SIUE Men's Track Announces 10 Signees
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville track and field coach Darryl Frerker and his staff have been quite busy in the off-season signing national letters of intent.
Frerker and assistants Sandy Moran and Peter Juszczyk announced the addition of 10 student-athletes for next season.
They are Eric Steffen (Springfield), Phil Freimuth (Effingham), Rodney Blue (Carbon Cliff, Ill.), Brian Taghon (East Moline), Matt Davis (Williamsville), Nick Osterbur (Thomasboro), Steven Landers (Auburn), Michael Reick (Aledo), Mark Melleville (Altamont) and Dane Shaw (Edwardsville).
Steffen, of Lanphier High School, was a state qualifier in the Class AA 110-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles, placing sixth at 110 meters.
"Eric fills a major need we have at the hurdles. He is a top-level hurdler with developing speed," said Frerker.
Freimuth placed fourth at the Class AA state meet for Effingham High School in the high jump with a leap of 6 feet, 8 inches. The SIUE coaching staff sees Freimuth as a prototype decathlete.
"He has the correct build and abilities to become a high-level decathlete. He can jump well both in the long jump and has good speed in the 100 and 400 meters. He should push (GLVC Outdoor Freshman of the Year) Taylor Reich toward national qualifying marks in the decathlon next year," Frerker said.
Blue placed seventh at the high jump at the Class AA meet for East Moline United High School after making his second appearance at the state championships. He also qualified for the state championships in the triple jump.
"We will mainly focus on the high jump and triple jump with Rodney, and he should bring a lot to the jumps crew next season," said Frerker.
Taghon joins prep teammate Blue at SIUE. Taghon placed eighth as an individual at the Class AA cross country meet, earning All-State honors. He also qualified for the 2 mile and the mile run at the state track meet.
"We expect Brian to come in and challenge for one of the top spots in cross country," said Frerker. "We also need him to come into the track season expecting to place in the distance events."
Davis, of Williamsville High School, is a two-time state qualifier at the Class A cross country state meet. He was an All-State performer as a junior, and he qualified for the state track meet for three consecutive years.
"Matt will add depth to our cross country team and track distance squad," said Frerker. "He could challenge for the top five in cross country."
Osterbur, a two-time state qualifier in the discus for St. Joseph-Ogden High School, was instrumental in helping his prep football team to a state championship as a junior.
"Nick is only in his second year of throwing. He's quite tall with a great wingspan and has a natural whip to his arm," said Frerker.
Landers, of Auburn High School, was the state champion at the Class A meet in the shut put with a throw of 55'3.25" Landers also is an all-state football player.
"Steven is another good athlete and seems to really enjoy track and field. He can throw the shot put well because of his speed and power as well as his strength," Frerker said.
Reick, of Aledo High School, led his prep football team to a state championship this past season. On the track, Reick qualifier for the state meet in the discus.
"We will try different events with him to find him another throwing event or two to contribute in," said Frerker.
Melleville, a transfer from Rend Lake College, was a junior college national qualifier in all four throwing events in the javelin, shot put, discus and hammer.
"With his strength and athleticism," noted Frerker, "he will improve greatly at the hammer and the javelin once he has time to work on it."
Shaw, of Edwardsville High School, helped the Tigers to a seventh place finish at the Class AA cross country meet. He placed 80th in the state championship in a field of 268 runners.
"It's great to see a local athlete who wants to take his craft to the next level. We're excited to have him here," said Frerker.
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