Cross Country & Track and Field Finalizes '24 Signing Class

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida cross country & track and field wraps up its 2024 signing class by reeling in five more student-athletes to be a part of the Osprey program, as announced by head coach Jeff Pigg on Friday afternoon.

Gabby Johnson, Drea Thompson and Kaitlyn Godwin will complete the women's 34-person squad, while Shamar Henry puts the finishing touches on the men's 32-person team. A total of 13 female newcomers and eight male newcomers combines for 21 incoming Ospreys in the '24 class.

COACH'S THOUGHTS
"Our incoming class will help us continue to expand our track program beyond middle distance and distance events. We want to continue to be strong in cross country, distance and high jump, but the additions of sprint hurdles and relay athletes will make track season very exciting for our program."
-- head coach Jeff Pigg

Gabby Johnson

Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
Previous School: Wake Forest
High School Track PR | 100m: 11.83; 200m: 24.70; 400m: 55.10
College Track PR | 100m: 12.41; 200m: 25.89; 400m: 56.52

PRIOR TO UNF
Attended her first season of collegiate track at Wake Forest...competed in seven indoor meets and five outdoor meets during her freshman season...also was a part of indoor 400m and DMR team at the ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships...ran track during all four years of HS...set lifetime bests for 100m, 200m and 400m in 2023 as a senior...also competed in XC for eight years.

PERSONAL
Daughter of Micah Johnson and Georgette Lazarus...attended Bishop Kenny HS...born on Nov. 17, 2004...plans to major in kinesiology.

Coach's Thoughts: "Gabby [Johnson] and Kaitlin [Godwin] are both very good all-around sprinters who will bolster the relays and individual events from 100-400 meters."
-- head coach Jeff Pigg

Drea Thompson

Hometown: St. Cloud, Fla.
Previous School: Jacksonville
High School Track PR | HJ: 1.71m (5-7.25)
College Indoor Track PR | HJ: 1.69m (5-6.5) ; 200m: 27.88
College Outdoor Track PR | HJ: 1.70m (5-7); 200m: 27.64

PRIOR TO UNF
Joins the Ospreys as a high-jump transfer from crosstown rival, JU, after her freshman season...placed first in the high jump at the Bob Hayes Invitational and Embry-Riddle Eagle Meet...also finished fourth in the ASUN Outdoor Championships...attended Harmony HS and competed in three years of track & field...placed first in districts and regionals, while also placing in Pepsi Relays as a senior...also finished first in districts and regional with an eighth-place finish in the state meet and placed in the Pepsi Relays as a junior...was first in districts and third in regionals as a sophomore...also was a part of flag football, volleyball and weightlighting teams in high school.

PERSONAL
Daughter of Rachel and Dale Thompson...has one sibling, Cole (24)...father, Dale, played basketball at Hawaii Pacific...attended Harmony HS...born on Sept. 30, 2004...plans to major in graphic design.

Chose UNF because "of the track and art programs."

Coach's Thoughts: "Drea [Thompson] is a very stong addition to our jumps group. She has competed at a high level in the ASUN previously."
-- head coach Jeff Pigg

Kaitlyn Godwin

Hometown: White, Ga.
High School: Cass HS
High School Track PR | 4x100m: 49.33

PRIOR TO UNF
Competed in track all four years of HS...competed in the 100m, 200m and 400m sprint races...made it to GHSA State Championship as a senior...the 4x100m team was undefeated throughout the season and overtook the school record...lifetime best mark with the 4x100m team was 49.33...was regional champion in all three races during all four years of high school...awarded most athletic female at Dalton Rotary Invitational...made it through sectional during final three years...placed third in 400m, fifth in 200m and eighth in 100m in 2024...also played basketball in high school

PERSONAL
Daughter of James and Megan Godwin...has six siblings, Leslie (42), Katy (30), Hannah (26), Alexis (16), Abbie (9) and Michael (7)...father, James, played soccer at Miami (FL)...attended Cass HS...born on Jan. 24, 2006...plans to major in psychology.

Chose UNF because "of its amazing track team. I love the campus and the people here are pretty cool, and that there was a coach willing to coach me."

Coach's Thoughts: "Gabby [Johnson] and Kaitlin [Godwin] are both very good all-around sprinters who will bolster the relays and individual events from 100-400 meters."
-- head coach Jeff Pigg

Shamar Henry

Hometown: Miramar, Fla.
High School: Charles W. Flanagan HS
High School XC PR | 5k: 15:35.40
High School Track PR | 800m: 1:55.19; 1600m: 4:15.31; 3200m: 9:07.07

PRIOR TO UNF
Competed in both cross country & track and field for all four years of high school...was the Sun Sentinel All-Country Runner of the Year as a senior...set a lifetime best in the XC 5k at 15:35.40...also runs a sub-two minute 800m in track, as well as 4:15.31 in the 1600m and 9:07.07 in the 3200m.

PERSONAL
Son of Raymond and Andrea Brown-Henry...has one brother, James (23)...born on June 19, 2006...plans to major in sport management.

Chose UNF because "not only did I love the coaching staff, but I also loved the campus."

Coach's Thoughts: "Shamar [Henry] is a great fit here at UNF. He has long distance range and will be an impact runner."
-- head coach Jeff Pigg

Gabby Johnson

Drea Thompson

Kaitlyn Godwin

Shamar Henry

Players Mentioned

Kaitlyn Godwin

Shamar Henry

Gabby Johnson

Drea Thompson

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