Constantine Tzirtziris (Kavala, Greece) will join the rest of the Sycamores

Indiana State track signs six new athletes

The Tribune-Star

With Indiana State track and field athletes preparing to return to campus this weekend, head men’s coach John McNichols has announced the signing of six new additions to his squad.

Cody Arnold (Bedford), Michael Disher (Indianapolis), Tykeen Fulton (Trenton, N.J.), Drake Sterling (LaPorte), Chauntez Tyus (Florissant, Mo.) and Constantine Tzirtziris (Kavala, Greece) will join the rest of the Sycamores’ returnees on the combined track and cross country squad as the new athletics season begins.

The Sycamores secured their third-straight Missouri Valley Conference cross country championship in 2006, then followed that up with second-place finishes in both the MVC indoor and outdoor track and field championships. However, several key contributors from those teams are now gone and McNichols believes his new recruits will help fill those holes well.

“Our goal every year when we recruit is to find the best possible athletes to fill in holes left by graduation,” said McNichols. “We had some significant losses including all-conference performers like Paladin Jordan, Corey Dowden and Jordan Fife. We think these new recruits will fill those spots well and that their futures will be bright in our program.”

Arnold and Sterling are transfers from Vincennes University and bring top-10 National Junior College Athletic Association championship finishes with them. Arnold placed seventh in the hammer throw in the 2007 indoor meet and also placed seventh at the outdoor championships in the weight throw. Sterling placed ninth in the 600-meter run at the 2007 NJCAA indoor meet and sixth in the decathlon with 5,707 points at the outdoor championships.

“Cody should really help us in the throws,” McNichols said. ”As for Drake, he’s really an all-around athlete so we’re not exactly sure how we are going to use him yet. But, he’s a talent and could help us in several events.”

A three-time state qualifier in cross country and in track, Disher should contribute immediately in the distance events for the Sycamores. The Southport High School graduate placed sixth in the state in cross county in 2004 and 2005 and followed that with a 19th place finish in his senior season in 2006.

“Michael had a good high career and will have an opportunity to help out immediately,” said McNichols. ”As he develops, he should fill the void left by Fife nicely and help us down the line.”

Fulton, a Trenton Central High School product, brings a distinguished resumé with him in the hurdles. He was the 2007 NJSIAA Group Four outdoor state champion in the 110 and 400 meter hurdles and added a third-place finish in the 200-meter dash.

“We think we got one of the best hurdlers in the nation in Tykeen,” said McNichols. ”One of our assistant coaches, Geoff Wayton, and his brother, who is a high school coach in New Jersey, discovered Tykeen and we owe a lot to them. ISU has a distinguished tradition in the hurdles and he has all the tools to help further that legacy.”

Tyus, a McCluer High School product, will try to contribute in the horizontal jumps. He placed fifth in the state championships in the triple jump in 2007 and fourth in that same event in 2006. Tzirtziris, who hails from Greece, rounds out the class and will contribute in the sprints.

“Our program is fortunate to have a top horizontal jumper like Tyus to fill the holes we lost by Jordan and Corey Dowden,” said McNichols. “He should be able to contribute immediately and we look forward to seeing what he can do.

“Usually, we don’t recruit international athletes but Constantine really peaked our interest,” McNichols continued. ”One of our faculty members overseas alerted us to him and we were impressed. He could be a good complement to our 800-meter runners and could also help in the relays.”

The Sycamores’ 2007-08 combined season officially kicks off with the annual Sycamore Pride Intrasquad and Alumni cross country meet Aug. 25 at the LaVern Gibson Championship Course. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center, with current and former ISU runners participating in the event.

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