MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama track and field head coach Paul Brueske announced Wednesday that five individuals — three men (Luke Ballard, Nate Pudner and Hunter Peters) and two women (Susanna Pudner and Maddie Harrell — have signed National Letters-of-Intent and will join the program during the 2017-18 academic year. All four of the signees will be incoming freshmen next fall.
"I am pleased with our early signees," Brueske said. "We addressed some areas that we needed help in."
Ballard, a Hoover, Ala., native won the 2016 Mobile Challenge of Champions in the Invite Division in javelin with a 176'0" mark. The Buccaneer placed second in the 2015 AHSAA 7A Championship with a 182' throw. Ballard's person-best in his junior season was a 185' 7" mark. The Hoover High School senior lettered all four years in track and field and holds the freshman javelin record with the program. Ballard selected South Alabama after receiving interest from 24 other schools.
"Luke is one of the best javelin guys in the state and an excellent student as well," Brueske said. "We think he is going to make an impact in the Sun Belt."
Peters, who hails from Madison, Wis., was a state finalist in the 110m hurdles and 300m hurdles earning him first-team all-state honors for the 110m hurdles. He was a member of the all-area and the Big Eight Conference champion in 110m hurdles. Peters chose South Alabama over Western Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
"Hunter is a solid hurdler," Brueske said. "We look for him to come in and develop into a standout for us."
The Pudner twins, Susanna and Nate, sign with the Jags after lettering at Auburn High School in Auburn, Ala., as distance runners. Between the two, they have been part of multiple state titles in track and field, cross country and swimming programs. Nathan was a member of the Auburn cross country team that won the state championship in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He was also part of the Tigers' track and field team that earned the 2015 state championship. Susanna was a member of the 4x800m squad which set a school record in the event. She also placed in the top three sectional in the 800m and 1600m. She also is a member of the Auburn swim team where she is a four-time state champion in swimming and diving.
"The Pudner twins are great kids that will contribute to our distance program," Brueske said. "We See a lot of potential in them."
Maddie Harrell has lettered the past four years at Walker High School in Jasper, Ala. Harrell has also been part of the club team Speed City and has competed in AAU track and field in Birmingham, Ala.
"Maddie is a raw talent with good foot speed," Brueske said. "We think she will be very competitive in this league."
South Alabama will also look to make more additions to the signee class in the spring.
"We are not finished," Brueske said. "We still have some areas where we need more depth. We will continue our recruiting efforts in and look to add more in the spring."
The Jaguars will open the indoor season on Friday, Jan. 13 at the UAB Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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