North Florida Track and Field Signs Two
2/4/2010 5:04:34 PM | Men's Track, Women's Track
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida track and field program made big strides during yesterday's National Signing Day with the signing of two North Florida natives Brianna Frazier out of Raines High School and Ryan L'Heureux from Crystal River High School.
“Brianna is the most exciting recruit in our track & field program's young history,” said head track and field coach Mark VanAlstyne who is heading into his 20th season at the helm of the UNF's track and field program. “On the track, her athleticism and big meet experience will make her an instant force in the Atlantic Sun and a serious contender for NCAA's.”
Frazier competed in the 400m, 200m and triple jump events through out her high school career. All three of the
In order to live up to her to her potential record breaking career at UNF, she will have to bypass her mother Le'Titia Silas' time. Silas is currently the assistant track and field coach and still holds the 400m record (54.94) at UNF, setting the mark in 1996 when she wore the navy blue and grey.
While at Raines, Frazier was a 2007, 2008 and 2009 FHSAA State Champion (2A) in the 400m and in the 4x400m relay. She was FHSAA runner-up in the 200m in 2008, as well as in the triple jump and the 400m in 2009.
Frazier was the USA Track & Field 2008 Junior Olympic National Champion (Intermediate Girls) in the 400m and also represented her country at the 2007 Fifth World Youth Championship in
“I view her signing as another milestone in our program, right there with the Division I transition and the completion of Hodges Stadium,” commented VanAlstyne. “If you want to be the best, you have to compete against the best, have the best facilities, and attract the best student-athletes. That's why I'm so thrilled Bri has chosen to attend UNF and follow in her mother's footsteps. It's fitting, after Le'Titia helped UNF achieve success and credibility at the Division II level many years ago, that it'll be Bri striving to establish UNF track and field on the national scene in Division I."
L'Heureux comes to UNF from the west coast of
“Ryan is someone we felt was on the verge of a big breakthrough and that looks to be the case as evidenced by his personal record vault indoors at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational this past weekend," commented VanAlstyne. "He has very good athletic ability but, more importantly, has tremendous character. We expect him to continue to improve through this season and emerge as one of the top vaulters in
L'Heureux will join second-year pole vaulter junior Noah Thompson who was UNF's first-ever pole vaulter. Thompson currently holds UNF's all-time record in the outdoor pole vault (4.55m) and made last years' Atlantic Sun All-Conference Team.
