2012-13 IU track recruiting class nets five more signees

Five more signees, including two transfers and three incoming freshman, have joined the 2012-13 Indiana track and field signing class, Head Coach Ron Helmer announced Wednesday.  

The 2012-13 class is now up to 26 signees, including 19 men and seven women. Of the signees, 17 competed for an Indiana high school. Indiana track and field has also become a hotbed for graduate transfers recently, as four have picked IU in the last week.

Here is a breakdown of the five newest members of Hoosier track and field:

Dyrek Chowning
School/hometown: Warren Central High School; Indianapolis
Events: Discus
Career Highlights: Chowning joins Warren Central teammate Brandon Smith in the class, bringing the total number of Warriors in the class to four.
Chowning placed seventh in the discus at the 2012 State Meet and holds a personal record throw of 184 feet, 2 inches.

Rorey Hunter
School/hometown: University of Queensland; Cairns, Australia
Events: Middle Distance
Career Highlights: Hunter joins the Hoosiers on the heels of a 2012 Australian Junior Championship in the 800-meter.
He holds personal records in the 1500 (3:51.36) and 800 (1:50.85).

Lance Roller
School/hometown: University of Virginia (‘12); Cortlandt Manor, New York
Events: Middle Distance
Career Highlights: Roller comes to Bloomington after a decorated career as a Cavalier. He won three ACC titles during his undergraduate career, including in the 800 (2010 and 2012) and 4x400 relay (2012). His personal record in the 800 is 1:46.11.

Brandon Smith
School/hometown: Warren Central; Indianapolis
Events: Middle Distance
Career Highlights: Smith set his personal record mile time of 4:19.71 early on in 2012 — suggesting he was primed for a prolific senior season — only to have it cut short by injury. Nonetheless, coach Helmer expressed confidence that Smith could recover from his injury and compete at a high level in the Big Ten.

Molly Hirt
School/hometown: University of Notre Dame (‘12); Bloomington, Ind.
Events: Distance
Career Highlights: A native of Bloomington, Hirt comes to IU with a personal record time of 17:06.71 in the 5,000 and 9:58.08 in the 3,000.

— Joe Popely