Abundant talent in Arkansas signing class with 15 additions

FAYETTEVILLE – Among the Razorbacks signing class for 2021-22 are a National Gatorade Athlete of the Year along with three other student-athletes who have been awarded Gatorade State Athlete of the Year honors during their high school careers.

In total, Arkansas women’s track and field adds a combination of 15 newcomers and transfers to a program that claimed the 2021 NCAA Indoor team championship, finished second in program of the year tabulations, and earned its seventh SEC triple crown.

“The success of our team attracts talented athletes eager to join our program, either from the high school level or as a collegiate transfer,” noted Arkansas women’s head coach Lance Harter, who is in his 32nd year with the Razorbacks.

“When we attract such a talented group of newcomers and add them into the fold with the returnees that we have, which is the vast majority of last year’s team, I think we’re super excited about the cross country season, but even more so for the indoor and outdoor seasons.”

Sydney Thorvaldson of Rawlings, Wyoming, earned the 2020-21 National Gatorade Cross Country Athlete of the Year while state track and field honors have been garnered by Sydney Billington of Rogers, Arkansas; Sophie Galloway of Mayfield, Kentucky; and Britton Wilson of Henrico, Virginia.

Thorvaldson also has a collection of six Wyoming Gatorade Athlete of the Year honors, four in cross country (2017-2020) and a pair in track and field (2018, 2019). Galloway, meanwhile, has been named Kentucky Gatorade Athlete of the Year in track and field four consecutive times (2018-2021).

An international addition to the Arkansas program is distance runner Carmie Prinsloo of Pretoria, South Africa, who will be the fourth female distance runner from South Africa to become a Razorback. With impressive credentials covering a range of distances from 800m to 10,000m, Prinsloo’s versatility provides Arkansas with talent and additional depth for each of the three seasons.

Sprinter Joanne Reid joins a progression of talented Jamaican athletes who have elevated the Razorback sprint and hurdle event areas. Reid’s experience includes success at the Jamaica Boys & Girls Championships, Penn Relays, and Carifta Games.

Event areas covered by this incoming group of Razorbacks includes sprints and hurdles (4), distance (6), pole vault (1), jumps (2) and multi-event (2).

Five transfers who have previous collegiate experience includes Wilson from Tennessee, Amanda Fassold of Azusa Pacific, Ava Shackell from Arizona State, Ashanti Denton of Mississippi, and Jaden Wiley of Kansas.

Newcomers who ranked among the best U.S. high school marks for 2021 include Thorvaldson, No. 1 in the 3,000m (9:09.70i) and 2 miles (9:47.95i); Allie Janke of Spokane, Washington, No. 2 in the 1,500m (4:23.79); Heidi Nielson of Katy, Texas, No. 10 in the 1,500m (4:27.23), Billington, equal No. 8 in high jump (5-10), and Galloway, No. 3 in heptathlon (5,111) and No. 4 in the triple jump (41-7 ¾).

2021-22 Arkansas women’s signing class

Sydney Thorvaldson | Rawlins, Wyoming | Rawlins HS

Named 2020-21 Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year. Among national competition in her senior cross country season won XC Town Meet of Champions in Terre Haute, Indiana, bettering the high school 5km course record by 11 seconds on the challenging LaVern Gibson Championship course, and in Lubbock she won in 16:23.9 over a 5km course. At Heritage Distance Classic posted the fastest documented high school 5km in Colorado with a 16:19.0. Also, the only female to run sub-17:00 in Wyoming (races above 4,800 feet elevation).

A four-time Wyoming Gatorade Cross Country Athlete of the Year (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) and two-time Wyoming Track and Field Athlete of the Year (2018, 2019). Won the 2020 Wyoming Class 3A state meet with a state record time of 16:59.6 in claiming a fourth consecutive state title. Over her four-year high school career in cross country she totaled 35 victories and never lost a race in Wyoming.

Bronze medalist at 2019 Nike Cross Nationals after defending her Nike Northwest Regional title. In 2018, finished 13th at Nike Cross National following a region title. During 2017 race, placed third in regional and ninth in national meet.

On the track in 2021, claimed double victories indoors at Virginia Showcase in mile (4:43.90 PR) and 2-mile (9:47.95 PR). Then won 2-mile (9:55.09) at adidas Indoor Nationals. Her 2-mile time at Virginia ranks second on the all-time high school list, while her mark at adidas meet is the sixth best performance in indoor high school history. She was the 2021 world U20 leader indoors in the 2-mile and ranked second in the mile as well as the 3,000m with a split of 9:09.70 from her 2-mile race.

Carmie Prinsloo | Pretoria, South Africa |Hoërskool Montana

2018 Youth Olympian who is the fourth female distance runner from South Africa to become a Razorback, following Christine Kalmer, Dominique Scott and Carina Viljoen. In March of 2020, in three races over a span of seven days, improved her best times to 4:17.09 (1,500m), 16:39.64 (5,000m) and 2:06.66 (800m).

During 2021 season, bettered times in 3,000m with 9:13.51, and 5,000m with 16:12.57. Among U20 lists, ranked as the top South African in 2021 in the 3,000m and 5,000m while No. 15 in both events on Africa U20 list. Bronze medalist at South African Championships in 1,500m, and her top time of 4:18.05 for the season ranked first in South Africa on the U20 list and No. 14 among Africa U20.

A two-time South African junior cross country champion who has raced barefoot, competed in the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Denmark, placing 27th and finishing second among the South African squad as they were fifth in team scoring. Competed in the 2019 Senior Championships in South Africa, claimed silver medals in the 1,500m and 10,000m. During the Youth Olympics, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, finished fourth in the 3,000m and also placed 13th among a field of 52 athletes in a cross country race.

Allie Janke | Spokane, Washington | North Central HS

During 2019 track season, won Washington state titles in 1,600m and 3,200m with career best times of 4:43.60 and 10:10.83. In 2018, claimed state 1,600m (4:55.48) title and was runner-up in 3,200m (10:40.36). In 2019 cross country, defended her Washington state title and finished fourth in the Nike Cross Nationals Northwest Regional. Won 2018 state cross country title, placed ninth in Nike Northwest Regional, runner-up in Foot Locker West Regional and 22nd in Foot Locker National meet.

With 2020-21 cross country and track seasons abbreviated due to pandemic, won the 3A Washington virtual state meet with a PR of 16:42.1 over 5,000m. During track season, set PR of 4:23.42 in mile at Portland Track Festival.

Heidi Nielson | Katy, Texas | Cinco Ranch HS

Fifth in 5,000m at 2019 Pan-American U20 Championships. 2019 USATF Junior silver medalist in 5,000m (16:54.02 PR) and placed fourth in 1,500m (4:34.24). Won 5,000m title at 2018 New Balance Nationals.

Also established career best times of 2:12.39 in 800m, 4:34.08 in 1,500m, 4:46.38 in 1,600m, 4:48.50 mile, and 10:18.66 in 3,200m.

Bronze medalist at 2021 Texas 6A State Championships in 1,600m and 3,200m. Silver medalist in 1,600m at 2019 Texas 6A meet and fourth in 3,200m. During 2018 state meet, silver medalist in 1,600m and bronze medalist in 3,200m. Summer racing in 2021 included a victory at 3,200m in TTFCA Meet of Champions, along with runner-up efforts in mile at NSAF Meet of Champions (4:48.50 PR), and in 1,600m at Texas Distance Festival.

Cross county accolades include bronze medal in 2020 Texas 6A championship. In 2018, she finished fourth in Texas 6A State meet after third in Region III-6A. Finished 26th in Nike Nationals and placed 28th in Foot Locker Nationals after placing second in FL South Regional and fifth in Nike South Regional. Also, fourth in 2017 Texas 6A State meet after winning Region III title.

Sophie Galloway | Mayfield, Kentucky | Marshall County HS, Benton, Ky.

Four consecutive years has been named Kentucky Gatorade Athlete of the Year (2018-2021). Collected total of eight state 3A titles with three each in long jump and triple jump along with a pair in 100m hurdles. Career best marks include 5,111 points in heptathlon, 42-7 ¾ triple jump, 19-7 ¾ long jump, and 5-7 ¼ high jump.

Holds Kentucky overall and 3A records in triple jump (41-7 ½) and 100m hurdles (14.10). Produced 5,111 best to place third in heptathlon at 2021 The Outdoor Nationals held in Eugene, Oregon. In 2019 USATF U20 Championships, finished 10th in triple jump.

Britton Wilson | Henrico, Virginia | Mills Godwin HS | Tennessee

2019 Virginia Gatorade Athlete of the Year. Named 2019 USATF Virginia Athlete of the Year. 10-time Virginia state champion. Claimed pair of 400m hurdle national titles in 2019, winning USATF Junior Championships (56.36) and New Balance Nationals (56.77), while placing second at Penn Relays. Finished fifth in 2019 Pan-American U20 Championships (58.19).

Virginia state titles were claimed in 200m (3) and 400m (2) outdoors, and 300m (3) and 500m (2) indoors. Won 300m at 2019 Millrose Games and finished runner-up in 400m at New Balance Indoor Nationals with an indoor best of 52.72. Career best marks from high school include 56.36 in 400m hurdles, 52.06 in 400m, 37.53 in 300m, 23.59 in 200m.

Competed on Tennessee relays in 2021 SEC Indoor Championships, placing sixth in 4×400 and distance medley as well as eighth on 4×400 in 2020. Set a collegiate best of 58.68 in 400m hurdles to win event at Tennessee Relays and raced in the event at 2021 SEC Outdoor Championships. Competed at 2021 NCAA Indoor Championships on 4×400 relay that finished 12th. Collegiate best marks include 24.21 in 200m, 38.62 in 300m, 52.99 in 400m.

Joanne Reid| St. Catherine, Jamaica | St. Jago HS

In 2021, ran on winning 4×100 relay at Jamaica Boys & Girls Championships and anchored third place 4×400 relay. During 2019 season, runner-up in 200m at Boys & Girls Championships and finished third in Jamaica U20 Championships. Ran on pair of relays that placed second in the 2017 Penn Relays, a 44.53 in 4×100 that she anchored and 4×400 that posted a 3:36.54 as she supplied the third leg carry. Ran second leg on Jamaica team that won 2017 Carifta Games in 3:38.73, also placed fifth in 200m. Established a career best 54.29 in winning 400m title at 2017 Boys & Girls Championships and finished second in Jamaica U18 Championships. Career best marks include 11.90 in 100m, 23.39 in 200m, 54.29 in 400m.

Sydney Billington | Rogers, Arkansas | Bentonville HS

2021 Arkansas Gatorade Athlete of the Year. Opened senior outdoor season equaling her career best of 5-10 in the high jump. Defended her State high jump title to cap an undefeated outdoor campaign. Indoors in 2021, won AAU Indoor Nationals and finished as runner-up in adidas Indoor Nationals.

Indoors in 2020, set career best of 5-10 to win Arkansas Indoor state title to defend her 2019 victory. Finished third in 2019 Arkansas 6A outdoor state meet and was third in 2018 at Arkansas state meet after runner-up performance at 2018 Arkansas Indoor.

Member of three state outdoor team championships. Indoors, team won title in 2020 after being runner-up the two previous years. A member of Bentonville HS golf team, which secured three State team championships.

Amanda Fassold | Hillsboro, Oregon | Glencoe HS | Azusa Pacific

Won 2021 PacWest pole vault title (13-9 ¼ | 4.20) and established career best height of 14-0 ½ (4.28) to win Bryan Clay Invitational. Broke 20-year-old Azusa Pacific school record in 2019-20 with a mark of 13-3 ½ (4.05) and improved it to 13-5 ¼ (4.10) that same indoor season. In 2019, during first full season competing in pole vault, qualified for NCAA Division II Championships, placing ninth (12-4 ¾ | 3.78) after finishing fifth in the PacWest Championships (11-6 ½ | 3.52). As a senior in high school, qualified for Oregon 6A State meet in the long jump, 200m, and 4×400 relay.

Grace Allen | Overland Park, Kansas | St. Thomas Aquinas HS

During 2021 Kansas 5A State meet earned gold in long jump, silver in 100m, and bronze in 4×100 relay while also placing fifth in 200m. School claimed team title with 92 points, winning by 37. Set career best of 19-5 in long jump to win Eastern Kansas League in 2021. Mark ranks No. 15 in Kansas prep history. Holds school records in 100m, 200m, 4×100 relay and long jump.

Ava Shackell | Olympia, Washington | Northwest Christian HS, Lacey, Wa. | Arizona State

Collegiate best marks include 4:43.14 in 1,500m, 5:20.80 in mile, 9:44.94 in 3,000m and 11:23.43 in steeplechase. Competed in two Pac-12 Cross Country Championships and one NCAA West Region meet.

Claimed three gold medals in Washington state meet as a senior, winning 800m, 1,600m, and 3,200m. Placed fourth in mile with PR of 4:59.90 at Brooks PR Invitational. In junior season, silver medalist in 800m, fourth in 1,600m and seventh in 3,200m at Washington state meet while also member of silver medal 4×400, running first leg.

Ashanti Denton | Chicago, Illinois | Homewood Floosmoor HS | Mississippi

Competed at Mississippi in 2021, with best times of 24.45 in 200m and 55.97 in 400m both occurring when she raced at Razorback Invitational during indoor season. High school best times include 24.88 in 200m, and 54.45 in 400m. Set 400m PR in winning 2019 Illinois state title. Placed third that season in 400m at Arcadia Invitational, and fifth at Great Southwest Classic.

Jaden Wiley | Springfield, Missouri | Kickapoo HS | Kansas

In high school, runner-up in 60m hurdles at 2020 Mizzou Indoor Championship with a career best 8.81. During 2019 season, won the 400m at Mizzou Indoor Championship while placing sixth in 60m hurdles.

In 2018, silver medalist in 400m hurdles at AAU Junior Olympics and placed third in 300m hurdles at Great Southwest Classic. Finished fourth in 300m hurdles at Missouri State meet and fifth in 100m hurdles. Earlier in season won the 300m hurdles and placed second in 100m hurdles at Kansas Relays. As a freshman in 2017, claimed state title in 300m hurdles and placed fourth in 100m hurdles at Missouri State meet and was runner-up at Kansas Relays in both hurdle races. Career best marks include 14.65 in 100m hurdles, 43.02 in 300m hurdles, 1:01.91 in 400m hurdles.

Macy Owens | Plano, Texas | Prestonwood Christian HS

Placed fourth in long jump at 2019 TAPPS 6A State meet, member of silver medal 4×100 relay and fifth place 4×400 relay. Best marks include 18-1 long jump, 13.91 in 100m hurdles, 46.01 in 300m hurdles, 5-0 high jump, and 106-5 javelin.

Mary Grace Lansing | LaGrange, Illinois | Lyons Township HS

Member of bronze medal 4×800 relay and finished sixth in the 800m at 2021 Illinois 3A State meet. Runner-up in 800m and 4×400 relay at 2019 West Suburban Conference Indoor Championships. In cross country, competed in the 2018 Nike Midwest Regional and finished 11th in WSC Championships.