Completed Event: Track & Field at Colonel Bev Read Opener on December 6, 2025 , , Completed
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James Madison
at Colonel Bev Read Opener
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James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Track & Field Adds A Dozen For 2019-20
7/9/2019 8:59:00 AM | Track & Field
HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison track & field head coach Ron McCown has announced the signees for the 2019-20 roster. The 12 signees include Erin Babashak, Paris Beaver, Bethany Biggi, Isabella Bogdan, Jenae Bowers, Arianna Eberly, Dardlie Lefevre, Tee Lewis, Rachel Lloyd, Porsha Miles, Hallie Reese, Shelby Staib.
Cross country recently announced eight to the roster for 2019 that will also take part during the track and field seasons. The cross country additions are at the bottom of the release.
"The future of JMU Track and Field and Cross Country is exciting," said Coach McCown. "This signing class is a very talented class that we expect to have an immediate impact. These young ladies are exceptional athletes with exceptional personalities and we are so pleased to have them join us this Fall. In this large group, we have many state qualifiers and state champions, and we cover a wide variety of event areas. In the distance and mid-distance events, Coach Rinker and Kevin have brought in a great group of talented runners. Their signees alongside this group of sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers and throwers will help make us the well-rounded team we are striving to become. I believe this class, combined with the exceptional talent we have returning, will allow us to achieve great success! Go Dukes!"
Erin Babashak
Heptathlon/Jumps | 5-9 | Midlothian, Va. | Midlothian
Babashak began her track and field career strong being the State 4x400m Champion for both indoor and outdoor her freshman year. She has earned All-State honors four times for the triple jump and long jump. Babashak has earned All-State honors in the 100m hurdles (three times), high jump (three times), 4x400m relay (twice) and once in the 55m hurdles, 300m hurdles, 4x100m relay and 4x200m relay. Over her four years at Midlothian, she has received All-Region honors in the long jump (four times), triple jump (four times), high jump (four times), 100m hurdles (three times), 300m hurdles (twice), 4x400m relay (twice) and once in the 55m hurdles and 4x200m relay. Her All-Conference honors helped her to be a team MVP five times throughout the indoor and outdoor seasons. After winning the 300m hurdles at conference her freshman year, Babashak went on to be the indoor and outdoor Field Event Athlete of the Year during her sophomore season. In her senior campaign, she was both the indoor and outdoor Region Female Field Event Athlete of the Year. Babashak was an Emerging Elite triple jump national qualifier her senior year. She earned the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor. Babashak was an honor roll member and plans to major in nursing.
📝SIGNED!
— JMU Track & Field (@JMUTrackField) November 15, 2018
We're so excited to announce Erin Babashak will be joining our freshman class for the 2019-20 season! Welcome to the family, Erin 💜💛#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/UfUIgCArsU
Paris Beaver
Jumps/Multi-event | 5-5 | Rixeyville, Va. | Culpeper County
Beaver was a two-time team captain for the Culpeper County track & field team. This past season, she was the conference, regional and state champion in the high jump. She was an All-Conference and All-Region honoree in the 300m, 4x400m, 4x200m, high jump, long jump, and triple jump. She was All-State in the long jump and triple jump during the indoor season. Beaver became a New Balance National Qualifier during her senior season during both indoor and outdoor. She holds multiple school records for the Blue Devils and was the 3A Indoor Track Team State Runner-up in the high jump her junior year. During the outdoor season her senior year, Beaver was All-Conference and All-Region in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m, high jump, long jump and triple jump. Beaver was the Culpeper Star Exponent Hometown Athlete of the Year for her efforts following her senior season. After being both a conference and regional champion her junior year, Beaver was an All-State athlete and the team's MVP. She qualified for State her sophomore and freshman year after being the conference champion her sophomore year and being an All-Regional athlete and all-conference athlete in both seasons. Beaver competed in cross country her sophomore year and was an All-Conference and All-Regional runner while qualifying for States. Beaver was a national honor society and Spanish national honor society member. She received the Bronze Award of Excellence. She is planning on majoring in integrated science and technology.
Bethany Biggi
Jumps | 5-7 | Lumberton, N.J. | Rancocas
A four-year member of the track and field team, Biggi and Rancocas Valley Regional High School won State this past spring. Biggi went to Nationals during her senior year and jumped 5'5". She won the BCSL All-Star award in the 1600m. Biggi won the Eastern State Championship indoor meet with a high jump personal record of 5 '6 ``. She was a Second Team All-Conference athlete following the indoor season. Biggi placed seventh at States in the high jump her senior year. Her junior year, Biggi won sectionals and received the 'Coaches award'. She received the high jump MVP award given by her coaches following her sophomore season and following the indoor season her senior year. Following her freshman year, she received the team's Rookie of the Year award. Biggi was a multi-sport athlete competing in swimming her freshman and sophomore year and competing on the volleyball team all four years. Biggi was part of the National French Honors Society. She is planning on majoring in integrated science and technology.
📝SIGNED!
— JMU Track & Field (@JMUTrackField) March 18, 2019
We're so excited to announce Bethany Biggi will be joining our freshman class for the 2019-20 season! Welcome to the family, Bethany 💜💛#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/Yr69jYyNAI
Isabella Bogdan
Multi-events | 5-8 | Pittsburgh, Pa. | Keystone Oaks
Bogdan was a multi-sport athlete at Keystone Oaks lettering in soccer, basketball and track all four years. During her senior year, she was the District Champion in the high jump, long jump and 4x100m relay. She won the District titles in the 4x100m relay and high jump during her junior campaign. During her sophomore year, Bogdan was the district champion in the 4x400m relay that represented Keystone Oaks at States. She set a personal best 1.52m mark in the high jump her junior year and maintained that mark throughout her senior year. She was a member of the honor roll. Bogdan took part in the Spanish club, pep club, math club, best friends club and environmental club. She is planning on majoring in accounting and sports management.
Jenae Bowers
Throws | 5-6 | Chesapeake, Va. | Grassfield
Bowers was a shot put and discus thrower at Grassfield high school. She won the VHSL 6A State track and field championship with a personal best throw. As a senior, she then qualified for the New Balance National outdoor and finished 15th in the shot put. At the New Balance National indoor, she got eighth in the shot put. Bowers earned spots on the honor roll and is planning on majoring in early childhood education.
📝SIGNED!
— JMU Track & Field (@JMUTrackField) June 26, 2019
We're so excited to announce Jenae Bowers will be joining our freshman class for the 2019-20 season! Welcome to the family, Jenae 💜💛#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/RmpGKevnQJ
Arianna Eberly
Multi-Event | 5-7 | Downingtown, Pa. | Coatesville
Eberly was the 2018 Daily Local News' Girls Track Athlete of the Year after ending her junior season with the Red Raiders strong. She only competed in the indoor season of her senior year and ran a 24.54 time in the 200 at States. In the Class AAA 4x400m relay, the Raiders took gold after sitting in sixth midway through the race when Eberly was handed the baton to become state champions. She finished fifth in the Class AAA girls' 300m hurdles with a clocking of 44.56, which was a personal record and among the top times in Pennsylvania. She helped set the school record in the 4x400m relay with a time of 46.83, which ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania in 2018 and was rated fourth all-time. Eberly took fifth at states in the 300m hurdles with her personal best time of 43.96, which at the time ranked second-best in Pennsylvania for the event. She was All-State in the 4x100m (2016-17, 2017-18) and 4x200m (2017-18). Eberly was a member of the National Honor Society and is planning on majoring in physical therapy at James Madison.
📝SIGNED!
— JMU Track & Field (@JMUTrackField) November 14, 2018
We're so excited to announce Arianna Eberly will be joining our freshman class for the 2019-20 season! Welcome to the family, Arianna 💜💛#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/SHDhaTZDSV
Dardlie Lefevre
Sprints/Jumps | 5-6 | Frederick, Md. | Tuscarora
Lefevre won three county titles (long jump, 200m, 400m) her senior season. She won the 200m with a 25.55 time and the 400m dash with a 58.04 mark. Following the county title, Lefevre went on to win the MPSSAA 3A State title in the long jump with a distance of 18'3. She claimed the Indoor State title in the 300m with a time of 40.29 during her senior season. She was named to the First Team of the Frederick News-Post five times in her career of both indoor and outdoor. Lefevre was named to the Frederick News-Post Honorable Mention team for both indoor and outdoor her freshman year. During her junior campaign, Lefevre finished fourth in the 400m dash at outdoor State Championship. She anchored the heat winning Penn Relays 4x400m relay. During her sophomore season, she placed at the State Championship in four events (100m, 200m, 4x200m relay, 4x400m relay). She was the State Champion in the 4x200m relay in both indoor and outdoor during her freshman year. Lefevre was a member of the Honor Roll at Tuscarora High School.
Tee Lewis
Sprints | 5-2 | Stafford, Va. | C.D. Hylton
Lewis and the Eagles placed second in the 800m relay in Group 6A and then went on to place sixth in the Emerging Elite Division at New Balance Nationals. Lewis and her relay team won the national title in the Emerging Elite Division in the 1,600 relay. She earned a fourth-place finish at States in the 300m hurdles and won the Conference 4 Championship title in the 55 hurdles during the indoor season. Lewis captured the conference title in the 500m. She was an AAU Junior Olympic Champion in the 400m hurdles running with a time of 1:01.00. She is planning on majoring in criminal justice.
Rachel Lloyd
Pole Vault | 5-5 | Christiansburg, Va. | Christiansburg
Lloyd will be the first JMU pole vaulter since 2011. She was the 3A VA State Champion in the pole vault three times during her career (outdoor 2018, indoor 2019 and outdoor 2019). Lloyd was the Region 3D Champion in the pole vault those three seasons as well. She qualified and competed at the New Balance Nationals in the pole vault. Lloyd had a best pole vault height of 12', which tied the meet record when she won the Class 3 Title her senior year. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and is planning on majoring in communication sciences and disorders.
📝SIGNED!
— JMU Track & Field (@JMUTrackField) March 19, 2019
We're so excited to welcome our first pole vaulter since 2011 as Rachel Lloyd will be joining our freshman class for the 2019-20 season! Welcome to the family, Rachel 💜💛#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/DMoL7pwUVo
Porsha Miles
Sprints | 5-3 | Coatesville, Pa. | Coatesville
Miles finished sixth at indoor states in the 400m running 56.97. She set a personal record 56.16 in the 400m during her senior year. She ran a 12.15 100m dash and 25.02 200m dash. During her junior year, she was the outdoor state champion in the 4x400m relay completing her split in 54.5. Miles was the conference champion in the 100m dash and the 4x400m relay. Miles and her relay crew were the conference outdoor champions in the 4x400m relay during the 2016-17 season. She won the 400m dash at the conference championship her sophomore year. Beginning her track career as a freshman, Miles was both the 100m and 200m conference champion. She has been the DLN Girls Co-Athlete of the Year, while earning First Team All-State honors. Miles was a two-time Suburban Chesmont Penn Relays winner (sophomore and junior year). She is planning on majoring in physical therapy.
📝SIGNED!
— JMU Track & Field (@JMUTrackField) November 17, 2018
We're so excited to announce Porsha Miles will be joining our freshman class for the 2019-20 season! Welcome to the family, Porsha 💜💛#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/ldN84FfoLz
Hallie Reese
Throws | 6-0 | Palmyra, Va. | The Covenant School
Reese was the Indoor State Champion in the shot put her senior year. Following the indoor season, she won the Blue Ridge Conference title in both the shot put and discus. She was then State Runner-up in both the shot put and discus. In her junior year, Reese was the conference champion in the shot put and went on to be runner-up at State. She was the outdoor conference runner-up in both the shot put and discus. At State's, Reese was runner-up in the shot put and finished third in the discus. She began throwing in high school during 10th grade and took fourth at the conference championship in the shot put. She followed that up with a runner-up at State in the shot put. Reese was on Honor Roll for three years and graduated with honors. She has the National Spanish Exam Bronze and Honorable Mention. Reese was planning on majoring in hospitality management.
Shelby Staib
Multi-Event | 5-9 | Allentown, Pa. | Parkland
Staib earned her first varsity letter in track and field her sophomore year when she took top-10 in both the javelin and triple jump. At the East Penn Conference League Championships, Staib took second in both the triple jump and javelin while placing third in the discus her senior year. She went on to win the javelin at the PIAA District XI Championship. Staib was the PIAA State competitor in the javelin. She was the District XI Track and Field Javelin Champion with her 122'3" (34.21m) throw. She took fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 36'8.3". At the District XI Championship her sophomore year, she threw the javelin 111'2" (33.88m) for a sixth-place finish and jumped 35'2"(10.71m) in the triple jump which was good for ninth place. At the East Penn Conference Championship her sophomore season she finished fifth in both the javelin and triple jump. Staib was the Parkland Press Female Athlete of the Year following her junior season. Staib took first in the East Penn Conference League Championship in the javelin which she threw 134'5" (40.97m). She competed in the PIAA State Championship in both the javelin and triple jump. Her triple jump personal best is 37'6" (11.43m). She was a member of the National Honors Society, National History Honors Society and National Math Honors Society. Staib was named to the Principal's list for having a GPA greater than 4.0 for eight consecutive marking periods. She is planning on majoring in engineering.
📝SIGNED!
— JMU Track & Field (@JMUTrackField) November 15, 2018
We're so excited to announce Shelby Staib will be joining our freshman class for the 2019-20 season! Welcome to the family, Shelby 💜💛#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/FO4ceZaswR
Cross Country -- cross country release
"I'm really looking forward to the next four years working with this incoming freshman class," Coach Dave Rinker said. "As a group, they won six state championships, numerous regional and district titles and have dominated the top times in their classifications for seniors. They are great students, athletes and leaders. And while it always takes time with distance runners to make the transition to college training, I am confident that this group will make an immediate impact on our program."
Jessica Cantrell
4-11 | Singer Glen, Va. | Broadway
Cantrell was the WHSV Student-Athlete of the Week for Cross Country this season after her strong senior year. She placed third in the VHSL 3A state cross country meet. In her junior season, she finished sixth at the VHSL 3A state cross country meet. Cantrell picked up All-State honors after the VHSL 3A state cross country meet in 2016-17. When Cantrell started her freshman year for the Gobblers she took Top-20 in the VHSL 3A state cross country meet. She was a two-time All-State honoree in the 1600m (outdoor). Cantrell earned All-State honors in both the 1600m and 1000m in indoor track (2016-17). Cantrell was the state runner-up in the 1600m in both indoor and outdoor track during her junior season, while she was the state runner-up in the 1000m run the indoor season. Cantrell was part of the National Honor Society and has been on the A-Honor Roll. She is planning on majoring in Kinesiology at James Madison.
Annie Dunlop
5-7 | Woodbridge, Va. | Saint John Paul the Great
Dunlop was a four-year member of the cross country and track and field programs at Saint John Paul the Great. Following her rookie campaign, she was the team MVP for cross country and outdoor track and field. Dunlop currently holds the 1000m and 1600m school records. She won the 3200m VISAA Outdoor State title during her senior year. Dunlop was a two-time 1600m VISAA Runner-up, finishing second her junior and senior season. She placed third in the 1000m at the VISAA her senior year. Dunlop was part of the VISAA 4x800m relay team that won the indoor title her sophomore year. She has been an MVP at the Va. Catholic States and has been named to the honor roll. Dunlop is planning on majoring in hospitality management at James Madison.
Maddy Hesler
5-10 | Schenectady, N.Y. | Niskayuna
Hesler was a multi-sport athlete at Niskayuna high school playing soccer and competing in track & field. She competed at the New Balance Outdoor National twice while taking part in the New Balance Indoor Nationals once. She was a Suburban Council All-Star. At the 2018 Nike Cross Country Regional Championship, Hesler placed 66th and was the third fastest finisher from Niskayuna. Finished second at the 2018 New Balance Nationals Outdoor in the 4xmile relay. Hesler made it to the podium at states during the indoor season. She competed in the 3000m, 1500m, 800m and 2000m steeplechase during her four years at Niskayuna. Part of the National Honor Society. She played club soccer for the Albany Alleycats from 2011-18. She is planning on majoring in biology (pre-physician assistant, history) at James Madison.
Sophie Hudak
5-3 | Round Hill, Va. | Woodgrove
Hudak competed on the cross country, track and field and swimming and diving teams at Woodgrove high school. She was the District Champion in cross country her junior year and was then runner-up her senior year. She earned All-Region and All-Loudoun cross country honors three years and was a two-time All-State cross country runner. Hudak competed in indoor track and field during her senior year and was an All-State and All-Region honoree in the 1600m. She qualified for States in the 3200m during both her junior and senior seasons and earned All-Region honors her senior season. Hudak was the Region and District runner-up in the 3200m in her junior campaign. She earned All-District honors her sophomore year in the 4x800m and her freshman year in the 1600m. Hudak was the team MVP for cross country and outdoor track and field six times over her four years. Hudak earned Honor Roll honors during her four years at Woodgrove. She is planning on majoring in marketing at James Madison.
Megan Keady
5-5 | Vienna, Va. | James Madison HS
Keady was a cross country and track & field member all four years at James Madison high school. She earned First Team All-District and Second Team All-Region and All-State following her senior year in cross country. Keady earned All-State honors during the indoor season and All-District honors in her outdoor season following her senior campaign. As a junior, she was a Second Team All-District selection for cross country. Keady was a member of the Rho Kappa Honor Society and was named to the athletic honor roll. She is planning on majoring in psychology.
Clare Morelli
5-8 | Marlton, N.J. | Bishop Eustace Prep
Morelli was a member of the cross country and track & field programs at Bishop Eustace Prep. She was a four-time First Team All-Conference member in cross country. Morelli was placed on the All-South Jersey Team for cross country her senior year. She was a 4xmile New Balance National Qualifier. Morelli was part of the 4x800m relay team that was NJSIAA State Champions. She was a member of the National Honors Society. She is planning on majoring in accounting.
McKenzi Watkins
5-2 | Stafford, Va. | Colonial Forge
Watkins earned varsity letters in cross country and track & field for two years at Colonial Forge High School. She was the Cross Country District and Regional Champions this season along with earning the VHSL 6A Cross Country State Champion title. Her team was a two-time District and Regional championship. She ran a season-best 18:10 in the 5K during the season to become the Free Lance-State All-Area Cross Country Runner of the Year. During the indoor track and field season, she holds the Regional Champion title in the 1600m. Watkins finished third in the 3200m at states in the indoor season to be a Free Lance-Star All-Area athlete. In her junior year, she was the District and Regional runner-up in cross country. She was a Free Lance-State All-Area athlete in cross country following her junior campaign. Watkins finished third at states at both the indoor and outdoor 3200m. She then went on to be both the District and Regional Champion in both the 1600m and 3200m. Watkins is planning to major in dietetics at James Madison.
Laura Webb
5-5 | Woodbridge, Va. | Woodbridge
Webb has two Cross Country District Championships with the Vikings. She finished seventh at the 6A All-State meet this past season. The Vikings are two-time regional runners-up. She placed fifth at the 6A All-State meet her junior year. Webb earned an All-Region in cross country her sophomore year following her 12th place finish. She was the 1600m District Champion during both the indoor and outdoor track season her junior year, while being the District Champion in the 3200m and 800m during outdoor. She was the regional runner-up in the 3200m (outdoor). Webb was All-Region after finishing third in the 1600m (outdoor) and was All-State after her 7th place finish at the 6A All-State meet. She was the conference champion in the 1600m (outdoor) following her runner-up finish in the same event during the indoor season. She finished third and fifth in the 1600m for All-Region honors in both the indoor and outdoor seasons her sophomore year, respectively. Webb is the president of the Math Honor Society while being a member of the National Honor Society, Honor Roll and Viking Learning Center. She is planning on majoring in nursing at JMU.
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