Track & Field/Cross Country Adds 16 to 2025-26 Signing Class

BOONE, N.C. - App State director of track & field/cross country Damion McLean announced the addition of 16 student-athletes to the 2025-26 signing class on Tuesday. The new additions will join the fall signing period's seven signees.
 
The Mountaineers' signing class has grown to 14 distance athletes, three jumpers, and six sprinters. 
 
"I'm thrilled about our new cross country/track & field signees," McLean said. "I'm ready to see them push limits, chase greatness and make history on the track. Exciting times are ahead for this program. This is by far the best recruiting class in App State history." 
 
Thomas Ashley | Distance | Boynton Beach, Fla. | Dreyfoos HS | Lynn University, South Florida
Boynton Beach, Fla., native Thomas Ashley is set to compete at App State after making stops at Lynn University and South Florida. While in Tampa, Ashley recorded a personal best of 15:03.52 in the 5,000 meters, placing second on the track at the 2024 South Florida Invitational. He also stopped the clock at 4:03.10 in the 1,500 meters at the 2024 USF Bulls Alumni Invitational. On the cross country course, he clocked an 8K personal best of 25:22.6 at the 2023 AAC Cross Country Championships. For the 2022 cross country season and 2023 track season, Ashley competed at Lynn University. In high school, Ashley competed on the cross country, track and soccer teams.
 
While in Boone, Ashley plans on studying business management. He enjoys fishing skim boarding, hiking and running. His brother, Ryan, plays collegiate baseball.
 
Why Ashley Chose App State: "I chose App State for the culture and the atmosphere."
 
Logan Bentley | Sprints | Matthews, N.C. | Weddington HS 
Logan Bentley is set to join the Black and Gold's sprints squad. Over the course of his high school career, the Matthews, N.C., native was a state champion and has finished fourth at the state meet. He competed in the New Balance Nationals meet and was a three-time all-conference honoree. 
 
Bentley plans on studying kinesiology and exercise science while in Boone.
 
Why Bentley Chose App State: "I chose App State because it feels like home."
 
Tatiana Blake | Sprints | Waxhaw, N.C. | Cuthbertson HS 
Tatiana Blake will join the Mountaineers' sprints squad. She holds the Cuthbertson school records in the 300 meters, 300-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, 4x100-meter relay, 4x200-meter relay, indoor 4x400-meter relay and sprint medley relay. Blake was a three-time Charlotte Hurdler of the Year selection and earned several team awards, including a trio of MVP accolades, most improved and Heart of a Lion honors. She also competed on the Roe Pro and Track Masterz club teams under the direction of Matthew Russell and Tim Walls, respectively. She was a top finisher at the Body Armor State Games and qualified for the junior Olympics. 
 
Blake plans on studying criminal justice while at App State. She has three siblings, one of which ran track at Kentucky. She enjoys cooking, drawing, spending time with family and friends, photography, travel and nature. She has also written award-winning and published poems.
 
Why Blake Chose App State: "I chose App State because of the coaches, the track team and the society. The environment felt like home."
 
Thomas Essic | Distance | Advance, N.C. | Davie County HS 
Distance competitor Thomas Essic will don the Black and Gold this fall. He was a three-time all-conference cross country honoree and individual state qualifier. Essic collected all-conference honors for his performance in the 3,200 meters. He was an Adidas Indoor Nationals qualifier in the 1,600 meters and was a regional qualifier in the 4x800-meter relay, 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters. 
 
Essic plans on studying finance and banking while in the High Country. He enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies, listening to music, hiking and playing basketball. He can also solve a Rubik's Cube in under a minute.
 
Why Essic Chose App State: "I chose App State because Coach Herbster, the team, and the campus were all awesome. It's also very close to home."
 
Eric Heal | Hurdles | Mooresville, N.C. | Mooresville HS 
Hailing from Mooresville, N.C., hurdler Eric Heal is set to compete for the Mountaineers. Heal was a two-time all-state honoree as well as a two-time county and conference MPV selection. Over the course of his career, Heal collected five all-conference honors - thrice in the 300-meter hurdles and twice in the 110-meter hurdles. 
 
While in Boone, Heal plans on studying finance and banking. He enjoys hanging out with friends as well as playing pickleball and video games. 
 
Why Heal Chose App State: "When I came for a visit, I loved the campus and environment. I got to see some of my future teammates and talk to one as well. I knew that this was the team I wanted to be a part of because I could see how determined everyone was to be better."
 
Aidan Kneeland | Distance | Milton, WVa. | Cabell Midland HS 
Aidan Kneeland joins the Mountaineers' distance crew from Milton, W. Va. Between cross country and track, he has collected 10 all-state selections. He helped his team to a track & field state championship title and was the state runner-up on the cross country course. 
 
Kneeland intends on studying cybersecurity while in the High Country. He enjoys playing golf, basketball and fishing. He also played soccer for 11 years. 
 
Why Kneeland Chose App State: "I chose App State because of the campus, coaches and team chemistry."
 
Tessa Massa | Distance | Jacksonville, Fla. | Bishop Kenny HS 
Hailing from Jacksonville, Fla., is distance runner Tessa Massa. Massa holds the Bishop Kenny school record in the 3,200 meters and is the 2025 FHSAA 2A Regional 1,600-meter champion. She helped her team to back-to-back FHSAA 2A State Championship titles in 2023 and 2024 and is a two-time first-team All-First Coast Girls Cross Country honoree. Additionally, Massa was a First Team All-News4Jax Girls Cross Country selection in 2024. 
 
Massa plans on studying criminal justice at App State. In addition to track, she played competitive soccer for 12 years and helped her high school team to a FHSAA 6A State title in 2022 and a 4A Region Champion title in 2024.  
 
Elizabeth McCart | Distance | Eugene, Ore. | South Eugene HS 
Hailing from TrackTown USA, Eugene, Ore., native Elizabeth McCart will compete on the Mountaineers' distance squad. McCart is an eight-time letterwinner, two-time 1,500-meter district champion, and the 2024 cross country district champion. She also helped her team to a fourth-place finish at the 2022 state cross country meet. 
 
McCart plans on studying economics while in the High Country. She enjoys music, reading and outdoor activities. 
 
Why McCart Chose App State: "I chose App State because of the welcoming team environment, well-respected academics and beautiful campus."
 
Caleb Milton | Hurdles | Whispering Pines, N.C. | Union Pines HS 
Hurdler Caleb Milton will don the Black and Gold after a decorated high school career in Whispering Pines, N.C. Over the course of his time at Union Pines, Milton collected 11 all-conference honors, seven all-state nods and six all-region honors. He is a four-time conference champion and three-time regional champion. In 2025, he earned AAU All-American and Adidas All-American accolades. In addition to track, Milton was an all-conference defensive back on the football team. He also played in the 2025 East-West All-Star game.
 
While in Boone, Milton plans on studying media and broadcasting. He enjoys video games, shopping for clothes and used to play the saxophone. 
 
Why Milton Chose App State: "I chose App State for the culture and the atmosphere."
 
Aidan Morrow | Distance | Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. | Hasbrouck Heights HS 
Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., native Aidan Morrow will join App State's distance squad. Between cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, he has collected eight first team all-league honors. He is also a four-time First Team All-Bergen County and two-time First Team All-North Jersey selection. Morrow was a state Group 1 cross country champion and earned third team all-state cross country accolades. He also competed on a club team under the direction of Mike Ryan.
 
Morrow plans on studying finance and marketing at App State. His brother, Evan, competes on the Rutgers cross country and track & field team. Morrow enjoys fishing, basketball, baseball and the arts.
 
Why Morrow Chose App State: "I chose App State for the great coaching staff, team atmosphere, the amazing facilities and beautiful locations to train along with the spirited campus and quality education."
 
Brenden Robbins | Sprints | Waxhaw, N.C. | Cuthbertson HS 
Brenden Robbins hails from Waxhaw, N.C., and will join the Mountaineers as a sprinter. He is an All-American and state record holder. Robbins is also an all-state and all-conference selection.

While in Boone, Brenden intends on studying applied physics. He enjoys hanging out with family and friends and going fishing. 
 
Why Robbins Chose App State: "I chose App State for the location and sports."
 
Tate Shore | Distance | Tobaccoville, N.C. | Reagan HS 
Joining the Mountaineers' distance squad is Tate Shore. Shore led a decorated career at Reagan High School, where he was a four-time 4A All-Conference selection in cross country, and a two-time 4A All-State honoree in both cross country and track. He was the 2024 Regional and Conference cross country champion and collected conference Runner of the Year honors. In 2025, he was the conference and regional 1,600-meter champion, and was named the conference's indoor and outdoor Track Runner of the Year. Additionally, Shore holds the Reagan High School men's 5K record. 
 
Shore, whose mother is an App State alum, plans on studying construction management while at App State. He enjoys playing golf, fishing, being outdoors and playing guitar. 
 
Why Shore Chose App State: "I chose App State because I love the mountains and I feel that there is really something special within the men's distance team that I am excited to be a part of."
 
Lika Strydom | Distance | Johannesburg, South Africa | Helpmekaar Kollege
Hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa, Lika Strydom will join the Mountaineers in 2025. She finished second in the 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters at the national championships, as well as third in the 3,000 meters. She also competed on the Central Gauteng Athletic club team under the direction of Riaan Strydom. 
 
Strydom plans on studying computer information systems while in the High Country. She enjoys reading, cooking and baking.
 
Why Strydom Chose App State: "I chose App State to be part of a supportive and competitive team, the excellent academic program and to be part of the beautiful environment."
 
Ashby Williams | Distance | Central, S.C. | D.W. Daniel HS 
Central, S.C., native Ashby Williams is set to join the Mountaineers' distance crew after a decorated high school career. Williams is a seven-time region and county champion on the track and six-time all-state cross country selection. She also collected five all-state track accolades and was a four-time cross country region champion. Additionally, she was a two-time SCHSL 3,200-meter state champion and cross country state champion. Williams holds the Pickens County Cross Country Championships record. 

While at App State, Williams plans on majoring in biology. She enjoys reading, listening to music, decorating and playing drums. 
 
Why Williams Chose App State: "App State's tight-knit community paired with its exceptional honors college and beautiful campus made it the perfect place for me."
 
Ashlynn Wimberly | Jumps | Charlotte, N.C. | Mallard Creek HS 
Joining the Mountaineers' jumps crew is Charlotte, N.C., native Ashlynn Wimberly. Wimberly was named the 2025 Female Athlete of the Year and is a three-time state champion. She is also a seven-time school record holder. She also competed on a club team under the direction of John Tillman and Londell McClary.
 
Wimberly plans on pursuing a degree in physics. She can play guitar and piano, enjoys drawing portraits and designing clothes, as well as building Legos and cars.
 
Why Wimberly Chose App State: "App State is a place where I see myself. It is a good school both academically and athletically. The campus location is very beautiful. The staff is also very friendly and easy to work with."
 
Bryant Young | Distance | Gainesville, Ga. | North Hall HS 
Young joins the Mountaineers' distance squad from Gainesville, Ga. Young was named the Gainesville Times Athlete of the Year and holds two North Hall school records. He also was a 2025 state champion in the 1,600 meters, 800 meters and 3,200 meters. 
 
While at App State, Young plans on studying finance. He enjoys skiing and wake surfing. 
 
Why Young Chose App State: "I chose App State because of the coaches and the campus."
 
Fall & Spring 2025-26 Additions | Previously announced on Nov. 13, 2024
Alana Braxton | Jumps | Summerville, S.C. | Ashley Ridge HS 
Josie Jackson | Distance | Abington, Va. | Abingdon HS
Allie Kinlaw | Distance | Greensboro, N.C. | Walter Hines Page HS
Kelly MacBride | Jumps | Morrisville, N.C. | Panther Creek HS
Julia Mayer | Distance | Waxhaw, N.C. | Marvin Ridge HS
Ray Lee | Sprints | Flint, Mich. | Davison (Coffeyville CC) 
Grant Young | Distance | Easley, S.C. | Wren HS