ABILENE – ACU head track and field coach Don
D. Hood announced Thursday that the Wildcats have signed eight high school athletes to national letters-of-intent for the 2009-10 academic year.
On the men's side, the Wildcats signed distance runners Spencer Lynn of White Oak and Colby Delbene of Pawling, N.Y., while on the women's side ACU has signed sprinter Sydney Smith of Reagan County, Michelle Ratliff of San Jacinto Christian School in Amarillo, half-miler Shayla Herndon of Troy, thrower Shelaina Lakey of Hamlin and standout sprinters Lauren and Lynette Atkinson of Ladue Watkins High School in St. Louis, Mo.
Lynn was second at the Class 3A state meet in the 3200 meters, turning in a time of 9:43, and he was second at the state meet in the 1600 meters in 4:25. Delbene has a best time of 9:03 in the 3200 meters.
Smith was second at the Class A state meet in the 200 meters at 25.2, while Herndon was fourth at the regional meet in the 800 meters in 2:26. Lakey has a best mark of 123 feet in the discus, while Ratliff is a 17-6.00 long-jumper and 58.0 quarter-hurdler.
The Atkinson twins are the two of the most decorated athletes in Ladue history. Both are multi-time all-state selections and state champions who will compete in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 4x100 and 4x400 relays for the Wildcats.
