Track & Field Inks First Four in 2019-20 Recruiting Class

MUNCIE, Ind.-- By signing four high school standouts to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, the Ball State track & field and cross country programs have taken strides to strengthen its distance, mid-distance and jumping groups.

The four student-athletes set to join head coach Brian Etelman's program in the fall of 2019 are distance and cross country runners Vivian Van Eck (Shorewood, Ill./Minooka Community) and Juliana Stogsdill (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North), mid-distance and cross country runner Grace Dean (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) and high jumper Charity Griffith (Arlington, Ind./Rushville Consolidated).

"We have a very well-built and talented roster that is on the verge of taking a huge competitive step forward," Etelman said. "These four talented student-athletes will add to the core of the future of our program, and we are incredibly excited to have them. Our staff, particularly Coach McFarlane, put a lot of hard work into signing high caliber recruits in the early period, and we look forward to building on this class in the coming months."

We are very excited to welcome Vivian Van Eck to the @BallStateTFXC family!!!

Van Eck, who finished sixth at the IHSA 3A State Cross Country meet this season, also owns a 3 Mile PR of 16:38.0#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/vzWcqAwkaf
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) November 15, 2018

Vivian Van Eck
Shorewood, IL (Minooka Community High School)

PRs: 1600m - 5:14 (May 2, 2018 -- Southwest Prairie Conference Girls Championships) | 3200m - 11:17 (April 27, 2018 -- Conant Girls Twilight Invitational) | 3 mile - 16:37 (November 3, 2018 -- IHSA 3A State XC Championships)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: A four-time state qualifier for the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) 3A State Cross Country Championships … Placed sixth in the 3 mile at state in 2018… Placed 26th in the 3 mile at state in 2017 … Placed 23rd in the 3 mile at state in 2016 … helped her 4x800 meter relay team to a 24th-place finish in the 2018 IHSA 3A State Track and Field Championships.

MCFARLANE ON VAN ECK: We are very excited to add Vivian to the Cardinal family. She is an incredibly tough athlete who leaves it all out on the course every time she competes. Vivian will make an impact right away in cross country and the long distance races with her championship experience.

We are very excited to welcome @jstogs88 to the @BallStateTFXC family!!!

Juliana finished 14th at the 2018 IHSA 3A State T&F Meet in the 3200m and owns a career-best time of 10:59.58 in the event.#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/nd7YprFJae
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) November 14, 2018

Juliana Stogsdill
Plainfield, IL (Plainfield North High School)

PRs: 800m - 2:17 (May 5, 2016 -- Southwest Prairie Conference) | 1600m - 5:07 (June 1, 2018 -- Magis Miles) | 3200m - 10:59 (April 13, 2018 -- Barrington Girls Invite) | 3 mile - 17:22 (October 1, 2016 -- Peoria High Invitational)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: A four-time state qualifier for the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) 3A State Cross Country Championships … three-time state qualifier in the 3200m for the IHSA 3A Girls State Track and Field Championships … placed 14th in the 3200m at state in 2018 … placed 17th in the 3200m at state in 2017 … placed 16th in the 3200m in 2016.

MCFARLANE ON STOGSDILL: Juliana is a solid competitor with range that translates from cross country onto the track. She embodies being a runner and everything it takes to get better. I'm excited to coach Juliana and know she is going to see immediate success at Ball State.

We are very excited to welcome @grace_dean10 to the @BallStateTFXC family!!!

A three-time Indiana Track & Field state qualifier, Dean owns a 1600m PR of 4:59.99 and a 800m PR of 2:17.36#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/419L0OMFhe
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) November 14, 2018

Grace Dean
Indianapolis, IN (Lawrence North High School)

PRs: 800m - 2:17 (May 23, 2017 -- IHSAA Girls Regional 5 at Ben Davis) | 1600m - 4:59 (May 4, 2018 -- Pike Invitational) | 5K - 18:48 (September 22, 2017 -- Harrison Invitational)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Placed 26th in the 1600m at the 2018 Girls IHSAA Track and Field State Championships … helped her 4x400 meter relay team to a third-place finish and her 4x800 meter relay team to a fourth-place finish at state in 2018 … placed 25th in the 800m and 13th in the 1600m at the 2017 Girls IHSAA Track and Field State Championships … helped her 4x400 meter relay team to a 12th-place finish at state in 2017 … finished 18th in the 800m at the 2016 Girls IHSAA Track and Field State Championships … helped her 4x800 meter relay team to an 11th-place finish at state in 2016.

MCFARLANE ON DEAN: Grace has a fierceness about her that will fit in well with our group. She brings speed that will develop nicely at the collegiate level. It's going to be fun to see what Grace accomplishes in the years to come at Ball State.

We are very excited to welcome @CharitySueGrif1 to the @BallStateTFXC family!!!

Charity, who owns a HJ PR of 5'-6", looks to build upon Ball State's all-time success in the event. She finished 10th at the Outdoor State meet last season.#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/Wl4CU6eCuh
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) November 14, 2018

Charity Griffith
Arlington, IN (Rushville Consolidated High School)

PRs: High Jump - 5'6" (May 22, 2018 -- Shelbyville Girls IHSAA Regional)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Placed 10th in high jump in the 2018 IHSAA Girls State Track and Field Championships … took sixth in the high jump at the 2017 Hoosier State Relays … was a two-time sectional champion and a one-time regional champion in high jump.

ETELMAN ON GRIFFITH: I believe we have a diamond in Charity Griffith. She's been successful at the state level and a tremendous upside. We have a rich tradition in the high jump dating back to Bonita Harrington in the 80s and continues today with our All-American Regan Lewis. Charity will add to what we have built over time here at Ball State.

For the most up-to-date news on Ball State track & field and cross country, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateTFXC.

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Track & Field Inks First Four in 2019-20 Recruiting Class

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