Cyclones Ink Eight

AMES, Iowa- Iowa State's first year head coach Corey Ihmels and his staff took full advantage of this year's signing day, inking eight high-performance level prospects.

At the top of the 2008 class is thrower Zach Richards. The Monroe, Wash. native has crushed competition at the prep level, recording a career-best toss in the hammer throw of 205-04. A student at Monroe High School, Richards finished runner-up in the event at the USATF National Junior Olympics Championship and is considered one this season's most coveted recruits.

ISU was also able to get Bettendorf native Devin Allbaugh, one of Iowa's finest recruits, to sign on the dotted line. Allbaugh captured an individual title in cross country at the 2007 4A State meet with time of 15:39. A student at Pleasant Valley High School, he led the Spartans to consecutive team cross country championships in 2006-07 and was named Iowa Gatorade State Runner of the Year in 2007.

On the women's side, the Cyclones were able to secure Kianna Elahi, who currently holds the nation's fastest time in the 300-meter low hurdles (43.04). From Millard North High School, Elahi has won three Nebraska class A state titles and finished runner-up in the 100-meter hurdles in 2007.

Other signees include thrower Danielle Frere, sister of ISU football players Nate and Nick Frere, as well as middle-distance runner Christine Fries out of Apple Valley, Minn. and thrower Laishema Hampton from St. Louis Park, Minn. Fries is a strong middle-distance runner, while Hampton is a thrower who earned a runner-up finish in the shot put at last season's Minnesota AA state meet.

Along with Richards and Allbaugh, the men's squad inked jumper Anthony Johnson from New Prague Minn.and javelin thrower Daniel Newhouse from Aurora, Ill. who has a monster career-best toss in the event just over 186-00.

All incoming recruits will join the Cyclone squad in the fall of 2008. Recruiting Coordinator Blake Boldon hopes the newest Cyclones will make an immediate impact.

Cyclone Signees

Zach Richards, Throws, Monroe, Wash.

Daniel Newhouse, Throws, Aurora, Ill.

Devin Allbaugh, Distance, Bettendorf, Iowa

Anthony Johnson, Jumps, New Prague, Minn.

Kianna Elahi, Hurdles, Omaha, Neb.

Danielle Frere, Throws, Muscatine, Iowa

Laishema Hampton, Throws, St. Louis Park, Minn.

Christine Fries, Middle Distance, Apple Valley, Minn.