Boston University director of track and field Gabe Sanders has announced the addition of 33 recruits to the class of 2024. 14 student-athletes will join the women's team next year, while 19 will join the men's team.
 
"It's my pleasure to announce the Boston University Cross Country and Track & Field rising class of 2024," Sanders said. "This is a testament of the hard work and due diligence of our staff and team to construct a class that embodies the direction this program wants to go in the future, and that is to become the standard of academic and athletic excellence not only in the Patriot League but the NCAA as well. This is probably the most well balanced and deepest class BU has seen across all event areas in a long time. The coaching staff did a phenomenal job expressing the vision for this program and finding those student athletes that not only fit in that vision but are excited to be a part of it. Many of these student athletes we foresee not only at the top of the podium in the Patriot League, but will also have a presence at the national level. We are headed in the right direction and these amazing young people will be leading the way. It's a great day to be a Terrier!"

MEN'S DISTANCE
"Our men's class includes both quality and depth which is important in replacing our graduating seniors," said assistant track & field coach and head cross country coach Paul Spangler. "Both Matt Mason and Spencer Twyman have the ability to come in and contribute to our team score immediately. There is plenty of talent in the remainder of the class that will be counted on to contribute to our team goals as they develop."


 

 Alex Brown
Hopkinton High School • Hopkinton, Mass.
Personal bests: 2 mile - 9:29, 5k - 15:45, 3 mile - 15:24
Athletic accolades:  7th place at Mass. All-State 2 mile, Indoor National Qualifier, 18th at All-State Meet Cross Country for Mass.
Why I choose BU: "I chose BU because of the great academics programs the school has to offer and because BU had a very strong and competitive cross country and track and field teams."




 

Ryan Dempsey
Hamilton High School • Chandler, Ariz.
Personal bests: 3200 - 9:35.95, 1600 - 4:24.52, 3 mile - 14:55.9, 5K - 15:44.8
Athletic accolades: (XC) 2x Team Captain & MVP, First Team All-Region, Arizona Coaches Association All-American, Hamilton High School Scholar Athlete of the Year 2019-2020 Cross Country.  (T&F) First Team All-Region 3200m,  First Team All-Region 1600m, All-District Team 1600 and 3200, 5th Place D1 State Finish 3200m & 1600m
Why I choose BU: "I chose BU because of the exceptional art and running programs, and because I wanted to get out of my hometown and explore a new part of the country.  I have always loved the city of Boston and wanted to take my talents in art and running to a city that can support my future goals in these areas." 


 

 Robert Hannon 
Point Pleasant Beach • Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.
Personal bests: 3200 - 9:32, 5K XC - 15:41
Athletic accolades: 2x NJ T&F State Sectional Champion in 3200m and Cross Country 5K.
Why I choose BU: "I chose BU to be in a city where I can make a ton of connections for post-college plans. I wanted to compete for BU because I really enjoyed my visit with the team and because the young guys seemed determined to make the team even stronger."




 

Luke Hanratty
Old Saybrook High School • Old Saybrook, Conn.
Personal bests: 1000m - 2:38.05, 600m - 1:26.37, 1600 - 4:47.0
Athletic accolades: 5x Conn. All State in Track & Field, Class S Champion in the 800m, 2x New England Championship Qualifier.
Why I choose BU: "I chose BU because of it's academics, athletics, and location. All of these things were a great fit for me. I am very excited to have the opportunity to be coached by Coach Spangler and be a part of a great team."




 
 

 Luke Kramer 
Ocean City High School • Longport, NJ
Personal bests: 800m - 1:59, 1600m- 4:25
Athletic accolades: 3x A.C Press All Star, 4x Cape-Atlantic League All Star.
Why I choose BU: "From my first visit I fell in love with the city and the atmosphere of the school."
 





 

 Will Loggia 
Westfield High School • Westfield, N.J.
Personal bests: 1600m - 4:24.61, 3200m - 9:34.00 5K, XC - 15:49.40.
Athletic accolades: State Sectional XC Champion in 2018 & 2019, 1st Team All-County in XC as a junior and senior, 2nd Team All-State Group IV in XC as a senior.
Why I choose BU: "I really love everything about BU. The great coaches, awesome facilities, people on the team, and amazing academic opportunities and resources. I am very excited to be a part of this fantastic program, and contribute to the Terrier tradition."
 


 

Matthew Mason
Sir Wilfrid Laurier S.S  • London, Ontario
Personal bests: 800 -  1:58, 1500 - 4:00, 3000 - 8:32
Athletic accolades: 2019 OFSAA Cross Country Champion, 2018 ACXC Team National Champions, 7x regional champion combined in cross country and track and field Sir Wilfrid Laurier school record holder in the 3000m. 
Why I choose BU: "Because of the exciting, competitive and welcoming atmosphere I experienced while visiting. I could tell that I fit in with the goals of the school, the coaching staff and the other athletes. As well, I look forward to joining a cross country team that has a strong, young core that has the potential to be very successful in the future."   


 

Devon Meth
Lawrence High School • Lawrenceville, NJ Personal bests: XC 5K - 16:01, 3200M - 9:44
 



 

Nate Somers Personal bests: 1600m (indoor) - 4:31.09, 3200m (indoor) - 9:55.58, 800m - 2:03



 

Spencer Twyman Personal bests: 3200 - 9:16, 3k - 8:40, 5k - 15:40 Why I chose BU: "I chose Boston University because of the opportunities on and off the track. The ability to compete at a D1 school while attending a first class engineering program."




WOMEN'S DISTANCE
"The women's class will add depth to a women's team coming off a successful cross country season," said Spangler "We have seen our women make significant improvements once they arrive at BU and I would expect the same for this freshmen class. There is plenty of talent in this group of recruits and I look forward to watching them develop into contributors at both the Patriot League and NCAA level."

   

 

Sonja Dommen
Burlingame High School • Burlingame, CA
Personal bests: 1600m-5:16, 3200m-10:51, 5k-19:22
Athletic accolades: Two year varsity cross country captain, ranked 5th in the Central Coast Section in cross country,  ranked 10th in the 3200m in the Central Coast Section, two-time state championship qualifier.
Why I chose BU: I knew BU was the right fit for me because of the welcoming nature of the program and BU cross country's tight-knit group of amazing women in addition to the high caliber BU's academics. 


 
 

Aoife Kenny
Baccalaureate School for Global Education • Sunnyside, N.Y..
Personal bests: 3000m - 10:31.70, 1500m - 4:43.97, 800m - 2:16.79
Why I chose BU: "I chose BU because of the combination of great athletic and academic opportunities. The city of Boston and the running culture there was an added bonus."






 

Addie Marple
Newton South High School • Newton, Mass.
Personal bests: 800m - 2:22, 1000m - 3:04, mile - 5:20
Athletic accolades: 4x DCL Allstar for each season, "New Balance Nationals" competed in 4x800, 2x Boston Globe all-scholastic for indoor track, 3x team captain.
Why I chose BU: "I chose BU because I knew I wanted to be in a city. I loved the track and cross country programs and felt welcomed by the girls on the team that I met. I am very excited!"


 

 

Ella Schnell
Loy Norrix  High School • Kalamazoo, Mich.
Personal bests: 800m - 2:22, 1000m - 3:04, mile - 5:20
Athletic accolades: Earned all-conference honors in both the 1600m and 3200m. Captain and team MVP,  qualified for the state championship and earned academic all-state honors. 
Why I choose BU: "I chose BU because of the hardworking and welcoming team along with the academic opportunities."

 


 

 Brynn Siles
Legacy High School • Westminster, Colo.
Personal Bests: 5k (XC) - 17:29.00, 10k (road) - 36:27.00, 1600m - 5:02.88, 3200m - 10:39.30, 800m - 2:24.41.
Athlete Accolades: 2018 Colorado State Track and Field Championships 3200m Runner-Up, 2018 XC League & Regional Champ 2017, 3x Track & Field Academic All-State 1^st Team, 3x XC Academic All-State 1st Team.
Why I Chose BU: "I chose BU because I felt like it offered the right combination of academic and athletic opportunities that I was looking for, along with a variety of resources/support for student-athletes and a lively campus atmosphere."


 

Claire Wilson
The Ursuline School • Tuckahoe, N.Y.
Personal bests: 1500m - 4:50.92, 1200m - 3:43.04r, 1000m - 3:02.73, 800m - 2:20.59r, 2.5 miles (xc) - 15:55.80, 5k (xc) - 19:00.60.
Athletic accolades: New Balance Nationals DMR National Champion, 5x New Balance Nationals All American, 5x All-Westchester county, 3x All-New York state, T&F team captain.
Why I chose BU: "Out of all the schools I was looking at, BU had the best balance of academics and athletics. I loved the team dynamic and the coaching style. I'm looking forward to spending the next four years in Boston exploring countless opportunities, while studying at one of the best business schools in the country."

 
 
 

 Janelle Williams
Cheltenham High School • Wyncote, Penn.
Personal bests: 1600 - 5:10.06, 3,000-10:19.47, 5,000(xc) - 18:26.40.
Athletic accolades:  2x 3200 League Champion, 2x League Champion 5k (xc), district medalist 1600, 3x district medalist 5k (xc), ranked 11th in Penn. for 3,000 and 54th in U.S, 4x400 Penn Relay Philadelphia Area Champions.
Why I chose BU: "I chose BU because I felt like I could excel both academically and athletically. There are so many resources available at BU to help me progress. It was just the perfect balance that I was searching for in a university."


WOMEN'S JUMPS 

 

Averie Foster
Exeter Township  High School • Reading, Pa.
Athletic accolades: PIAA All-State Team, 4x All-Berks County Team, 6th place District 3 Long Jump, Berks County Long Jump Champion.
Personal bests: Long jump - 17'11.25", 200m - 25.75
Why I choose BU: "I fell in love with the campus at BU. The team was very welcoming and inviting. I feel BU has a great atmosphere that is really going to help me grow as a student and an athlete."
Assistant coach for jumps and multis Kristin Fleagle: "Averie is someone I am very excited about because she is silently motivated. She does the work, she wants to be great, and she gets it done. She has been on the steady rise of improvement since I met her, and she is going to develop well with the nice group of women she gets to work with in the next few years."   


 

 Jules Hogan 
Academy of Math and Science • Marlborough, Mass.
Personal bests: Long jump - 19'0", 400m - 58.44 
Athletic accolades: 5th place at 2019 New Balance National meet in LJ, 2020 Indoor LJ State Champion, 2nd in the 400m and 3rd in LJ at State Outdoor Championships, 4th in the 400m  at the 2019 outdoor All-State Championships, 10 total School Records, 5x MVP award winner, 4x MetroWest Daily News All-Star. 
Why I choose BU: "In my eyes, BU bestowed this opportunity to me to further test my limits and develop a sense of camaraderie amongst other driven athletes. While also hoping to pursue a career in physical therapy, I was fascinated by BU's nationally ranked DPT program and felt that the 6 year track would well equip me to pursue this great passion." 
Coach Fleagle: "Jules is one of the most well-rounded individuals I have ever recruited. She is a bright student, a caring teammate, a natural leader, and an athlete with a lot of untapped potential. She was a staple of my women's class commitments, and I know she is going to be an important leader in my squad as she continues to grow. She will also make an immediate athletic impact." 




 

Emma Scarra
Notre Dame High School • San Jose, Calif.
Personal bests: Long Jump - 17'4", Triple Jump - 36'11.25", High Jump - 5'2".
Athletic accolades: Triple jump school record holder, 2nd place triple jump in Central Coast Sectional, All- League Award in triple jump and the 4x100. 
Coach Kristin Fleagle: "Emma has a wide range of talents. She is going to bring a lot of variability to the squad. She is an athlete and will make a great addition to the multis or jumps squad depending on which direction we go. BU was a decision outside of her comfort zone, but I know she is going to excel here in many ways."



MEN'S JUMPS / MULTIS

 
 

  Stuart Bladen
Hopkinton High School • Hopkinton, Mass.
Personal bests: Decathlon - 6743, Heptathlon -5040, 60m Hurdles - 8.32, 110m Hurdles - 14.66. 
Athletic accolades: South of England Championship record holder for the indoor heptathlon, English Schools National Decathlon Champion, represented England at the U17 International pentathlon, 4 top ten finishes in individual events at nationals. 
Why I choose BU: "BU is the best place in the world for me to pursue my ambitions on the track and in the classroom. That's why I am traveling halfway across the globe for it."
Coach Kristin Fleagle: "I met Stuart way back in the middle of fall. I knew from our first phone chat that he was someone I was very excited about. In this small world of track and field, his coach is also none other than the son of the BU track legacy, David Hemery. He is going to be an immediate contributor to our team, and he is capable of NCAA competition as he continues to develop. I am honored to bring him into our squad and team."


 

Richard Buehling
York High School • Elmhurst, Ill.
Personal bests: Triple Jump: 44' 6.5" 
Athletic accolades: School record holder in the triple jump, USATF Junior Olympic Qualifier, All-Section, All-Conference.
Why I choose BU: "I love the movement the program is creating for BU track. When I visited, everyone was really passionate about striving towards becoming better. Everyone was pushing everyone to their limit, and I felt that environment was something I could not pass up."
Coach Kristin Fleagle: "Richard can help us on the conference level. He is one of the first athletes I ever had a phone call with when I got to BU. As he is an Illinois resident, and I am from Wisconsin, I felt like we built a solid connection from the start. I am excited for Richard to help get our men's squad of triple jumpers going!" 


 

 Kasim Cisse 
Transfer from Ithaca College • Bronx, N.Y.
Personal bests: High Jump: 6'11" (2.11m)
Athletic accolades: School Record in high jump, 3x Liberty League Field Performer of the Week, Liberty League First-Team in high jump, ranked No. 3 nationally in NCAA Division III prior to indoor national championship meet in 2020' to his accolades  
Why I choose BU: "BU had the best support system that will allow me to grow into a different type of beast." 
Coach Kristin Fleagle: "Kasim started track last year in college and realized he might be ok at this. He has so much room for growth, and I know he is going to be an NCAA qualifier as well as a conference champ in year 1. We clicked so well personality-wise in the recruiting process. I am honored he chose us, and I cannot wait to get to work with him."



 

Jacob Haaq
Unatego High School • Unatego, N.Y.
Personal bests: Triple Jump - 47'6.25", Long jump - 22'4.25" 
Athletic accolades: 2020 New York State Indoor Triple Jump Champion, Conference record holder in the triple jump, 8x Section IV Champion, 5x Class D Champion, 3x Conference Long Jump Champion, 3x Conference Triple Jump Champion 
Why I choose BU: "I knew BU was the place for me as soon as Coach K and I talked on the phone for the first time. I was looking for a program that would unlock my full potential, and I truly believe that Coach K and the terrier squad will be the ones to do it."
Coach Kristin Fleagle: "Jacob is the first recruit I had visit, the first recruit I had commit, and he has been the staple starting point for this new era of BU jumps. He has a wonderful energy and passion for the event. After meeting him on the phone for the first time, I knew he was someone I wanted to work with and help reach his full potential. Jacob is going to be a strong asset to the team."


WOMEN'S THROWS
 
 

  Katherine George
William H. Hall  High School • West Hartford, Conn.
Personal bests: Shot put - 38'7.25, Discus - 114'0
Athletic accolades: CIAC Class LL State Championship Runner-up in the indoor shot put in 2019 and 2020, CIAC Class L State Championship Runner-up in the discus in 2019, CIAC Class L State Championship 3rd place in the indoor shot put in 2018 and outdoor shot put in 2019.
Why I choose BU: "I chose BU because I really wanted a school that had great academics and a great track and field team, and BU has both!"
BU throws coach Grant Cartwright: "Katherine has shown a rapid and consistent improvement in the throws over the course of her high school career. Transitioning her into year-long training system will be exciting to watch her continue to progress."
 


 

 Emma Kowalski
Hilliard Darby High School • Hilliard, Ohio.
Personal bests: Hammer - 164'05", Discus - 140'03", WT - 53'10.75, Shot Put - 41'09"
Athletic accolades: 3x Division I OATCCC WT state champion, 3x OCC discus champion, 2x OCC shot put  champion, 3x OHSAA All-Ohio, Top 10 throw in Ohio weight and hammer history, 2x district discus champion, OATCCC Hammer State.
Why I choose BU: "I chose Boston University because I fell in love with the culture and community of the team. I also wanted to be a part of a competitive conference as well as to be challenged academically."
Coach Cartwright: "Emma has competed at a high level in shot put, discus, hammer and weight throw throughout her high school career, and has consistently performed well at championship level meets. We are excited to continue to assist her in her development as a student-athlete."
 

 
 

 Juliana Nakouzi
Bridgewater-Raynham High School • Bridgewater, Mass.
Personal bests: Discus - 115'9", Shot put - 37', Javelin - 110'
Athletic accolades: Mass. 2019 Division 2 State Champion, 6x All Scholastic, Bridgewater Raynham T&F Field Athlete of the Year 2020, 4x team captain, Bridgewater Raynham Athletics Hall of Fame, SEC and Old Colony League All Star, Shot Put, Discus, and Javelin Old Colony League Champion 2019.
Why I choose BU: "I choose Boston University because  the opportunity to study at the world renowned university and compete on their track and field team in my own backyard is a dream come true. Growing up around Boston my whole life, I have been on the BU campus many times and it just always felt like home to me. As I was going on my visits to meet the academic faculty and the coaches, it was amazing to see how enthusiastic they all were about everything they do. Seeing that really cemented me in my goal to become a Terrier and is why I chose BU."
Coach Cartwright: "Juliana will be a great addition to our team as someone who has dreamed of becoming a student-athlete at Boston University. She has shown based off of her athletic background and young training age that she has a high ceiling for development."


MEN'S THROWS

 

Sam Dennerlein
Chatham High School • Chatham, N.J..
Personal bests: Shot put - 53'10.25", Discus - 166'7"
Athletic accolades: County Champion, 3x sectional state champion, 4x New Jersey Meet of Champions qualifier.
Why I choose BU: "I chose Boston University because it has an extremely high academic standard, great track facilities, and wonderful people. I feel that I will be pushed to become the best person I can be at BU and I can't wait to compete as a Terrier for the next four years!"
Coach Cartwright: "Sam is an athlete that I have had my eye on for a few years. He has proven to be a consistent performer and has shown that he has the ability to grow in the hammer and weight as well. We are looking forward to watching his growth here."

 

 Asom Hayman-Jones
St. Johnsbury Academy • Glover, Vt.
Personal bests: Shot put - 53', WT - 55'7", Javelin - 167'
Athletic accolades: State Champion in outdoor shotput 2019, State Champion in indoor shotput 2020, State Champion in weight throw 2020, Caledonian Record Track and Field Athlete of the Year 2019 & 2020, Burlington TF Invitational Outstanding Field Athlete 0219
Why I choose BU: "I chose BU to be in a city where I can make a ton of connections for post-college plans. I wanted to compete for BU because I really enjoyed my visit with the team and because the young guys seemed determined to make the team even stronger."
Coach Cartwright: "Asom comes from an athletic background and was able to rapidly develop in the sport in a short period of time. We are excited to watch him develop as an athlete and person over the next four years."


WOMEN'S POLE VAULT


 

Allison Lofquist
Juanita High School • Kirkland, Wash.
Personal best: Pole Vault - 11'1
Why I choose BU: "When I visited I loved the coaches and the team. It had a great major for what I wanted to study. I could see myself excelling at BU and felt supported by everyone I met, loved being in the city, and truly felt at home."
Pole Vault Coach Stephen Fleagle: "I feel like we got a rare gem with Alli. She comes from a great club coach and has a deep background in gymnastics which transfers well to Pole Vault. She has a great attitude and will be a great teammate to have as a part of the incoming class and with the rest of the team at BU." 

 
MEN'S POLE VAULT

"I am looking forward to working with Charlie and Adam, said pole vault coach Stephen Fleagle. "They are raw yet have strong foundations that will allow them to elevate quickly. It will be great to learn balance of school and training from our 3 senior men in their first year to continue to elevate the vault group within the track and field program."

 

 Adam Madro 
Dulaney High School • Timonium, Md.
Personal bests: Pole Vault - 14'
Athletic accolades: BCPS All-County Athlete, 5x Baltimore County Champion, 3x Maryland State Medalist
Why I choose BU: "I was really drawn in by BU's focus on student-athletes, as well as the team's dynamic as a whole. The campus and undergrad research opportunities were also huge factors."


 

 

 Charlie McLaughlin 
Northfield Mount Hermon • Anchorage, Alask.
Personal bests: Pole Vault - 14'
Athletic accolades: Captain of the varsity track and wrestling team as a senior. 
Why I choose BU: "BU is near my brother and sister who also go to school in Boston (Harvard, BC). I also chose BU because I believe I will be opened up to a broad range of opportunities in school."
 

 
 MEN'S SPRINTERS

 

  Dakota Jackson
Allen High School (TX) • Oklahoma City, Ok.
Personal bests: 60m - 6.82, 100m - 10.70, 200m- 22.01
Athletic accolades: Ranked 6th in 60m dash in US 2020, Texas A&M Indoor  High School Invitational 60m dash champion.
Why I choose BU: "I'm excited to be a part of Boston University, I really feel like it's somewhere I can grow athletically, and academically and properly set up this next chapter in my life."
Coach Gabe Sanders: "In looking at the 2020 class we made a conscious decision to be incredibly selective in the sprints area to focus on our overall program needs. It was going to take a very special young person, as an athlete, a student, a citizen, and more to catch our eye. Someone we feel we could continue to build this sprints group around for the future. Dakota is a gem out of the hot bed sprinting state of Texas who fits this mold through and though."


 

Uchenna Nwosu
Franklin High School • Franklin Township, Somerset NJ
Personal bests: 55m hurdles - 7.52
Athletic accolades: 2019 NJSIAA Outdoor Group 4 State Champion. 2020 Skyland Conference Indoor Champion, 2020 Eastern States Champion (2nd place 55m Hurdles), Ranked 6th in the State of New Jersey for 55m Hurdle.
Why I choose BU: "I chose BU because it provides top ranked education in my areas of study, while also offering a unique opportunity to run track at a high collegiate level. BU also provided academic  and athletic resources outweighing those provided from other schools. BU allows me to leave my suburban environment to experience the city lifestyle that Boston offers."
Coach Gabe Sanders: "Uchenna is an athlete who came in late in the process as a pleasant surprise. He fits the mold of everything it means to be a Terrier. Striving for academic excellence while pushing himself to his limits on the track. His family background in athletics make for a very promising career in the long run and I'm excited to see how far we can take his athletics and academic career to the next level."