BOONE, N.C. - App State director of track & field/cross country
Damion McLean announced the signing of seven athletes to the Mountaineers' 2025-26 signing class on Wednesday. The signing class will include four distance athletes, two jumpers, and a sprinter.
"I'm extremely excited about the future of this program with this early signing period for the class of 2025," said McLean "It shows where this program is headed in the future with great talent."
Alana Braxton | Jumps | Summerville, S.C. | Ashley Ridge HS
Hailing from Summerville, S.C., Alana Braxton will don the Black and Gold as a jumper. She is a two-time triple jump state champion. Braxton ranks ninth in the nation in the triple jump with a personal best of 12.62m (41' 5") and has a personal best of 5.92m (19' 4") in the long jump.
Braxton plans on studying exercise science while at App State.
Why Braxton Chose App State: "I chose App State because I feel like this is the best fit for me and will help me succeed in my future on and off the track."
Josie Jackson | Distance | Abingdon, Va. | Abingdon HS
Josie Jackson will join App State's distance squad next season. The Abingdon, Va. native is a two-time VHSL 3A All-State selection. She was also part of the 2022 cross country and 2023 outdoor VHSL 3A State Champion teams and was the 2023 VHSL 3A State Individual Champion in the 500 meters. Jackson was a six-time indoor track all-state selection and six-time outdoor all-state selection.
Jackson holds the Abingdon school records in the 5K, indoor 500, indoor 4x400-meter relay, indoor 4x800-meter relay, outdoor 800 meters, and outdoor 4x800-meters.
While at App State, Jackson plans on studying business. She enjoys running, snowboarding, doodling, photography, poetry, and attending concerts.
Why Jackson Chose App State: "I chose App State for the mountain magic. App State offers a well-rounded education, strong team camaraderie, and the opportunity to advance as a collegiate runner."
Allie Kinlaw | Distance | Greensboro, N.C. | Walter Hines Page HS
Greensboro, N.C. native Allie Kinlaw joins the Mountaineers as a distance runner. She is the school record holder in the 1,000 meters, 1,600 meters, and 5K. Kinlaw is a three-time Guilford County Cross Country Champion, a three-time 1,600 meter Guilford County Champion, and three-time Metro 4A Conference Cross Country Runner of the Year. She was a 4x3200-meter relay Guilford County Champion, a 2024 Adidas Outdoor Nationals 200-meter steeplechase champion, and 2024 NHSTFXCAA steeplechase All-American. Additionally, Kinlaw is a seven-time 4A State meet qualifier, nine-time Team MVP and was a 2022, 2023, and 2024 cross country team captain.
She also competed on the Greensboro Pacesetters club team directed by Charlie Brown. With the club team, Kinlaw is a five-time club age record holder and the 2K steeplechase record holder.
Kinlaw intends on studying exercise science while at App State. She enjoys reading, swimming, art and playing pickleball. She also played soccer for 10 years.
Why Kinlaw Chose App State: "I chose App State because of the environment. Everyone wants to build each other up, and I feel like App State is a place where I can become the best version of myself both as an athlete and a person."
Ray Lee | Sprints | Flint, Mich. | Davison HS | Coffeyville CC
Flint, Mich. native Ray Lee will join the Mountaineers' sprints squad after a stint at Coffeyville Community College. In his time at Coffeyville, Lee earned NJCAA All-American honors. Lee competed in the 100 meters at the 2023 NJCAA DI Outdoor Championships. He posted a personal best of 10.41 in the 100 meters and a personal best of 21.39 in the 200 meters at the 2023 NJCAA Region VI Championships.
Lee intends on pursuing a degree in computer science while at App State.
Why Lee Chose App State: "I chose App State for the team environment. Everyone that I've met believes in the coaching staff and I found that reassuring."
Kelly MacBride | Jumps | Morrisville, N.C. | Panther Creek HS
Morrisville, N.C. native MacBride will join the Mountaineers' ranks as a jumper. MacBride recorded a personal best jump of 5.74m (18' 10") in the long jump.
MacBride intends on pursuing a degree in geology.
Why MacBride Chose App State: "The track and field program is reflective of the care that Coach McLean puts into the academic and athletic livelihood of his athletes, and that's a program I want to be a part of."
Julia Mayer | Distance | Waxhaw, N.C. | Marvin Ridge HS
Waxhaw, N.C. native Julia Mayer will join the Mountaineers' distance team. Mayer earned all-conference, all-county, and all-region honors in cross country. She was also part of the 4x800-meter relay team that placed at the state meet. She also competed on a club team under the direction of Kaelyn Lockie, Lisa Sluiter, and Andy Sparks. With the club team, Mayer was first at the regional meet and third in the state meet for cross country.
She plans on studying business while at App State. She enjoys hiking and was related to someone who was on the show 'The Bachelor.'
Why Mayer Chose App State: "I chose App State for the beautiful campus and great student life."
Grant Young | Distance | Easley, S.C. | Wren HS
Joining the Mountaineers' distance squad will be Grant Young. The Easley, S.C. native is a two-time cross country all-region honoree as well as a cross country All-State selection. He is a three-time track all-region honoree, six-time track all-state selection, and a track individual state champion. He also helped his team to a cross country state title as well as two track state titles.
Young plans on pursuing a degree in exercise science while at App State. He also has an aunt and uncle who attended App State. He enjoys golf, basketball, and piano.
Why Young Chose App State: "The coach, team, and campus really just like the perfect fit. The school definitely just felt like home."
