Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Track & Field Announces Top-Flight Signing Class
November 21, 2014 | Track and Field
Texas Tech announced the 2015-16 signing class on Friday.
Nov. 21, 2014
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Head coach Wes Kittley and the Texas Tech track & field coaching staff announced the 2015-16 signing class, a combination of highly-ranked athletes in a variety of events, on Thursday.
The class provides nine top-15 marks in the United States in a combined eight events, including No. 1 rankings in the 200 meter dash and pole vault. The class also combines for 12 performances ranking in the top five of their respective states in their respective events.
On the men's side, the Red Raiders picked up seven athletes total--four coming from Texas, and one each coming from Missouri, North Carolina and The Bahamas. On the women's side, Tech signed six athletes--also having four from Texas, along with one from Pennsylvania and one from California.
"I am so excited about this signing class," Texas Tech head coach Wes Kittley said. "When you take the previous signees and mid-year acquisitions and add them to this class, it becomes really special. I love the depth this class has, and the fact that so many different events are represented within it. Signing Brandon Bray and Andrew Hudson, both the top returning athletes in their respective events in the country, is something we haven't been able to do in a while. I can't wait for this class to be on campus."
Track & field recruiting class rankings have yet to be released, but with the plethora of quality athletes to sign as Red Raiders, Tech figures to be near the top of this year's class rankings.
Men's class event rankings
| Athlete | Event | State Rank | National Rank |
| Brandon Bray | Pole Vault | No. 1 (TX) | No. 1 |
| Chris Caldwell | 60 Meter Hurdles | N/A | No. 1 (NJCAA) |
| Chris Caldwell | 110 Meter Hurdles | N/A | No. 1 (NJCAA) |
| Charles Brown | High Jump | No. 3 (TX) | No. 6 |
| Charles Brown | Long Jump | No. 5 (TX) | No. 16 |
| Charles Brown | Triple Jump | No. 4 (TX) | No. 20 |
| Vincent Crisp | 800 Meters | No. 1 (MO) | No. 6 |
| Andrew Hudson | 100 Meters | No. 2 (TX) | No. 3 |
| Andrew Hudson | 200 Meters | No. 1 (TX) | No. 1 |
| ElRoy McBride | 400 Meters | N/A | No. 14 (NJCAA) |
| Antonio Ruiz | Pole Vault | No. 4 (TX) | No. 6 |
Women's class event rankings
| Athlete | Event | State Rank | National Rank |
| Hannah Bradley | 800 Meters | No. 4 (TX) | No. 35 |
| Tiffani Johnson | 100 Meters | No. 5 (TX) | No. 15 |
| Lauren Landry | 800 Meters | No. 1 (TX) | No. 23 |
| Jordie Munford (2013) | 100 Meter Hurdles | No. 3 (CA) | No. 4 |
| Jordie Munford (2013) | 300 Meter Hurdles | No. 2 (CA) | No. 5 |
| Talajah Murrell | Long Jump | No. 3 (TX) | No. 20 |
| Talajah Murrell | 100 Meters | No. 3 (TX) | No. 11 |
| Cyre Virgo | High Jump | No. 1 (PA) | No. 7 |
Hannah Bradley
Middle Distance, Flower Mound, Texas (Marcus HS)
Personal Bests:
800 Meters -- 2:12.06
High School: Third-place finisher in the 800m at the 2014 5A State Meet ... Her 2:12.06 outdoor 800m run at the state meet was the No. 9 time in Texas, in 2014 ... Ran the No. 4 indoor 800m time in Texas, in 2014 (2:21.09.)
Hannah Bradley is a terrific sign for us. I love her range from the 1600m down to the 800m. She is a hard worker and will improve quickly with the good natural strength she possesses. She also comes from a perennial powerhouse high school program, so she brings a great mindset as well. -- Coach Wes Kittley.
Brandon Bray
Pole Vault, China Spring, Texas (China Spring HS)
Personal Bests:
Pole Vault -- 17'8.5''
High School: No. 1 returning pole vaulter in the nation ... National pole vault record holder for both the 16 & 17-year-old age divisions (17' 6'' & 17' 8.5'') ... 2014 3A State pole vault champion ... His personal-best vault would have tied for 10th place at the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Brandon is the number one returning high school pole vaulter in the nation, and is in a position to have another record-breaking season. He is going to be a great addition to our pole vault crew and a great asset to our team. I am so excited to be able to add such a great young man and athlete to our Red Raider Track & Field program. -- Coach Tom Slagle.
Charles Brown
Jumps, Wichita Falls, Texas (Hirschi H.S.)
Personal Bests:
High Jump - 6'10''
Long Jump - 23'8''
Triple Jump - 47'8''
High School: 2013 UIL 3A State Champion in the triple jump ... 2013 3A State runner-up in the long jump ... 2013 3A State fourth-place finisher in the high jump.
Charles Brown's versatility and ability to compete in three jumping events made him an instant high priority for me in the recruiting process. I personally witnessed his ability on our home track for the UIL 3A Region 1 meet. His upside gives me a ton of excitement as we welcome a young and talented 2015 class. -- Coach James Thomas.
Chris Caldwell
Hurdles, Wildwood, Mo. (Lafayette HS/Iowa Central CC) *Mid-Year Acquisition*
Personal Bests:
60 Meter Hurdles - 7.68
100 Meter Hurdles - 13.69
Prior To Tech: Ran the top NJCAA 60mH time in the nation in 2013, a 7.68 at the Tyson Invitational, which would have been good enough for No. 7 on the NCAA indoor list ... He also took third at the NJCAA National Championships in the 110 meter hurdles.
Chris comes in as one of the rising stars in the United States in the 110 meter hurdles. I have coached some great hurdlers, and I can tell that Chris has the potential to be really good. We're excited to have him. - Coach Dion Miller
Vincent Crisp
Middle Distance, Huntersville, N.C. (North Mecklenburg)
Personal Bests:
400 Meters - 48.47
800 Meters - 1:50.99
High School: Won the 400 meters at the N.C. AAU Region 5 qualifier with a personal-best 48.47 ... Took third in the 800 meters at the AAU National Junior Olympics, running a personal-best 1:50.99 ... Six-time high school All-American.
Vincent is a tremendous talent who has come out of nowhere into the track world. He never ran for his high school until now, and he has improved so much in the last year. He has good speed, good endurance, and hates to lose! He is going to be a great one for the Red Raiders. -- Coach Wes Kittley.
Andrew Hudson
Sprints, Cibolo, Texas (Steele HS)
Personal Bests:
100 Meters -- 10.28
200 Meters - 20.64
High School: No. 1 returning 200-meter sprinter in the country (20.64) ... Ran a personal-best 10.28 to win the 100 meter dash at the USA TF Region 12 Junior Olympics ... Won a combined eight sprinting events during the 2014 outdoor season.
Andrew is going to be an incredible addition to our sprint core. He has a winner's mentality, which is evidenced by his incredible success, being the top returning 200-meter sprinter in the country. He is a great kid, too, and carries himself the right way. He is a great piece to what is becoming a special class. -- Coach Dion Miller.
Tiffani Johnson
Sprints, Duncanville, Texas (Duncanville HS)
Personal Bests: 100 Meters - 11.58
High School: Fourth-place finisher in the 100 meters at the 5A state meet in 2014 ... Ran a personal-best 11.58 at the 2014 Region 1 5A Meet, in Lubbock ... Finished fourth in her division in the 100 meter dash at the Texas Relays.
I think Tiffani will be a great addition to our women's program. Not only is she extremely talented, but she also has a level of excitement for being a Red Raider that can only enhance the culture of our program. -- Coach Devin West.
Lauren Landry
Middle Distance, Lubbock Texas (Monterey HS)
Personal Bests: 400 Meters - 57.44 800 Meters - 2:10.79
High School: 2014 4A State runner-up in the 800m ... Holds both the 400m and 800m school records at Lubbock Monterey High School ... Second-place finish at state was a personal-best 2:10.79.
We believe Lauren is a "Diamond in the Rough" type of athlete, placing 2nd last year in the 800m at the Texas 4A meet. She is a newcomer to the 800, having only ran at a few meets in the event. She is going to be a great one for the Red Raiders. Not only that, but she is also a local girl coming from Lubbock Monterey, and it's always great to bring local talent to Tech. -- Coach Wes Kittley.
ElRoy McBride
Sprints, Moore's Island, The Bahamas/Southwest Christian *Mid-Year Acquisition*
Personal Bests:
200 Meters - 20.82
400 Meters - 46.99
Prior to Tech: Placed 10th at the 2014 NJCAA Outdoor National Championships in the 400 meters, running a personal-best 46.99 ... Ran an all-conditions 200-meter personal-best of 20.82 at the 2014 Red Raider Open ... His wind-legal personal-best 200 meter dash is a 21.07 he ran at the Mississippi College Senior Opener.
ElRoy comes in as one of the top sprinters out of the The Bahamas, providing depth and valuable experience for our sprint core. He is a great kid, and I'm really excited to work with him. - Coach Dion Miller
Jordie Munford
Sprints/Hurdles, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Rancho Cucamonga/Oregon) *Mid-Year Acquisition*
Personal Bests:
100 Meters - 11.77
100 Meter Hurdles - 13.58
300 Meter Hurdles - 40.96
High School: Took second in both the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles at the California state meet for Rancho Cucamonga High School as a junior ... Also finished second in the 300 hurdles as a sophomore in 2011 ... Munford was also second in California as a sophomore in 2011 (41.90)...prep bests: 100 hurdles - 13.5; 300 hurdles - 40.9 ... Was the top-ranked 300m hurdler in the nation when she originally signed with Oregon, before transferring to Texas Tech.
Jordie is an exceptional athlete that will make an instant impact to our women's program. She brings a serious desire to be great and will be a major contributor in providing leadership and experience to our women's sprint and hurdle group. -- Coach Devin West.
Talajah Murrell
Sprints/Jumps, San Antonio, Texas (Converse Judson HS)
Personal Bests:
100 Meters - 11.66
Long Jump - 19'1.5''
High School: 5A State runner-up in the 100m (11.66) ... District and Regional champion in the 100m dash ... No. 6 returning 100m sprinter in the nation ... No. 3 returning long jumper in the state of Texas.
Talajah is one of the best sprinters in the state of Texas, and I believe she will make an immediate impact on our program. She is a very versatile athlete that can help us in many ways. Our goal has always been to recruit the best in Texas and landing Talajah is an important step in that direction. -- Coach Devin West.
Antonio Ruiz
Pole Vault, Tomball, Texas (Tomball Memorial HS)
Personal Bests:
100 Meters - 10.98
200 Meters - 21.88
Pole Vault -16'8.75''
High School: Third-place finisher at the 2014 4A State Championships in the pole vault ... Cleared a personal-best 16' 8.5'' at the Texas Relays, the No. 13 mark in the nation ... Won the pole vault at four different meets during the 2014 outdoor season.
I feel Antonio is one of the nation's top-five high school pole vaulters returning this season. Besides the pole vault, he also competed in the 100, 200, and was a member of the his teams 4X100 relay team, all of which qualified for the UIL Regional Meet last season. I look for him to continue to do great things throughout his senior season, and continue that as a Red Raider. He is going to be a great fit for our pole vault program, and to our team. -- Coach Tom Slagle.
Cyre Virgo
Jumps/Sprints, Fleetwood, Penn. (Fleetwood Area HS)
Personal Bests:
100 Meter Hurdles - 14.73
High Jump - 6'1''
Long Jump - 18'9.75''
High School: PA state record holder in the high jump (5'11.25) ... In 2013, she was ranked No. 2 in the U.S., with a jump of 6'1'' ... State Champion in the high jump in 2013 and 2014 ... 2013 New Balance Indoor High Jump Champion.
I am extremely excited that Cyre chose Tech. Her athletic accomplishments are phenomenal, but her personality & high character seal the deal for me as a coach. I am very optimistic Cyre will be a Lady Raider that leaves her mark on our program in a variety of areas. -- Coach James Thomas.
Players Mentioned
