UW track signs three athletes

The University of Wyoming track and field team announced the signing three student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent to compete in the upcoming 2009-10 season.

The Cowboys added one thrower, Mark Sparks from Aurora, Colo., while the jump crew got one stronger as well with Lenyn Leonce from St. Lucia. The Cowgirl jumpers added one with Erin Urbanoski from Craig, Colo.

Sparks comes to the ‘Pokes after a very successful 2009 season where he ended the year as the 5A state champion in both the shot put and discus throw. He also had his personal bests in both the shot put (59-feet, 1/2 inch) the discus (192-8), which is good for fifth all-time in Colorado history. Sparks is currently ranked 12th in the nation among high school discus throwers.

“Mark is a very fast and explosive athlete with a strong technical base,” said head throws coach Paul Barrett. “He has tremendous drive and determination that will allow him to excel at a high level in the collegiate ranks.

“With his athletic ability and speed, I believe Mark will be able to pick up the hammer and weight throw events quickly and be able to help in these events as well as the shot put and discus throw at the conference meet right away as a freshman. Obviously we are thrilled to sign such an elite level athlete with tremendous potential to bolster our throwing squad."

Leonce joins an already stacked jumping crew that is led by junior Jeremiah James, a fellow St. Mary’s College and St. Lucia native. Leonce was the 2007 Carifta 17 and under champion, as well as the 2009 Carifta 20 and under champion in the long jump. His personal best in the event is 24-3 which ranks seventh on UW’s all-time list.

“I believe Lenyn will come right in and be an instant contributor at a conference and regional level,” said head jump coach Quincy Howe. “Once he adjusts to some inevitable changes, he will also eventually be on the national stage as well.”

Urbanoski will head a very young Cowgirl jump crew that saw its only member graduate last season. She is a three-time 4A state champion in the long jump and had the best long jump of all girls in every division at the state meet. Her personal best of 19-3 ranks ninth on the UW all-time list, as well as having a very solid time in the 100-meter dash of 12.46 seconds.

“Erin is the type of quality student athlete that our jumping program is trying to attract,” said Howe. “Being a three-time state champion shows that Erin has a winning attitude and its precisely the attitude we try to foster here in the Gem City.”