Add Three to the Bearcats!

Three new additions to the Men's track and field team for the 2015/2015 season include Chase Hagene (Throws), Harry Uyehara (Throws), and Ben Richter (Distance). All three Men are seniors competing for teams within an hour of the University and will be critical to the success in coming years.

Coach Mendez commented on the first group of men signees, "I cannot say enough about the character of our first group of signees. Chase, Harry, and Ben are all outstanding men and have the potential to become even greater athletes. They work hard and are involved across the campus among many facets. We are proud of the caliber of student-athlete they are bringing to our institution."

Chase Hagene (Hometown: Nashville, Ill.)

Thrower – Nashville High School, Nashville, Ill.

Has starred in both football and track and field at Nashville High School…placed fifth in the IHSA Class 1A state meet in the discus throw…has served as a two-year captain of both the football and track programs for the Hornets…has received All-Conference honors in both sports…has recorded personal bests of 48' 9" in the shot put and 162' 8" in the discus…has been a two-time recipient of Nashville's Outstanding Fielder Award.

Harry Uyehara (Hometown: Collinsville, Ill.)

Thrower – Collinsville High School, Collinsville, Ill.

Has displayed his talents as a thrower at Collinsville High School…collected first-team All-Conference honors in the discus as a junior in 2013…captured the conference title in the event as a sophomore and junior…won the county championship in the discus as a sophomore in 2012…has notched personal best efforts of 47' 1" in the shot put and 162' 7" in the discus.

Ben Richter (Hometown: Troy, Ill.)

Middle Distance Runner – Triad High School, Troy, Ill.

Excelled in both cross country and track at nearby Triad High School…placed 16^th in the IHSA Class 2A Cross Country State Championship as a senior…in cross country, became first male athlete to earn All-State honors for the Knights…was a three-year member of the All-County and All-Conference teams…nabbed first-team All-Area honors as a senior and honorable mention accolades as a sophomore…collected third-team All-Metro honors as a senior…was a two-time team Most Valuable Runner and collected the Best Newcomer Award as a freshman in 2010…was named as the Runner of the Year by the Alton Road Runner club…led Triad to conference titles as a freshman and junior…posted a personal best of 14:57 on the cross country course…in track and field, qualified for the state meet as a freshman in the 4 x 800-meter relay…was a two-time county runner-up at 1,600 meter and was second at 3,200 meters as a junior in 2013…has recorded personal bests of 4:49 (indoor) and 4:46, respectively, at 1,600 meters and 10:05 in the 3,200-meter run…has helped the Knights to three straight conference championships and a top 10 team finish at the state meet in 2013.