Meet the Women's Track & Field Newcomers

PHILADELPHIA – The Temple women's track and field roster will feature eleven newcomers for the 2016-2017 season – walk-on Re'ona Pettway, sophomore transfer Cortlyn Raynes, and freshmen Madison Beecher, Keion Greenhow, Millie Howard, Ebonee Jackson, Grace Moore, Caitlin O'Brien, Imani Peterson, Mariah Slade, and Jazmyne Williams.

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As a walk-on in her junior year at Temple, Pettway has not competed in track and field since high school, but is no stranger to the Philadelphia track community. A member of the Hackensack High School track and field team, she ran the 4x100 and 4x200 earning a spot on Penn Relays team and the Bergen Country Championship team and in 2014. Pettway earned a number of awards at Hackensack including Female Athlete of the Year.

Coach Forde on Pettway: "We kept Re'ona on to see her grow. We see certain qualities in her that we could help transfer into a more competitive level of track & field. This is the second time she tried out for our team which proves her determination and that makes all the difference to us."

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A javelin specialist, Raynes will add diversity to the team's competition. While at her previous school, Ithaca College, she was named the Empire 8 and NY State champion in javelin. In high school, Raynes was a district and state qualifier in javelin as a member of the Colombia County Christian track and field team. She was also a regional and state qualifier in gymnastics. At Temple, she is majoring in kinesiology and pre-health.

Coach Forde on Raynes: "Cortlyn is a hard worker and very determined. I don't think anyone on our team that can outwork her in terms of her effort."

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As a senior at Dunwoody High School, Beecher served as team captain and earned MVP honors for her efforts in the 200m and the 400m. At Temple, she is majoring in sports management.

Coach Forde on Beecher: "Once Madison finds her way and becomes to feel more comfortable running at this level of competition, we will definitely see the benefits she can bring to our program."

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Greenhow was a four-year letter winner at Patrick Henry High School for track and field. This year, she will be competing in the multis.

Coach Forde on Greenhow: "Keion is a very hard worker. Her work ethic will help her overcome some of the shortcomings that she might face. She has great determinations and leadership qualities that will help our team gel together. The multi events are a whole different challenge altogether, but she has the right attitude and mindset to work towards being a contender in those events."

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Howard, an Britain native, joins Temple track and field coming off of her first cross country season. Back at home, she was the Yorkshire Country Under-20 1500m champion and the English Schools' girl's national champion in the 800m.

Coach Forde on Howard: "Out of all of our incoming freshman this year, the person that comes in with the largest set of credentials of success is Millie Howard. I think we will see some special things from her strengths in the 800m and 1500m during the track season. I'm excited to see her first race and I know she is excited too. Her dedication will definitely help us raise the bar for our program."

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Jackson's accolades include all-league and all-county honors, as well as a two-time NJSIAA Group 4 Sectional champion. She will be a sprinter and hurdler for the temple track and field program this season.

Coach Forde on Jackson: "At the beginning, Ebonee lacked confidence, but as training has gone on, she has gotten better and better in her ability to focus and trust in her training."

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Moore was a top-scorer for temple women's cross country in her first season as an Owl. The freshman earned all-state honors and set school records in every individual distance event at her alma mater. She is expected to continue her success in distance events during the indoor and outdoor seasons.

Coach Forde on Moore: "What Grace has done in her first cross country season as an Owl speaks volumes on the kind of success she will be able to have during our indoor and outdoor seasons."

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O'Brien competed in four races with Owls during cross country season. As a senior at Jackson Memorial, she earned the title of Ocean County
Champion and was a state groups qualifier three years in a row.

Coach Forde on O'Brien: "Caitlin will focus on the longer races (3K, 5K, 10K) for the team and although it will be a challenge for her as a freshman, we expect in future years to reap the benefits of her competing at these distances. It is a big adjustment coming from high school to be a standout right from the start."

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Peterson earned all-conference honors three consecutive years and broke school records in the 400m, 200m, and 100m during her time at Overbrook High School.

Coach Forde on Peterson: "Imani is a fine addition that will help us in the 200 & 400 and the 4 x 400 relay. She is very athletic and could also put some time in the long jump. I expect some toughness from her during the course of the year."

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During her high school years, Slade ran track at Salem Academy and earned MVP all four years for her efforts in the 100m and 200m. This year, the program will count on her for short sprints 60m, 100m, and 200m events.

Coach Forde on Slade: "After seeing her run for the first time, I knew she had the potential to be a great division athlete. She had all the tools. So far she has adapted quite well to collegiate-level training.

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Williams earned all-state, all-region, and district champion honors for two consecutive years at Oakton High School. Initially, she came to Temple on an academic scholarship, but realized she wanted to continue to pursue track & field.

Coach Forde on Williams: "Jazmyne is a unique find. She is very confident in herself and enjoys what she does; as a coach, you cannot ask for anything more than that. She has set the bar quite high for herself and it is my responsibility to really push her and help her achieve those goals."