July 10, 2006 SYCAMORES SIGN SIX TO 2006-07 MEN’S T&F ROSTER TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana State track and field head coach John McNichols announced the signing of six athletes that will join the Sycamores for the 2006-07 campaign. The list is highlighted by two Indiana state champions as individuals and another athlete who claimed a state title in a relay event. Brandon Youngdale will join the Sycamores after a state title run at Western High School in Kokomo, Indiana. As a senior, Youngdale cleared a height of 6 feet 10 inches en route to claiming first place at the state championships. The mark is just shy of what the NCAA Regional mark was in 2006 (6 feet 10.75 inches) and almost six inches more than the ISU best in 2006. “Brandon is one of the most consistent jumpers in the state,” McNichols said of Youngdale. “He cleared 6 feet 7 inches or better every meet for the first three weeks of the season.” Clayton Wilson (Indianapolis, Ind./Southport HS) captured the Indiana state crown in the 400-meter dash, crossing the line at 47.39. In addition, Wilson was a state finalist in the 110-meter hurdles, finishing sixth with a time of 14.27. Wilson will bring an immediate depth to the sprints and will contribute immediately in the relay events. “Clayton will be part of a very competitive 4 x 400-meter relay next year,” McNichols said. “He has the talent to help us in the sprints and hurdles.” Patrick Mendenhall (Newton, Ill./Newton HS) was a state finalist in four events. As a senior, Mendenhall finished second in the 110-meter hurdles (15.20) and sixth in the 200-meter dash (22.65). He was a part of two relay teams that finished third and first with times of 1:31.09 and 42.94 in the 4 x 200-meter relay and 4 x 100-meter relay, respectively. “Patrick led our area in the 100-meter hurdles,” said McNichols, “and helped lead his team to the Illinois State Championship this spring.” John Lautzenheiser (Richmond, Ind./Richmond HS) will bring depth to the sprints and will also participate in the long jump. Lautzenheiser was a state finalist in the long jump in 2005 and 2006 and compiled eight regional and sectional titles. “John was the state runner-up at the NSR Championships this past March,” McNichols commented. “He will help us in the sprints as well as the long jump.” Bruce Black (Trenton, N.J./Hamilton West HS) will make the longest trip to join the Sycamores in the fall and joins only a handful of athletes on the roster from the eastern states. Black finished first in the 100-meter dash at the Mercer County Championships and also added a second-place finish in the Eastern State Indoor Championships in the 55-meter dash with a finishing time of 6.43. “Bruce is one of the top sprinters out of New Jersey,” McNichols said of the sprinting specialist. Kurt Heimann (Beese, Ill./Rend Lake College) is one of several athletes that have joined the Sycamores after a successful career at Rend Lake College. Heimann was a member of the 4 x 800-meter relay team that placed second at the 2006 NJCCA Outdoor championships. Heimann attended Breese Central High School and qualified as a state finalist in the 800-meter run, finishing eighth. “Kurt is a late bloomer, coming through in college at Rend Lake,” McNichols said. “We will focus on the 800 through the mile with Kurt.” Indiana State enjoyed one of its most successful seasons with conference
titles in men’s cross country and outdoor track and field.
The Sycamores will look to continue the success with the additions
to the 2006-07 season.
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