Jenny Ryan

MARQUETTE — Head coach Jenny Ryan and the Northern Michigan University women’s track and field team has landed six recruits for the 2020-21 indoor and outdoors seasons that run from early December through the end of May.

“This incoming class will add depth and strength to many different events,” Ryan said in a sports news release from the university. “Each of them will be great additions to their respective event groups. They are also all great people that will help continue our positive culture. We are very excited to have them become a part of our team.”

This group will add to a squad that placed fourth at the GLIAC Indoor Championships, which was held barely a week before the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships along with the entire outdoor season.

Here are short sketches of each recruit:

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Devin Hable of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, attended Oshkosh West High School, earning three all-conference honors, including first team in 2018 and 2019. She reached the Wisconsin state meet three times and was expected to accomplish the feat again before last season was canceled. As team captain, she was a member of the 4-by-200-meter relay that set a school record while helping two relays qualify for the New Balance Outdoor Nationals.

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Mackenzie Lamphere of downstate Jackson is transferring from Spring Arbor University, where she competed in throwing events. In high school, she attended Jackson Christian and was team captain her junior and senior years. She finished sixth at the 2019 Michigan Indoor Track Series Indoor Championships and at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Championships. In 2019, she was nominated as the 2019 SCAA Outstanding Athlete in the Field.

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Jordan Parker of Marengo, Illinois, attended Marengo Community High School.

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Sydney Romps of downstate Canton competed for Plymouth High School. She holds the school record in the 300 hurdles and was the 2019 MHSAA regional champion in the event. She was also a member of the school’s hockey team.

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Leah Root of downstate Haslett was a team captain on the Haslett High School team, a three-time state qualifier and earned all-region three times. She was also a two-time all-league honoree.

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Jovana Vukas of the eastern European country of Serbia represented Team Serbia in international competition in 2017 and 2018 and was a representative of her country at the 2016 Junior Olympics. She was also a 2019 Cup Final winner for juniors in Serbia. Vukas received an award from the president of Serbia as the most successful sportswoman in their country.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.