
"Nicole is from Cosumnes Oaks high school in Elk Grove, Calif. Nicole will help us continue what have been strong events for us, participating in the long and triple jump. She was the San Joaquin section champ and went on to qualify for the California state track meet. We liked the fact that she is solid technically and has the potential to get much faster."
 

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Hannah Tomeo
Distance
Spokane, Wash.
Mead Senior HS
 
PERSONAL BESTS:
Cross Country:
5,000m – 18:49 – Prep
 
MEAD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL:
Lettered in basketball, cross country and track in high school…Named to the All-Colville Team, an honor given out by the Tribal Tribune to athletes from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation...Named Most Valuable sophomore, junior and senior in high school.
 
CLUB:
Competed for the Spokane Mercury for two years.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Daughter of Damien and Misty Tomeo…Has a brother, Alofa Tasi Tomeo…Miss Northwest Indian Youth conference royalty…Lists jingle dress dancing, running, hula and boxing as hobbies/interests…Hopes to become a lawyer…Plans on majoring in pre-law with a minor in business.
 
COACH ERICKSEN ON TOMEO:
"Hannah is currently a senior at Mead Senior High School in Spokane, Wash., and adds depth to our women's distance program. During her senior year in cross country, she posted a personal best in the 5k of 18:49 and has shown some speed on the track in the 1,600-meter run. Coach Seitz really likes her potential to develop in the longer events."