Utah Track and Field Adds Seven to Incoming Class

SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah track and field team signed six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the spring signing period. Brooklyn James (Clackamas, Ore.), Taylor Watson (Aurora, Colo.), Skyler Blair (Beaverton, Ore.), Katrina Broadhead (Layton, Utah), Lauren O'Banion (Yorba Linda, Calif.), and Kayla Rees (Syracuse, Utah) will join the Utes for the 2018-19 season.

Utah has 11 total signees, which include Scarlet Dale (Lancashire, United Kingdom), Sara Leonard (Anaheim Hills, Calif.), Brooke Manson (Sammamish, Wash.), Grace McLaughlin (Rockford, Ill.) and Sophie Ryan (Manlius, New York), who committed during the early signing period. Read about the early signees here.

Also joining the Utes in the fall is Kennedy Powell (Roosevelt, Utah) who has affirmed her intent to enroll.

"These additions to the 2018 class round out what I believe is one of the best overall classes we have signed in my 13 years here at Utah," Utah head coach Kyle Kepler said. "Coach Colwell and Coach Wartenberger left no stone unturned in finding student-athletes who are talented, committed, and will add to the excellent team culture we have developed here at Utah. All of them are terrific students and work hard in the classroom to be successful. The future is very bright in every way for women's track and field and cross country at the University of Utah."

Continue below to read about each student-athlete.

Brooklyn James
400m/800m
Clackamas, Ore.
Clackamas HS

Won the 2018 6A Oregon State 400 Championship and finished sixth in the 800 while helping the 4x100 team finish third and the 4x400 team place fourth … won four-straight conference titles in the 800 (2015-18) and two conference titles in the 400 (2017-18) … finished in the top four in the conference in cross country three-straight seasons (2015-17) … second in the 400 at 2018 Indoor UW High School Invitational … won the 2016 USATF Region 13 Championship in the 800 … personal bests of 56.58 in the 400 and 2:14.73 in the 800 … is also a member of Utah's soccer team … 2018 Clackamas HS Athlete of the Year.

A post shared by Utah T&F / XC (@utahtrackxc) on Apr 11, 2018 at 3:05pm PDT

Kepler on James:
"Brooklyn is an outstanding athlete who possesses a unique blend of strength and speed that we know will translate well in her athletic career at Utah and the Pac 12. To get the best long sprinter out of a great high school track state like Oregon says a lot about Coach Colwell's recruiting efforts. We are excited to have another multi-sport athlete in our program as those gals have always performed at a high level here."

Taylor Watson
Sprints
Aurora, Colo.
Cherokee Trail HS

Finished second in the 100 and fifth in the 200 at the 2018 5A Colorado State Championships … helped Cherokee HS win relay state titles in the 4x100 (2016-17) and 4x200 (2016) … won league titles in the 100 and 200 in both 2017 and 2018 … competed at the 2017 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championship after winning the 100 at the 2017 USATF Region 10 Junior Olympic Championship and also won the 100 and 200 at the 2017 Colorado USATF Junior Olympic Championships … finished fourth in the 200 and fifth in the 100 at the 2017 Colorado State Championship … personal bests of 11.73 in the 100 and 24.06 in the 200 … competed with the FK Elite Track Club.

A post shared by Utah T&F / XC (@utahtrackxc) on Apr 11, 2018 at 3:11pm PDT

Kepler on Watson:
"Taylor is a nationally-ranked sprinter who possesses excellent speed and range. She is a winner and will bring that mentality to our sprints group both as an individual and on relays. Her experience at the highest levels of regional and national level competitions will help her adjust to college competition quickly. We believe she can have an immediate impact in our sprints program."

Skyler Blair
Hurdles
Beaverton, Ore.
Southridge HS

Swept the 100 and 300 hurdles at the 2018 6A Oregon State Championships … finished second in the 300 hurdles and third in the 100 hurdles at the 2017 state championships … won league titles in both hurdle events in 2017 and 2018, earning 2018 Metro League District Championship Female Athlete of the Meet … personal bests of 14.17 in the 100 hurdles (tied the state record) and 42.91 in the 300 hurdles.

A post shared by Utah T&F / XC (@utahtrackxc) on Apr 13, 2018 at 3:26pm PDT

Kepler on Blair:
"The top hurdler in Oregon, Skyler had a terrific senior year. Her development over the last two years has been very impressive. Another very versatile athlete whose skills will allow her the opportunity to continue to improve at the collegiate level. She will be a great addition to our young and talented hurdles and long sprint groups."

Katrina Broadhead
Hurdles/Jumps
Layton, Utah
Layton HS

Finished second in the 100 hurdles at the 2018 Utah State Championships … finished in the top five in the hurdles at three state championships, including fifth in 2017 and fourth in 2016 … placed fifth in the long jump at the 2017 Utah State Championships … won two region titles in the 100 hurdles (2017-18) and a title in the 100 meters in 2016 … won two Davis District titles in the 100 hurdles (2017-18) and finished second in the long jump in 2018 … personal bests of 14.75 in the 100 hurdles and 17'10.5" in the long jump … also played volleyball.

A post shared by Utah T&F / XC (@utahtrackxc) on Apr 23, 2018 at 3:11pm PDT

Kepler on Broadhead:
"Katrina is another outstanding and versatile local athlete. We think she has a huge upside as a collegiate athlete as she turns her attention to track and field full time. She can be successful in a variety of events and holds a lot of potential as a multi-event athlete. We are excited to have her in our program."

Mikayla (Kayla) Rees
Hurdles
Syracuse, Utah
UNLV

Competed one season at UNLV, finishing ninth in the 400 hurdles at the 2018 Mountain West Championships with a collegiate personal-best time of 1:02.00 … won the 2016 Utah State Championship in the 300 hurdles and tied the Utah 5A state record (43.04) at the meet … also finished third in the 400 and fourth in the 100 and 200 at the 2016 Utah State Championships … second in the 400 and fourth in the 100 and 200 at the 2015 Utah State Championships … won six region titles between 2015-16 in the 100, 200, 400 and 300 hurdles … won six district titles between 2015-16 in the 100, 200 and 400 … 2016 Davis District Championships Outstanding Performer of the Meet … won the 200 at the 2017 New Balance Boise Indoor … finished 11^th in the 400 at the 2016 Simplot Games … high school personal bests of 12.19 in the 100, 24.93 in the 200 and 55.40 in the 400.

Kepler on Rees:
"Kayla was one of the best all around sprinters and hurdlers as a high school senior. She will bring a year of collegiate experience with her into our program, which should help her adapt to the Pac 12. Another great addition to the sprints and hurdle groups who we believe can be an NCAA qualifier next spring."

Kennedy Powell
Middle Distance
Roosevelt, Utah
Union HS

Won two Utah cross country state championships (2015, 2017) and won 2018 track titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 … finished second in the state in the 800 in 2018 … placed fourth in the 800 and 3,200 and fifth in the 1,600 at the 2016 Utah State Championships … third in the 1,600, fourth in the 3,200 and fifth in the 800 at the 2015 Utah State Championships … won nine Region titles in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 over three seasons (2015-16, 18) … also won two region cross country titles (2015, 2017) … 28^th at the 2017 Nike Cross Southwest Regionals … sixth in the 1,600 at the 2016 Indoor Simplot Games … personal best times of 2:18.57 in the 800, 5:04.12 in the 1,600 and 11:11.44 in the 3,200.

A post shared by Utah T&F / XC (@utahtrackxc) on Apr 23, 2018 at 12:17pm PDT

Kepler on Powell:
"Kennedy's versatility is really what stood out us. She has been very successful in cross country and all of the track distance disciplines. We believe she has a lot of room to develop and improve. She is also an incredible student who we know will be very successful in the classroom here at Utah."

Lauren O'Banion
Sprints
Yorba Linda, Calif.
Yorba Linda HS

Finished fourth in the 2018 CIF Southern Section Division 3 in the 200 and 400 … fourth in the 400 in the 2015 CIF Southern Section Division … won North Hills League titles in the 200 (2018, 2016) and 400 (2017) … helped Yorba Linda HS win four league titles in the 4x100 (2015-18) and three league titles in the 4x400 (2016-18) … personal best times of 12.64 in the 100, 25.19 in the 200 and 56.73 in the 400.

A post shared by Utah T&F / XC (@utahtrackxc) on Apr 23, 2018 at 12:17pm PDT

Kepler on O'Banion:
"Lauren has continued to improve throughout her high school career and made another big jump in the 400 as a senior. Another very versatile sprinter who we believe can help us in both outdoor relays while continuing to develop as an individual."

* All photos provided by the student-athletes.

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