TEMPE - Head coach Dion Miller and the Sun Devil track & field/cross country program welcomed three new members to the ranks this week with the signings of top prospects Faith Bender (Bakersfield, Calif.), Dylan James (Perth, Australia) and Adriana Tatum (Albuquerque, New Mexico). The trio will begin their academic and athletic careers next fall.
"This year's signing class went well," Miller said. "Overall I think the recruiting went well considering all of the adjustments we had to make between having no contact and communicating over Zoom and phone calls. The coaches - Coach Blutreich, Hatchett and Ellis - really did a great job."
Bender, a thrower, competed at Liberty High School where she dominated the competition. Her 51.36m mark in the discus and 12.40m mark in the shot put are both the best in California, and her 13.90m toss in the weight throw ranks second. Bender was the 2020 California Winter Indoor shot put champion too.
"I think Faith is going to be one of the best discus throwers in the Pac-12. She's going to be able to help us in all three events eventually," Miller said.
James is one of the best athletes in this year's signing class, and has already cemented himself as one of the best jumpers in his age group. Out of Perth Track and Field Club, James was the 2019 U-18 world triple jump No.1, he's the U-18 Australian triple jump national record holder (52'), and he's put up impressive long jump (24'9") and high jump (6'8") numbers.
"It's very refreshing to get a 52+ foot triple jumper coming out of high school, as well as an almost 25-footer in the long jump. So the sky's the limit for Dylan. He's very talented," Miller said.
Tatum comes from Sandia High School and will add depth to the Sun Devils' sprinting group. She runs an 11.58 second 100m and 23.83 second 200m. She's twice earned Gatorade New Mexico Track Athlete of the Year honors, earned first team all-district honors, and broke the state 100m record in her sophomore year.
"Anytime you get an opportunity to get a two-time Gatorade Athlete of the Year is a great thing. She's a very talented sprinter and I think she's going to come in and fill a lot of holes for us. We really feel like she's a good catch," Miller said.
"This year's signing class went well," Miller said. "Overall I think the recruiting went well considering all of the adjustments we had to make between having no contact and communicating over Zoom and phone calls. The coaches - Coach Blutreich, Hatchett and Ellis - really did a great job."
Bender, a thrower, competed at Liberty High School where she dominated the competition. Her 51.36m mark in the discus and 12.40m mark in the shot put are both the best in California, and her 13.90m toss in the weight throw ranks second. Bender was the 2020 California Winter Indoor shot put champion too.
"I think Faith is going to be one of the best discus throwers in the Pac-12. She's going to be able to help us in all three events eventually," Miller said.
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James is one of the best athletes in this year's signing class, and has already cemented himself as one of the best jumpers in his age group. Out of Perth Track and Field Club, James was the 2019 U-18 world triple jump No.1, he's the U-18 Australian triple jump national record holder (52'), and he's put up impressive long jump (24'9") and high jump (6'8") numbers.
"It's very refreshing to get a 52+ foot triple jumper coming out of high school, as well as an almost 25-footer in the long jump. So the sky's the limit for Dylan. He's very talented," Miller said.
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Tatum comes from Sandia High School and will add depth to the Sun Devils' sprinting group. She runs an 11.58 second 100m and 23.83 second 200m. She's twice earned Gatorade New Mexico Track Athlete of the Year honors, earned first team all-district honors, and broke the state 100m record in her sophomore year.
"Anytime you get an opportunity to get a two-time Gatorade Athlete of the Year is a great thing. She's a very talented sprinter and I think she's going to come in and fill a lot of holes for us. We really feel like she's a good catch," Miller said.
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