Aug. 11, 2006

SAN MARCOS - Texas State head track and field coach Galina Bukharina announced the signing of 29 new members to the Bobcat men's and women's track and field teams for 2006-2007. Seven men and 22 women make up the new track class.

The newcomers include 20 state qualifiers, 11 state medalists, and three state champions. Also included are four Division-I transfer students who will suit up in the maroon and gold.

The incoming class hails almost exclusively from Texas, with two notable exceptions. Gatis Spunde joins the Texas State men's team after transferring from Nebraska but is originally from Riga, Latvia, where he was named both the 2004 Latvian National Champion and 2004 Baltic Champion in the 400m hurdles. Liat Anov joins the Bobcat women from Holon, Israel, where she was the Israeli Junior National Champion in the 400m hurdles.

Below is a list of all 29 newcomers to the track and field squads for the 2006-2007 season along with their hometown, expected events, and some career notes. Transfers have their previous school included in parentheses.

Men:

Jeffrey Dean - Richardson, TX - Sprints/Relays

Javarise Donald - Killeen, TX - Hurdles

Aaron Jones - Frisco, TX - Sprints/Relays

Justin Longoria - Rockport, TX - Sprints/Relays

Daniel Schmidt - Graham, TX - Throws

Gatis Spunde - Riga, Latvia (University of Nebraska) - Hurdles/Relays

Jonathan Williams - Pearland, TX - Jumps

Women:

Liat Anov - Holon, Israel - Hurdles/Jumps

Ashley Austin - San Antonio, TX - Sprints/Jumps

Ellen Baker - Abilene, TX - Throws

Heather Bullin - Cedar Park, TX - Distance

Iris Darrington - San Antonio, TX - Sprints/Relays

Jannah Evans - Cedar Park, TX - Pole Vault

Katherine Evans - San Antonio, TX - Jumps/Multis

Alaysha Ford - Van Vleck, TX - Jumps

Cara Forrest - Trophy Club, TX - Mid-Distance

LeTisha Hackett - Arlington, TX - Sprints/Relays

Valerie Hancock - Copperas Cove, TX - Hurdles/Jumps/Multis

Katy Hanie - Forney, TX - Throws

Rachel Harville - Kingwood, TX - Multis

Crystyne Hatfield - Houston, TX - Hurdles

Taylor Hubbard - The Colony, TX - Hurdles

Jiovanna Martinez - Pharr, TX - Throws

Sonetriya Mayfield - Round Rock, TX - Sprints/Jumps

Chelci Newton - Josephine, TX- Jumps

Abby Ruston - San Antonio, TX (Texas A&M) - Throws

Tabatha Shaw - Austin, TX (New Mexico) - Sprints/Relays (JR-TR)

Jennifer White - Cedar Park, TX - Distance

Shakira Williams - Austin, TX (New Mexico) - Sprints/Relays (JR-TR)

Player Notes:

Men:

Jeffrey Dean