Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Track teams secure two during early signing period
11/17/2005 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
Nov. 17, 2005
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois track and field program signed Terry Miller and Nefeteri Williams during the early signing period, head coach Connie Price-Smith announced Thursday.
Miller, a Ada, Ohio native, is considered one of the top three shot put/discus combination throwers in the nation at the high school level. At Kenton High School, he is a two-time league and district champion in both the shot and discus. Also a two-time regional champion in the shot, he broke the Division II state record in 2005 with a throw of 62 feet, 11.75 inches.
Miller won the state discus title in 2005, and finished third in the shot as a junior and runner-up as a sophomore.
"He's probably the best throwing recruit that Southern has ever signed," throws coach John Smith said. "What makes him a great thrower is his knowledge of his event. He is a student of his event, constantly studying and working to improve."
Miller turned down offers from Louisville and Kent State to sign with Southern.
Williams, an addition to the women's team, will run both cross country and track. The Proviso West prep is a two-time All-State performer in cross country. At the 2005 Illinois State Track Meet, she finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles (14.92) and sixth in the 300-meter hurdles (44.84). She is also the Junior Olympic National Champion in the 2000-meter steeplechase.
"Nefeteri is a very unique athlete in that she is an All-State hurdler and All-State distance runner," distance coach Matt Sparks said. "She wanted to come to a program that was successful in cross country, middle-distance and steeplechase and we can provide her with all of that."
The Chicago native will primarily run middle distance in track, where she is expected to compete in the 3000-meter steeplechase during the outdoor season.
"We're really excited to sign these two athletes during the early signing period." Price-Smith said. "Terry will come right in and contribute, making the men's team stronger in terms of throws and points. Nefeteri will add depth to the women's cross country team, her range of events is also a plus with her middle-distance and steeplechase experience."
