Feb. 23, 2010

Photo Gallery

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Head coach Andrew Valmon has announced eight high school student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to participate in track and field at the University of Maryland beginning in Fall 2010.

The list includes prep All-Americans, high school state champions and performers who will come to Maryland to make an immediate impact.

Two local athletes are on the list - Amina Smith (Patuxent High School) comes on board as an accomplished high jumper at the state and national levels. Cory Puffett (DeMatha High School) is one of the most recognized cross Ccountry athletes within the local area.

"This incoming class of athletes will represent multiple event areas and all athletes have a diverse range of talents," said Valmon. "We look forward to blending the strengths of this incoming group with our current team to make for a competitive roster.

"We have a solid representation of some of the best athletes from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey entering in our program next year. Together they will make a solid impact on the program's future. I would like to welcome all of our incoming athletes and their families to join us as Terps."

WOMEN

Amina Smith
Jumps
Lusby, MD (Patuxent High School)

National champion in high jump after winning the event at the AAU Junior Olympic Games in 2008 ... placed first in the high jump at the Calvert County Invitational with a mark of 5-10, tying the #1 mark in the country in 2010 ... placed first and set a personal best in the triple jump at Calvert County Invitational with a mark of 37-1 ... placed second and set a personal best in the 55-meter high hurdles at the Calvert County Invitational with a mark of 8.88 ... five-time state champion ... placed first in the triple jump at the 2010 indoor SMAC Championships with a mark of 36-6 ... placed first in the high jump at the 2010 indoor SMAC Championships with a mark of 5-8 ... placed second in the 55-meter high hurdles at the 2010 indoor SMAC Championships in 9.11 ... placed second in the high jump at the Penn Relays Carnival in 2010 with a mark of 5-8.

Ayanna Fields
Sprints
Villanova, PA (The Academy of Notre Dame)

All-state honors in 2009 for the 400 indoors ... first team all-Delco in 2009 outdoor season ... all-state honors in 2008 for the 400 outdoors ... first place and personal best in the 800 at the 2009 Delco Outdoor Championship in 2:12.56 ... first place in the 400 at the 2008 Delco Outdoor Championship ... participated in the AAU Junior Olympic Games in 2009 ... finished twelfth in the 400 at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in 2009 ... first team all-Delco in 2008... first team all-Main Line indoor in 2008 ... qualified for indoor state finals as a freshman in the 60 ... ran for Force Fields Track Club from 2003-2010 ... Indoor Armory Youth Champ, AAU West Coast Champ, AAU Region II Champion and AAU District Champion for Force Fields. Personal bests include 55.94 in the 400m and 24.89 in the 200m.

Caitlin Orr
Long Distance
Shamong, NJ (Lenape High School)

Ran a personal best of 4:52.95 in the 1600m at the NJ Meet of Champions...Placed first and set a personal best in the 800 at the Colts Neck Invitational in 2:20.60 ... ran an indoor personal best in the mile at the Hispanic Games in 2010 ... placed second in the 5000 at the NJSIAA Sectional Championships in 2009 ... placed first overall at the Olympic Conference Championships in 2009.

Julie Sinkovitz
Long Distance
Township of Washington, NJ (Immaculate Heart Academy)

Given Lou Molino MVP award for performance at the Bergen County indoor relays meet ... placed second and set a personal best in the 5000 at Bergen County Cross Country Championships in 2009 at 19:08.00 ... ran a personal best of 2:13.80 in the 800m ... finished twelfth in the 800 at the Nike Indoor Nationals in 2009 at 2:15.57 ... named first-team All-Suburban as a member of 4x400 meter relay team.

Corrie Gethard
Long Distance
Manahawkin, NJ (Southern Regional High School)

Placed first and set a personal best in the 3200 at the Shore Conference Championships in 11:24.43 ... placed second in the 1600 at the Shore Conference Championships in 5:17.29 ... placed fifth and set a personal best in the mile at the New Balance Games in 5:06.29 ... placed 18th in the 2000 steeplechase at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in 8:10.54.

Jessica Tobin
Long Distance
West Nyack, NY (Clarkstown South High School)

Lettered four years in cross country and outdoor track and field, lettered three years in indoor track and field ... placed 24th in the mile at the 2010 Hispanic Games at 5:27.49 ... placed 16th and set a personal best in the 5000 at the 2009 New York State Championships in 18:05.20 ... placed first in the 5000 at the Section 1 Championships in 2009 ... placed first in the 5000 at the Byram Hills Bobcat Run in 2009 ... first team all-league, first team all-section, third team all-state, third team all-region in cross county for the Vikings ... current course record holder at Byrum Hills.

MEN

Cory Puffett
Long Distance
Hyattsville, MD (DeMatha Catholic High School)

Finished sixth at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional XC meet in 2009 ... finished 37th at the XC Foot Locker Nationals in 2009 ... placed second at the U.S. Army X-Country at Maymout meet, setting a personal best in 15:33.00 ... placed third in 3200m at the WCAC Championships in 2009 ... placed twelfth in the 3200 at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships in 2009.

Joshua Haghighi
Thrower
Roslyn Heights, NY (The Wheatley School)

Lettered three years in outdoor track & field for the Wildcats, two years in indoor track & field ... first place in state for shot put in 2009 ... fourth place in state for shot put in 2008-2009 indoor season ... fifth place in state in shot put in 2008 ... 2006 all-state honors in shot put ... personal best shot put of 61-9.5 ... personal best discus throw of 169-3.

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