Aug. 3, 2005

Winston-Salem, NC - Winston-Salem State University interim head track and field/cross-country coach Benny Morgan announced on Wednesday afternoon that he has signed 13 team members to the track and field and cross-country rosters via the signing of NCAA National Letters of Intent to attend WSSU.

Morgan, who has been at the head of the WSSU men's and women's cross country and track and field programs since July 1st, 2005 has made great strides in adding talent to the WSSU cross-country rosters while at the same time preparing the fledgling WSSU track and field program for its first season of CIAA competition in over five years.

Added to the men's rosters are Ricardo Fuentes, a distance runner from Winston-Salem, NC (Parkland High School), Jordan Holley a hurdler from Raleigh, NC (Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School), Emmanuel Ross, a thrower from Clayton, NC (Garner Senior High School), Gerrod Sidbury a middle-distance runner from Wilmington, NC (Laney High School), Travis Smith, a middle-distance runner from Winston-Salem, NC (Parkland High School), Greg Watts, a middle-distance runner from Kernersville, NC (East Forsyth High School), Cory Wright, a distance runner from Kernersville, NC (Glenn High School), and Ezra Yowell, a hurdler/jumper from Henderson, NC (Northern Vance High School).

All eight signees will compete for both the cross-country and track and field teams at WSSU, and will make a significant improvement in the Rams' chances for CIAA cross-country and track and field titles in 2005.

Emmanuel Ross placed third in the NCPHSAA State meet in the shot put in addition to winning the indoor NCPHSAA State indoor shot put title as a junior. Greg Watts, a local product, is an 800 meter runner who is looking to make significant improvements in a college system. Ricardo Fuentes from Parkland High School is a local cross-country and soccer star that will immediately help develop the Rams' distance program.

On the women's side of things, Morgan has signed five to NCAA National Letters of Intent, with all five young women looking to make an immediate impact on the WSSU cross-country and track and field programs.

Added to the women's rosters are Wykeita Barnett, a sprinter from Eden, NC (Morehead High School), Heather Edwards, a thrower from Laurinburg, NC (Scotland High School), Tomita Ferguson a middle-distance runner from Raleigh, NC (Enloe High School), Rhondalynn Hamilton, a jumper/sprinter from Decatur, GA (Chamblee High School), and Vernae McDonald, a middle distance runner from Charlotte, NC (Butler High School).

Wykeita Barnett is perhaps the Lady Rams' top recruit thus far in 2005 as she was the 3A NCPHSAA State runner-up in the 100 meters. Rhondalynn Hamilton is another top recruit for the Lady Rams as she was the Georgia Public High School Athletic Association's 3A State long jump runner up. Hamilton is also a very good sprinter who has the potential to be a CIAA Champion according to Morgan.

Speaking on his recruiting class, Benny Morgan said, "I am very pleased with the young men and women that we have been able to add to these teams thus far. Though our recruiting efforts are far from over, we feel that these 13 student-athletes will bring to WSSU a positive work ethic and attitude that will help them to excel not only on the track and in the field, but in the classroom as well. These are all good kids, most of them All-State qualifiers. They will have an immediate impact and definitely have the potential to be impact performers in the CIAA."

WSSU Director of Athletics, Dr. Chico Caldwell has been more than pleased with the recruiting efforts of the Rams' new head track and field and cross country coach as he commented by saying, "We are thrilled that Benny has stepped in and immediately made an impact by signing these quality student athletes. As we transition towards NCAA Division I status, the recruiting of quality performers will be at a premium. Benny has hit the ground running and has wasted no time in making sure that the WSSU cross-country and track and field programs continue to grow and excel as the University, and its athletics program, continue to move forward towards national prominence."

All 13 student-athletes will report to WSSU's campus for fall conditioning on August 9th, 2005. They will all be on hand at "Meet the Rams Media Day and Fan Fest" on August 21st, 2005 at 6:00 pm at Bowman-Gray Stadium.

For additional information on the WSSU cross-country and/or track and field teams, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com