Four WTC Athletes sign with Division I Schools

Four Western Texas College track and field athletes will continue their careers at NCAA Division I schools.

Daniel Gyasi and Marissa Gale, who will receive their associate's degree this month, signed with Texas Tech and will attend school in January.

Two other runners will compete during the spring before departing. Ian Kerr signed with the University of Texas and Antwon Smith signed with the University of Alabama.

Gale finished third in the 400-meter dash at the National Junior College Athletic Association national outdoor meet. She was a member of WTC's 1600-meter relay team that finished second at the national meet. Gale earned all-American honors in the indoor and outdoor 200- and 400-meter dashes and the outdoor 1600-meter relay.

"Coming to WTC helped me get ready mentally and physically for a four-year school," Gale said. "I believe the experience will benefit me when I get to Tech. I was able to lower my times here."

Gale received interest from three other Division I schools — Minnesota, Alabama and Auburn — but said she wanted to stay in Texas.

"I have family in the Houston area and wanted to go to a school in Texas," Gale said. "I wanted to stay close to them."

WTC head coach James Williams credited Gale for the Lady Westerners' success the past two years.

"She made significant contributions to our program and will do the same at Texas Tech," Williams said. "She works hard to reach her goals."

Gyasi credited the WTC program for opening doors to the Texas Tech signing. He was a member of the national champion 1600-meter relay team last season at the national outdoor meet.

"WTC helped me to become a better runner," Gyasi said. "I lowered all of my times. I gained experience and ran on the 400- and 1600-meter relays, as well as the 100- and 200-meter dashes. I hope to continue in the same events at Tech."

Gyasi was WTC's team captain last year when he earned all-American honors in the indoor 400-meter dash and 1600-meter relay.

Williams said Gyasi contributed to the program not just as an athlete, but one of the team's leaders.

"He will make great contributions at Texas Tech," Williams said. "He led by example and always tried to uplift his teammates. He has a tremendous work ethic."

Kerr qualified for last year's national meet in the indoor and outdoor 100- and 200-meter dashes. He was also a member of the 1600-meter relay national championship team.

"I just missed qualifying for the national finals in the 100- and 200-meter dashes," Kerr said. "My experience at WTC has been life changing."

Kerr said the Longhorns showed the most interest, even though Nebraska contacted him.

"Texas has greet facilities," Kerr said. "The coaches made me feel comfortable. I could not pass up this opportunity."

Williams expects Kerr will continue his success in Austin.

"He will contribute and help Texas' relays," Williams said. "I expect him to make major contribution."

Smith said he did not hesitate in deciding to compete for Alabama. He was the national runner-up in the indoor and outdoor 200-meter dashes last season and earned all-American honors in both events. He was the anchor for the 1600-meter relay national championship team.

"I always wanted to run in the (Southeastern Conference) because of the competition," Smith said. "I fell in love with the atmosphere and liked the coaches when I visited the campus. I want to run against the best because it will make you better."

Williams expects Smith to be successful.

"He is a tremendous asset to our program and I expect him do it again in the spring," Williams said. "He's a versatile athlete, who has become one of the top sprinters in the country. He can perform at the highest level."

Smith credited his success to the experience gained at WTC.

"I came here and became more of a man," he said. "It has been a great experience. WTC is a great school."