BOONE, N.C. - App State director of track & field/cross country
Damion McLean announced the addition of five student-athletes who will round out the Mountaineers' 2025-26 signing class on Wednesday. The newcomers complete an incoming class of 27 Mountaineers for the upcoming season, which totals 16 distance athletes, three jumpers and eight sprinters.
Damyja Alexandro-Ortiz | Sprints | Winston-Salem, N.C. | Winston Salem Preparatory Academy | Lenoir-Rhyne
After three seasons at App State neighbor Lenoir-Rhyne, Damyja Alexandro-Ortiz will join the Mountaineers' sprints squad for her senior season. The Winston-Salem, N.C., native helped the 4x100-meter relay team to a seventh-place finish at the 2025 NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She was also part of the 4x400-meter relay team at Lenoir-Rhyne and competed individually in the 200 meters and 400 meters at the NCAA DII championship meet. At the 2025 South Atlantic Conference Championships, Alexandro-Ortiz garnered gold in the 400 meters (53.31, PR), the 4x100-meter relay (44.73) and 4x400-meter relay (3:44.54). She also secured silver in the 200 meters after clocking a personal best time of 23.67 in the prelims. Additionally, Alexandro-Ortiz is a two-time SAC Indoor 4x400-meter relay champion.
While at App State, Alexandro-Ortiz plans on majoring in professional studies.
Why Alexandro-Ortiz Chose App State: "I chose App State for the great track and field program."
Micayla Collins | Sprints | Seneca, S.C. | Seneca HS | Virginia Tech
Collins joins the ranks of the Mountaineers' sprinters after spending her freshman season at Virginia Tech last year. The Seneca, S.C., native helped the Virginia Tech 4x400-meter relay team to a time of 3:37.95 and an eighth-place finish at the 2025 ACC Indoor Championships. Additionally, the finish in the indoor 4x400-meter relay ranked fifth all-time at Virginia Tech. Her indoor season was highlighted by a trio of personal bests in the 200 meters (24.59), 300 meters (39.29) and 400 meters (55.16). Collins stopped the clock at 11.96 for a personal best and top-10 finish in the 100 meters at the Bob Davidson Team Challenge, hosted by High Point (March 21-22). She also helped the 4x100-meter relay team to a first-place finish (45.43) and the 4x400-meter relay team to a second-place finish (3:43.40) at the Wake Forest Invitational.
While at App State, Collins plans on studying early childhood education. In her free time she enjoys playing pickleball with her family, as well as painting, crafting and cooking.
Why Collins Chose App State: "I chose App State because I wanted a great environment that I would be able to thrive in."
Amiyah Priebe | Distance | Newport, Pa. | Newport HS | Dickinson
Amiyah Priebe will join the Mountaineers' cross country squad this fall as a graduate student after four seasons at Dickinson. While at Dickinson, the Newport, Pa., native made an appearance at the 2022 NCAA DIII Mid-Atlantic Region Championships and the 2023 NCAA DIII Pre-Nationals, placing among the top-45 at both meets. She boasts a 5K personal best of 18:47.8 and a 6K personal best of 22:42.7. On the track, she was a two-time Centennial Conference 3,000-meter steeplechase champion as well as an indoor 4x800-meter relay champion.
While at App State, Priebe plans on studying biology. She enjoys traveling, hiking and snowboarding.
Why Priebe Chose App State: "I chose App State because of the success of the running program and how supportive the team environment and coaching staff are. I'm also excited about the aquatic research I'll get to do under my mentor. As a bonus, Boone is a beautiful place to live and train. There's so much to explore."
Dezmone Starks | Sprints | Washington, D.C. | Archbishop Carroll HS | Indiana
Dezomone Starks joins the Black and Gold after competing at Indiana for the 2024-25 season. Entering his sophomore season, Starks will join App State's sprinters. The Washington, D.C. native raced in eight meets for the Hoosiers last season. At the Billy Hayes Invitational, Starks clocked a pair of personal bests and top-10 finishes in the 100 meters and 200 meters with times of 10.80 and 21.52, respectively. During the indoor season, he clocked a personal best of 6.95 in the 60 meters at the Commodore Challenge (Jan. 11).
Starks plans on studying sports broadcasting while in the High Country.
Why Starks Chose App State: "I chose App State because it's a place where I see myself growing in different ways."
Derek Waite | Distance | Spring, Texas | Klein Oak HS | Houston
After two seasons at Houston,
Derek Waite will join the Mountaineers' distance squad. In Waite's debut in the red and white in 2023, he recorded a 6K personal best of 18:15.5 and placed 10th at the Lamar Early Bird Opener. Waite also clocked a 10K personal best of 33:47.1 at the 2023 NCAA South Central Regional. On the track, the Spring, Texas, native helped the 4x400-meter relay team to a fifth-place finish with a time of 3:22.86 and individually recorded a personal best of 1:54.30 in the 800 meters.
Waite plans on studying economics while at App State. He enjoys soccer, football and hanging out with friends.
Why Waite Chose App State: "I chose App State because it's a great team with great training and opportunities to grow and be successful."
Fall & Spring 2025-26 Additions | Previously announced on Nov. 13, 2024 and June 17, 2025
Thomas Ashley | Distance | Boynton Beach, Fla. | Dreyfoos HS | Lynn University, South Florida
Logan Bentley | Sprints | Matthews, N.C. | Weddington HS
Tatiana Blake | Sprints | Waxhaw, N.C. | Cuthbertson HS
Alana Braxton | Jumps | Summerville, S.C. | Ashley Ridge HS
Thomas Essic | Distance | Advance, N.C. | Davie County HS
Eric Heal | Hurdles | Mooresville, N.C. | Mooresville HS
Josie Jackson | Distance | Abington, Va. | Abingdon HS
Allie Kinlaw | Distance | Greensboro, N.C. | Walter Hines Page HS
Aidan Kneeland | Distance | Milton, WVa. | Cabell Midland HS
Kelly MacBride | Jumps | Morrisville, N.C. | Panther Creek HS
Tessa Massa | Distance | Jacksonville, Fla. | Bishop Kenny HS
Julia Mayer | Distance | Waxhaw, N.C. | Marvin Ridge HS
Elizabeth McCart | Distance | Eugene, Ore. | South Eugene HS
Caleb Milton | Hurdles | Whispering Pines, N.C. | Union Pines HS
Aidan Morrow | Distance | Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. | Hasbrouck Heights HS
Brenden Robbins | Sprints | Waxhaw, N.C. | Cuthbertson HS
Tate Shore | Distance | Tobaccoville, N.C. | Reagan HS
Lika Strydom | Distance | Johannesburg, South Africa | Helpmekaar Kollege
Ashby Williams | Distance | Central, S.C. | D.W. Daniel HS
Ashlynn Wimberly | Jumps | Charlotte, N.C. | Mallard Creek HS
Bryant Young | Distance | Gainesville, Ga. | North Hall HS
Grant Young | Distance | Easley, S.C. | Wren HS
