Track & Field Announces 2023 Recruiting Class

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Track & Field has bolstered its class of 2023 with the addition of 33 incoming student-athletes.

Among the newcomers is Teresa Thomas, hailing from Kansas City, Mo., who specializes in 200m and 400m. Her arrival strengthens the Roos' roster for the upcoming season, as Thomas has a personal best of 54.1s in the 400 meters. Oklahoma native Jenelle Winterton can get the job done for the Roos on the track and the field. Winterton is a two-time 3A Oklahoma State Champion over 300 meter hurdles as well as the Oklahoma State Long Jump Champion.

True freshman Kenechukwo Okpareke will keep his sprinting talents in Kansas City. Okparake runs a 10.56 in the 100m and 21.81 in 200m. Cameron Gordon, a graduate transfer from Bethany College is a NAIA All-American in the 100-meter (10.59) and the 200-meter (21.20).

Abdelrahim Mahgoub returns home to Kansas City after running at Northwest Missouri State and West Texas A&M, where he ran a personal best of 1:50.60 over 800m and a 48.90 in the 400m. Branten Wilson is a great pick up for the Roos as Wilson has a personal best of 23'6.5 the long jump. That mark would have placed fourth in the Summit League this past outdoor season.

Women's Signees
Teresa Thomas | Sprinter | Kansas City, Mo. | Park Hill HS | Arkansas - Little Rock
In her freshman year during the 2021 Outdoor season, she took part in multiple events across five meets. Her notable achievements include impressive performances such as 12.23 in the 100m, 24.87 in the 200m, 57.34 in the 400m, and a long jump of 18-7 (5.52m).
She also played a key role in anchoring the 4x100m relay, setting the third-fastest school time. Additionally, she secured fourth place in the long jump at the Red Wolves Open. During her freshman year in the 2020-21 Indoor season, she competed in four events and various relays throughout all five meets. Her standout performances included reaching season highs of 8.07 in the 60m, 25.21 in the 200m, 56.77 in the 400m, and a long jump of 18-6 (5.64m). She notably claimed victory in the 400m at the A-State Kickoff Classic and actively participated in different relay events.
In her high school years, she graduated from Park Hill High School in 2020. She achieved top rankings in Missouri for the 100m, 200m, and long jump. Notably, she secured a state title as part of the 4x400m relay team. In addition to her track achievements, she showcased her skills as a basketball player, competing as a power forward for four years.

Jentrie Alderson | Distance | Salina, Kan. | Southeast of Saline HS | Pittsburg State
Achieving remarkable success, she clinched the title of a four-time Kansas Class 3A state champion in distance races. As a valuable member of the PSU cross country team, she further showcased her prowess. Her exceptional talents garnered recognition through All-MIAA honors, secured by her impressive third-place finish at the 2022 MIAA Championships. Her achievements extended to the NCAA Division II level, as she earned well-deserved All-Central Region honors, achieving a commendable sixth-place finish in the regional competition.

Emily Diercks | Distance | Hoxie, Kan. | Hoxie HS | Colby CC
Diercks graduated from Hoxie HS as a two-time state champion in 4x800m. She later became a junior college national champion while at Colby Community College in Kansas in the indoor 3000m with a time of 9:58.94.

Janelle Winterton | Hurdles | Lexington, Okla. | Lexington HS
Winterton graduated from Lexington High School as the three-time 3A 300m hurdle state champion with a time of 44.82 and Long Jump state champion with a leap of 17'2".

Anna Curtis | Middle Distance | Waterloo, Iowa. | Denver HS
The Roos add another 400 meter runner to the roster as Curtis will come in with a personal best of 58.90.

Paige Cordero | Jumps | Olathe, Kan. | Olathe West HS
Paige Cordero is another local recruit who primarily focuses on the long jump with a personal best of 18'8 ¼ (5.70m).

Mychael Green | Sprints | St. Louis, Mo. | Parkway Central HS
Green was a muti-sport athlete at Parkway Central HS, where she holds the school record in the 400m with a time of 58.23 and also played Volleyball and Basketball.

Harper Barlow | Distance | Yukon Okla. | Yukon HS
Barlow joins KC from Yukon High School in Oklahoma, where she participated in cross country and track & field. She competed for the Millers in many events ranging from the 4x400 meter relay to the mile.

Madelyn Russell | Distance | Salina, Kan. | Ellis HS
Russell was previously coached by David Ramsey at the Brocaw Blazers Track Club where she was able to collect accolades like Ellis HS 5k record holder in a time of 19:20 and a member of the school-record 4x800, team with a time of 10:07.86.

Jamaira Ross | Distance | Dallas, Texas | Lloyd V. Berkner HS | Pratt CC
A Pratt Community College transfer, Ross was 2023 Outdoor All-American finishing sixth in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 11:55.35. Ross also finished 17th at the 2023 NJCAA Cross Country Championships crossing the line with a time of 19:13.

Breegan Barnett | Hurdler | Elk City, Okla. | Merritt Public High School
Barnett is a three-time All State hurdler who also holds records in the 100m hurdle, 300m hurdle and long jump. Barnett graduated from Merritt Public HSl undefeated in the 300m hurdle with a time of 45.62.

Raven Estes | Hurdler | Delaware, Okla. | Oklahoma Union HS
Estes will add to the hurdling squad, as she can go down to the 100mh with a personal bests of 15.26 and up to the 300mh with a personal bests of 47.75. She will transition to the 400m hurdle for collegiate track and field.

Naomi Eyanagho | Multi-events | Prosper, Texas. | Frisco Memorial HS
The Roos add Naomi Eyanagho from the Lonestar state as she will be extremely helpful to the team. Eyanagho is a combination hurdler with the potential to score points at The Summit League.

Kopelyn DeLong | Distance | Ozark, Mo. | Ozark HS
With a personal best of 5:20 in the 1600m and 11:42 in the 3200m the Roos continue to add more depth on their distance side.

Tonique Fleming | Sprinter | Saint Michael, Barbados
The lone international recruit for the Roos, Tonique Fleming is a West Indian sprinting specialist with a personal best of 12.20 in the 100m and 25.28 in the 200m.

Maggie Boley | Distance | Blue Springs, Mo. | Blue Springs South HS
As a senior this past fall, Boley led the Blue Springs South girls' cross country team to a second place finish at the Girls XC Olathe Twilight meet out of thirty teams. Boley has also ran 5:15 in the 1600 and 11:30 in the 3200m.

Kanyon Olberding | Jumper | Circleville, Kan. | Jackson Heights HS
Olberding attended Jackson Heights High School where she was the KSHSAA 2A Regional long jump gold medalist with a personal record of 17'9.75 (5.18m).

Payden Pietrusinski | Distance | Wentzville, Mo. | Holt HS | St. Charles CC
NJCAA Nationals D3 cross country runner-up with a time of 19:09.

Sidney Martin | Sprinter | Hazelwood East HS | Bradley
Achieved 10th place in the 4x400 relay at the Missouri Valley Championship. Set an impressive record for Bradley's history, securing fifth place in the 4x400 relay with a remarkable time of 3:55.27 at the Hawkeye Invite.Shattered the school record in the 60m dash during MVC Championship prelims running 7.82. Achieved a personal best in the 200m at the same championship, marking the second-best time in school history.

Brooke Williams | Hurdler | Overland Park, Kan. | Shawnee Mission West HS
The Roos add one last hurdler to the roster as WIlliams is able to run the 100mh in 15.88 and the 300mh in 46.92. The Roos are excited to see how she transitions the 60mh and 400mh this upcoming season.

Men Signees
Kenechukwu Okpareke | Sprinter | Kansas City, Mo. | Rockhurst HS
A sprinting specialist, Kenechukwu is one of the most talented sprinters to come out of Kansas City during 2023. He ran his personal bests at the MSHSAA 5A State Championships; 10.56 to finish eleventh in the 100m and 21.78.

Cameron Gordon | Sprints | Omaha, Neb. | Omaha Central HS | Bethany College
Became an NAIA All-American and is a school record holder in 100m (10.59) and 200 meters (21.20).

Abdelrahim Mahgoub | Middle Distance | Kansas City, MO. | Oak Park HS | West Texas A&M
A West Texas A&M transfer and Kansas City native in 2022 Outdoor competitions showcased impressive performances, winning the 800-meter at the WT Last Chance Meet and achieving a personal best 2nd place finish in the 800-meter at the Jo Meaker Classic with a time of 1:50.05. Mahgoub also achieved a notable 6th place finish in the 400-meter at the WT Spring Break Classic with a personal best time of 48.90. Furthermore, Mahgoub secured the 12th spot in the 800-meters during the NCAA Division II National Championship.
During the 2022 Indoor season, Abdelrahim attained a 2nd place finish in the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) at the Texas Tech Open. Additionally, Mahgoub finished 4th place in the 400-meter prelims at the LSC Championships. A personal best of 1:50.60 was achieved in the 800-meter event at the GVSU Big Meet.

Branten Wilson | Jumper | Basehor, Kan. | Basehor-Linwood HS
With a background in 200m makes Wilson an even better jumper as he holds his school record in the long jump with a personal best of 23'6 ½ (7.17m).

Chayse McCullough | Distance | Plainville, Kan. | Plainville HS | Colby CC
McCullough is transferring in from Colby Community College where he ran in distances varying from 1500m all the way up to the 8k.

Carson Hill | Distance | Grain Valley, Mo | Grain Valley HS
Hill will be beneficial for the Roos as he has a background in the 5000m and was a four year state qualifier.

Evan Kiefer | Distance | Jackson, Mo. | Jackson HS
Kiefer will add depth on the distance side of the program with personal best of 4:32 in the 1600m and 9:31 in the 3200m.

Eli Block | Distance | Lee's Summit, Mo. | Lee's Summit North HS
Cross Country specialist from Lee's Summit holds a personal best of 16:18 in the 5K. Block has dropped his time significantly since his freshman year of high school with a start time of 18:24.1 to now 16:18.9 making him a great addition to the KC Cross Country team.

Jayden Strawn | Jumper | Liberty, Mo. | Liberty North HS
With a personal best of 6'5 in the High Jump will be a great addition for the Roos.

Nathan Hartman | Middle Distance | Kansas City, Mo. | Abilene HS
Hartman is returning from the Military and will be running the 800m for the Roos.

Ian O'Neal | Middle Distance | Shawnee, Kan. | Shawnee Mission Northwest HS
Shawnee Mission Northwest who specializes in the 800m and the Mile.

Najee Simpson | Sprinter | Raytown, Mo. | Raytown South HS
Simpson finished fifteen at the Missouri 5A outdoor state championships in the 200m. His personal record in that event is 22.52. Najee also specializes in the 400m with a personal best of 50.74.

Avi Belaustegui Cabral | Sprinter | Kansas City, Mo. | Lincoln Prep HS
He has a personal best in 100m of 11.17.

Track & Field Announces 2023 Recruiting Class

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