Men's Track and Field 6/26/2020 12:35:00 PM Drake Athletic Communications

Drake Track & Field Adds Eight Additional Student-Athletes

Bulldogs continue to amass talent and depth heading into next season.

The Drake University track & field and cross country program continued to bolster its roster with the addition of eight student-athletes to its incoming class. Earlier this spring, the Bulldogs added 16 student-athletes to its roster.

The newest wave of future Bulldogs includes student-athletes from three states and two international standouts, both of whom are junior national champions. The Bulldogs also added a Missouri Valley Conference champion thrower. The group includes

Dylan DeAngelo - Hurdles - Ankeny, Iowa
Adam Kessler - Throws - Lansing, Ill.
Anastasia Kirillov - Distance - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Joann Nguyen - Sprints - Stone Mountain, Ga.
David Olowookere - Hurdles - Kwara, Nigeria
Briandrias Rhodes - Sprints - San Antonio, Texas
Conner Riley - Distance - Ottumwa, Iowa
Sam Sturtzer - Hurdles - Bettendorf, Iowa

One of those international competitors is Anastasi Kirillov from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She was a three-time U18 national champion in the 1,500m, 3,000m and cross country. She has posted a career-best of 4:43 in the 1,500m and 10:12 in the 3,000m.

"Anastasia is the icing on the cake for the women's distance class," said cross country acting head coach Jay Koloseus. "She compliments a great group and her accolades speak for themself with national championships in Argentina and headlines in South America. It will be exciting to see her make strides in North America. Kirillov is a brilliant student and is the total package as a student-athlete.

David Olowookere also joins the program as a national champion in his native Nigeria. He won a U20 national championship and set the U20 national record in the 400-meter hurdles at 51.07. He was also the West African Junior Champion in the event and took second place in the 100-meter hurdles, an event that he owns a best of 14.57 in. He is also a 48.30 400m runner.

"This is a powerful addition to the sprint hurdles," said acting head track & field coach Asha Gibson. "David is one of the best young hurdlers out of Nigeria and arguably globally. With added resources and team surroundings, David's potential will truly blossom."

Adam Kessler joins the program as a transfer from MVC rival SIU where he was a conference champion in the shot put and weight throw. Kessler is a three-time MVC champion in the shot put and owns the MVC indoor record in the event. He has twice been named the league's Most Outstanding Field Athlete. Prior to attending SIU, he was a two-time Ohio Valley Conference champion in the shot put at Eastern Illinois.

"Adam is exactly what this program needs," said Drake throws coach Zane Chapman. "He's a national-level shot put thrower that will have an immediate impact. His accolades speak for themselves and we're looking to build upon his success. He is a game-changer that will set the tone for this program and help further put Drake on the map as an emerging and established throws program."

The class also features three native Iowans, including Ankeny Centennial's Dylan DeAngelo. The hurdler is a four-time state medalist and two-time Drake Relays medalists who owns a best of 53.35 in the 400-meter hurdles and 8.56 in the 60-meter hurdles.

"Dylan is no stranger to Drake University," Gibson said. "Collegiate athletics runs in the family and we are excited to have Dylan join the extended family. He is one of the top intermediate hurdlers in the state and brings an impressive resume. Dylan brings great qualities to a new contingent of hurdlers."

DeAngelo is the son of former Drake quarterback Jamie DeAngelo and his mother, Tina, was a standout pitcher for the Drake softball team and current assistant coach for the softball program.

Another in-state hurdler joins him in Bettendorf's Sam Sturtzer. Sturtzer, who competed at Pleasant Valley High School where he posted a personal best of 15.08 in the 110-meter hurdles and 8.88 in the 60-meter hurdles.

"Sam has a unique background that includes playing hockey," Gibson said. "With the ability to focus specifically on track and field, expect Sam to evolve has a solid hurdler with the foundation we are creating."

Conner Riley rounds out the incoming in-state recruits as a junior college All-American from nearby Indian Hills Community College in his hometown of Ottumwa, Iowa. He was also an academic honoree with a 3,000-meter best of 9:06 and 8k best of 26:12.

"Conner will add some exciting depth to the men's group," Koloseus said. "With an unparalleled work ethic, Riley will contribute to our culture and push his peers to get better. I am excited to see Conner grow as an athlete and represent his home state of Iowa proudly."

The sprints group also added to its depth and talent with a pair of women's sprinters, including Briandria Rhodes from San Antonio, Texas. At San Antonio Clark High School, she was the school and district record holder as well as a two-time state championship qualifier. As a district, area and regional champion, she posted bests of 11.90 in the 100m, 24.53 in the 200m and 57.39 in the 400m.

"Briandrias is a true gem that will provide a dominant presence in the sprints," Gibson said. "She is the total package that possesses great leadership qualities that will aid the development of our young women's sprint squad."

Joann Nguyen joins the team from Tucker High School in Stone Mountain, Ga., where she was a two-time state medalist and a school-record holder. A team captain and county champion, she recorded bests of 56.10 in the 400 meters, 25.7 in the 200 meters and 2:25 in the 800 meters.

"Joann will bring great personality and commitment to improve and dominate on and off the track," Gibson said. "She was one of the top 400-meter athletes from the state of Georgia and will prove to be a great addition to our team."

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Players Mentioned

Anastasia Kirillov: Distance; Freshman

Joann Nguyen: Sprints; Freshman

Briandrias Rhodes: Sprints; Freshman

Dylan DeAngelo: Hurdles; Freshman

Adam Kessler: Throws; Senior

David Olowookere: Hurdles; Freshman

Conner Riley: Distance; Senior

Sam Sturtzer: Hurdles; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Anastasia Kirillov
: Freshman
: Distance

Joann Nguyen
: Freshman
: Sprints

Briandrias Rhodes
: Freshman
: Sprints

Dylan DeAngelo
: Freshman
: Hurdles

Adam Kessler
: Senior
: Throws

David Olowookere
: Freshman
: Hurdles

Conner Riley
: Senior
: Distance

Sam Sturtzer
: Freshman
: Hurdles

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Drake Track & Field Adds Eight Additional Student-Athletes

Bulldogs continue to amass talent and depth heading into next season.

Players Mentioned

Anastasia Kirillov

Joann Nguyen

Briandrias Rhodes

Dylan DeAngelo

Adam Kessler

David Olowookere

Conner Riley

Sam Sturtzer

Players Mentioned

Anastasia Kirillov

Joann Nguyen

Briandrias Rhodes

Dylan DeAngelo

Adam Kessler

David Olowookere

Conner Riley

Sam Sturtzer