Boston University director of track and field Gabe Sanders has announced the addition of 11 recruits to the class of 2025. Six student-athletes will join the women's team next year, while five will join the men's team.
 
"This initial class of signees for Boston University Track & Field represents everything we stand for here: Strive to be excellent. Strive to be elite. Strive to be the standard. Strive to BU," Sanders said. "World class athletics and world class academics are not in conflict and in fact compliment each other and that is exactly what makes these future Terriers so special. Every single person in this class we had the pleasure of working with recognized the opportunities presented here in the class room, in athletics, and in their lives. This next generation makes the vision and expectation of what it means to be associated with Boston University that much clearer! I especially applaud our staff and these young people navigating the unprecedented recruiting landscape of that last 8 months. It made us really cut out the fluff and get back to what truly matters, genuine relationship building. It is a proud day to be a Terrier!"


MEN'S SPRINTERS

 

Toby Makoyawo
St. Joan of Arc Catholic School • South Ruislip, England
Personal bests:  60m - 6.68, 100m - 10.66/10.38w, 200m - 21.45/21.06w
Athletic accolades:  5th ranked U20 sprinter in the world (6.68 in the 60m dash), Bronze Medalist at British Indoor Senior Championships in 2020. 
Why I chose BU: "Boston University offered me the best package to continue my academics and athletic career and I believe in 4 years time they will be one of the most competitive Track and Field programs in the country. I feel like part of the family already and I believe Boston University was the best set up to act as a  launch pad for my professional athletic career."
Coach Sanders on Toby: "Toby is the epitome of what we want this program to represent and that is to be the standard of athletic and academic excellence in the NCAA. From our first contact we both knew this was a perfect match for our shared aspirations, which is being a part of a world class academic institution and an athletic environment that will push Toby the highest levels. I see no ceiling for Toby's potential and can't wait to get him on Comm. Ave to start a new chapter in showing the world what he and BU are capable of."


MEN'S THROWS

 

Gabe Hickman
Turpin High School • Cincinnati, Ohio
Personal bests: Shot Put - 59' 4", Discus - 154'5", Weight Throw -  53'10"
Athletic accolades: No. 3 ranked in U.S. Indoor Class of 2021, Ohio Indoor State Champion, 2x All-Ohio, 2x ECC Field Athlete of the Year.
Why I choose BU: "I felt that BU was overall the best choice I could make. I loved the conversations I had with Coach Cartwright and Coach Sanders. I firmly believe that BU is a place where I can succeed both in athletics and in getting my degree. Go Terriers!." 
Coach Grant Cartwright on Hickman: "Gabe's character, athletic background and vision for himself were all components that got us and kept us excited about him. We're very excited to get him on campus and begin training."


 

Cole Tucker
Colts Neck High School • Colts Neck, N.J.
Personal bests: Shot Put - 59'11.5", Discus - 143'11"
Athletic accolades: US #9 Shot Putter 2021 (Indoors 2020), New Balance Nationals Qualifier.
Why I choose BU: "I chose Boston University because I know it will be the best training environment for me and it is a phenomenal coaching staff."
Coach Cartwright on Cole: "We are excited to welcome Cole to our team. He has continually made large jumps in his throwing each season of high school, building on his best even with a cancelled season. We are counting down the days to get him on campus to begin his training!"


WOMEN'S THROWS
 

Kiana Lino
Shorecrest High School • Seattle Wash.
Personal bests: Shotput - 44'10", Discus - 120' 8", Javelin - 115'8"
Athletic accolades: 2019 Washington State Shotput Champion, 2019 Women's Discus State Qualifier, 2018 Women's Shotput State Qualifier
Why I choose BU: "I chose to commit to Boston University because I truly believe in the coaches and the vision they have for their program. I believe that I will be able to improve myself as a student, athlete, and person at Boston University."
Coach Cartwright on Kiana: "As I have gotten to know Kiana, she has continuously demonstrated that she fits the mold of the type of student-athlete we are looking to bring into our program here at Boston University. Kiana has just begun to skim the surface of what she can accomplish as a thrower and our group is very excited to get her on campus and begin training."
 
WOMEN'S JUMPS

 

Emma Lawrence
Garrard County High School • Lancaster, KY
Personal bests: Triple Jump - 40'5" , LOng Jump - 18'.75"
Athletic accolades: First place at NASF Virtual Nationals in the triple jump, third place at New Balance Emergent Elite in long jump, third place at New Balance Champions Divisions in triple jump
Coach Kristin Fleagle on Emma: "Emma is a huge get. She is very new to the sport of track and field, and she has progressed so well in the last few years. From teaching herself to triple jump 2 years ago, to 40'+ jumps now, she is going to make an impact right away. I am thrilled to get to be her coach for these next 4 years while she adds great value to this jumps group and our team. NCAAs are on her horizon." 


 

 Jamie Chamberlain
Brookline High School • Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Pentathlon/Heptathlon
Personal Bests: LJ - 19', 100H - 14.85, HJ - 5'2", 55H - 8.27
Athletic accolades: Bay State League MVP 2019-2020, 5x Bay State League All Star, 3x team MVP, School record holder in long jump, 55H, and 100H, Mass. Div. I Champion in long jump 
Coach Feagle on Chamberlain: "I am excited to keep some local talent around this Boston Area. Jamie and I hit it off from the start of the recruiting process. I have no doubt she is going to thrive here and be an immediate contributor at the Patriot League level with looks to go on to NCAAs. I know she will keep the hard practices fun. I look forward to adding Jamie to the crew."


WOMEN'S DISTANCE

 

Vera Sjöberg 
Rudbeck High School • Stockholm, Sweden
Personal bests: 1500m - 4:29.19, 3000m - 9:37.77, 800m - 2:14.84
Athletic accolades: Ranked #1 U20 Swedish in 1500m in 2019, won gold at the Swedish National U20 Championships 3000m
Why I chose BU: "I chose BU because it offers a good combination of athletic and academic opportunities, in an inspiring environment. Many people spoke highly of the university."
Coach Paul Spangler on Sjöberg: "Vera comes in with impressive marks and experience. She will compete for a conference championship immediately and a spot at the NCAA championships."




 

Siona Chisholm
Gillis Regional High School • Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Personal bests: 1500m - 4:34, 3000m - 9:55, 5000m 16:56
Athletic accolades: 9 x provincial track and field gold medalist
Coach Spangler on Chisholm: "Siona will have an immediate impact in XC and track at both the Patriot League and NCAA level. She will compete for a conference championship immediately."





 

Sarah Hanifin
Villa Walsh Academy • Morristown, N.J.
Personal bests: 3200m - 10:57, 5K - 18:00
Athletic accolades: County XC Champion and indoor 3200m Champion in 2019
Why I chose BU: "I chose BU not only for the academic and athletic opportunities it had to offer, in the beautiful city of Boston, but also for the incredible community it has fostered on and off the track. I felt so comfortable walking around campus and just knew it was the right place for me to spend the next 4 years."
Coach Spangler on Hanifin: "Sarah will provide an immediate impact to our top seven and has the potential to develop into a potential conference champion in the coming years." 


MEN'S JUMPS

 

Ryan Rosenberger
Malvern Prep High School • Malvern, Penn.
Personal bests: 60H - 8.50, LJ - 22'7.25"
Athletic accolades: PA State Qualifier for Long Jump and 60H, PA All State Team 2020 in LJ, 2020 Indoor National Qualifier in LJ, 2020 Indoor Team Co-MVP, 3x TFCA of GP Meet of Champions Qualifier and 2x Medalist
Coach Fleagle on Rosenbeger: "Ryan is one of those kids that is going to sneak up on you because he isn't loud about his hard work. His personality and humor are a perfect fit for my group as well. He is near that 7m mark in long jump, and we are going to surely break that barrier and beyond in year 1. I am looking forward to how he is going to complement and push the group I already have."


MEN'S MULTIS

 

Steven Franco
Byram Hills High School • Byram, N.Y.
Athletic accolades: Qualified for NBN in the 400m relay and SMR in first year running track. Ranked 8th nationally among the class of 2021 in the indoor pentathlon. 2020 Indoor County champion in shot put. School record holder in the pentathlon and 400m relay. SMR All-State football player as a junior.
Coach Fleagle on Franco: "I've told him this from the start, he is going to be one of the most under-rated multi event athletes in the class of 2021. He has only been doing track for a year and a half. He is a natural athlete. He's used quarantine as a time to improve and I am in awe of his work ethic and improvements. He has a lot of room to grow but I think he will surprise many people in the next few years. I can't wait to hit the ground running with him."