South Florida Recruiting Is Heating Up

Hey everyone, it's Denise and I'm back! You know what that means, track season is right around the corner. The first official practice dates are January 7th and January 14th for all the classes. In this moment in time everyone is wondering where all the seniors are going to start the next stage of their careers. South Florida is one of the main recruiting powerhouses in the nation when it comes to track and field. 

 

Some of the top track and field athletes in the nation are going to officially sign in February to the school of their choice. Athletes like Kendal Ellis, Deja Parish, Deron And Daeshon Gordon as well as Jabari Hill have gotten offers from some of the most respected track programs in the country. You shouldn't be only looking for those seniors to sign as Dominique Bullock (Miami Killian), Krysten Golden (STA), Brandon Bejarano (Westminster) and Lamark Campbell (Fort Lauderdale) will be signing to some respective schools as well. 

 

I got a chance to talk to majority of these athletes when it came to how their visits went and what they will miss about high school the most. I asked all the athletes how there visits went, and most of them who went on visits responded that it was a very fun experience. They enjoyed how they felt apart of the team, and the environment that they were in. As well as the experience of meeting new athletes from all over the country. Here's how they all responded to the rest of my questions:

 

First up we have Kendall Ellis. The same day I interviewed the STA senior for this article, she verbally committed the USC. So when we spoke we really talked about USC and leaving behind high school athletics. 

 

What made USC stand out to you? 
 

The strong 400 meter base they have in their coaching staff, you know Olympian DeeDee Trotter her coach, Coach Caryl and Quincy Watts another Olympian. Besides that, I truly felt apart of the team and family even just on my visit. I like their involvement in the community because I always think if you were blessed with something you ought to give back. It's just a different kind of school with the best of athletics and academics. 

 

What are you looking forward to most now  that you are becoming a Trojan? 
 

I think I'm just looking forward to the experience itself. Getting to be among Olympians, a family style team, and the next level competition. I'm just excited. 

 

Do you think high school has prepped you well for your college career ahead? 
 

Definitely. I know I come from a strong program with a strong coach so I have no worries going into college. I think Coach Armenteros has done a great job of preparing me .

 

When you go from high school to college track what do you want people to remember you as? 
 

I would never want to be remembered as a cocky or mean athlete. I hope I've done my job in my four years of high school as never coming off as a cocky or mean athlete. I'd want people to remember me just as me Kendall. Not the "star" athlete just me, having fun doing my thing on the track. 

Read Kendall's interview with Todd Grasley

 

Next, Krysten Golden another STA senior who has overcome adversity and is a big part of the STA sprints.

 

What are your top three schools?
 

UCF, UM and Boston University.

 

How did your visits go? 
 

My visits felt welcoming and I actually felt at home with the athletes.

 

What will you miss most about high school track?

The true friends I have grown to know over the last four years.

 

What are your goals for 2014? 
 

In the 100- 11.4 and lower, 200- 23 low. Inaddition to that as a student-athlete I want to try and maintain my 4.25 GPA or even improve it.

 

Off of what me and Krysten talked about I predict that she will go to UCF, not only because she liked it when she went on the visit. UCF has a really good sprint program, that would fit Krysten perfectly. 

Under The Radar Athletes: Krysten Golden

 

In addition to some of the lady South Florida recruits we have Lamark Campbell. He is a Fort Lauderdale high senior, who has been making his way up the sprinting charts showing he is one to reckoned with. He showed his versatility this summer when running the 400m at the ESPN Club Championship meet and making to the finals with a time of 48.7. 

 

What schools have shown interest in you? 
 

Right now USD, Queens University and Graceland University have shown the most interest.

 

What are your goals for 2014?
 

My goals for this season are to set records and claim the tittle as the fastest sprinter in the country. 

 

Are you looking forward to any meets?
 

I'll be going to Florida relays this season and I'll also be going to Jimmy Carnes. 

Under The Radar Athletes: Lamark Cambell 

 

 

Finally we have Dominique Bullock, senior at Miami Killian. Coming into this year she has some major expectations of her as she is the AAU National Champion in the Young Women's long jump. 

 

What are your top three schools?
 

UCF, UM, and Texas A&M. 

 

How did your visits go? 
 

I've only been on one visit to UCF this past weekend. It was amazing the facility is nicely set up, the girls on the track team were friendly and very family oriented. 

 

What are you going to miss about high school track?
 

My younger teammates and watching the freshmen grow and develop over the years and get to the point where I'm at now with my track career. 

 

What are your goals for 2014?

 

To remain healthy, get stronger and set PR's as well as becoming state champion in the long jump, my favorite event. 

 

What are looking forward too most when it comes to college track? 
 

Just to grow as an athlete set new goals for myself as well as meet those goals that I set. 
 

 

Many athletes have already made their decision as to where they will be attending college. Deja Parish, which I predicted to sign to UCLA says that she will become a Clemson Tiger next fall. Daeshon Gordon, only a few weeks ago send she will attend the LSU powerhouse. As for Daeshon's brother, Dern oGordon I still have not heard anything, but odds are these twins will split up for the next foyr years. Jabari Hill, a top state contender in the hurdles and 400m has signed to UF. Knowing most of the seniors, I can truly say that these universities have gained some respected athletes. Come next track season their names should be heard again, as they all should be freshman phenoms in their respected events in NCAA track and field. Congratulation to all who've signed, and to those who are going to in February!