THIBODAUX, La. -- Following a successful spring season featuring cross country along with both indoor and outdoor track & field, Nicholls State University head track & field/cross country coach Stefanie Slekis managed to finalize a strong nine-member 2021 signing class for the upcoming year of competition, inking a grand total four on the men's side and five for the women's squad with a notable four transferring in from fellow collegiate institutions.

"I'm really excited about our 2021 signing class," Slekis said. "We have some talented freshmen joining us, but also added some experienced student-athletes on the distance side that will make big, immediate impacts on both our men's and women's cross country and track & field teams. Most notably look for Miles Kanipe to lead our men's team, as he has compiled a great four years at Loyola Chicago. He and I both agree he has a lot of untapped potential in cross country and some of the longer track events, so look for him to race out in the front group this fall especially with us being able to practice on our home course and gain valuable experience prior to Nicholls hosting the Southland Conference Championships.

"On the women's side, Ceren Yilmaz and Elaina Hansen are both ready to come in and make an immediate impact as well racing/scoring in the Top Five within cross country. They're both comfortable with higher mileage and have solid experience already competing at a high level. I'm excited to see our entire team step up to a new level this fall as we add these highly motivated young men and women to our training groups. I think we will reach new heights in training that will bring the best out of our returners and newcomers when we compete across all events."

CLASS OF 2021 SIGNEES
Summer Additions

Name: Elaina Hansen
Hometown: Tenino, Wa.
High School: Rainier HS
Previous School: Saint Martin's University
Events: 1500m -- 4:59.88; 3000m -- 10:41.05; 5000m -- 18:49.70; 10,000m -- 38:46.87; 6k (XC) -- 22:40.20

Name: Ceren Yilmaz
Home Country: Turkey
Previous School: Suleyman Demirel
Events: 1500m -- 4:41.94; 3000m -- 10:17.50; 6k (XC) -- 21.32.00

Name: Timmy Seiler
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
High School: St. Michael the Archangel HS
Events: Distance & Cross Country

Name: Jake Fabacher
Hometown: Howe, Texas
High School: Howe HS
Events: Mid-Distance & Cross Country

Name: Miles Kanipe
Hometown: Dexter, Mich.
High School: Dexter HS
Previous School: Loyola Chicago
Events: Mile -- 4:21.03; 3000m -- 8:34.15; 8k (XC) -- 26.01.00

Name: Randy Canady
Hometown: Groesbeck, Texas
High School: Groesbeck HS
Previous School: Jacksonville College
Events: Mid-Distance & Cross Country

CLASS OF 2021 SIGNEES
Fall & Spring Additions

Name: Ma'Kayla Flakes
Hometown: Spring, Texas
High School: Spring HS
Events: 400m -- 56.59; 200m -- 25.35

Name: Jadah O'Quain
Hometown: Harker Heights, Texas
High School: Harker Heights HS
Events: Hurdles

Name: Jadacia Shanklin
Hometown: Thibodaux, La.
High School: E.D. White Catholic HS
Events: 100m; 200m

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Track & Field, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_XCTF), Instagram (@geauxcolonels) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).