Sept. 4, 2009 - The Hillsdale College men's and women's track and field program has spent the past several seasons upgrading the depth and talent levels on the team through some outstanding recruiting. This fall, the Charger teams will welcome another talent-rich class to the college. Biographical sketches on each new member of the team appear below.

Erin Benjamin (Chelsea, MI/Chelsea HS)
Five-time All-State selection…..Won regional championships in the 100m Dash and 200m Dash during her high school career…..Earned the prestigious MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award, in addition to being named one of the Top 10 Student-Athletes in the State of Michigan by the Detroit Free Press.….Served as Class President throughout high school.
Coach Andy Towne on Erin:
“Erin Benjamin will surprise a lot of people. Much like Becky Caywood, she has been ‘covered up’ by relays- she hasn’t been able to compete individually on a regular basis. Erin could develop into an elite sprinter during her time here at Hillsdale.”


Kayla Caldwell (Tuscarawas, OH/Indian Valley HS)
Holds the Ohio State Record in the Pole Vault at 12’ 9”…..3-time OHSAA State Champion…..12-time All-Ohio selection…..Holds personal bests of 12.41 and 25.41 in the 100m Dash and 200m Dash, respectively…..Member of the National Honor Society and the Honors Choir.
Coach Andy Towne on Kayla:
“Kayla is a tremendously explosive athlete. And, even though she has accomplished a lot in her high school career, I believe there is still more that she can do. She should make an immediate impact for us at the national level.”


Becky Caywood (Rockford, MI/Rockford HS)
Member of State Champion 4x100m Relay Team during her senior season…..3-time All-State selection…..Holds a personal best of 58.9 in the 400m Dash…..Member of National Honor Society.
Coach Andy Towne on Becky:
“Becky may be a diamond-in-the-rough for us. She has been an important part of her high school’s relay teams, but that has also kept her from performing more individually. She could develop into a very valuable long sprinter for us.”


Ryan Cook (Findlay, OH/Liberty Benton HS)
Earned All-Ohio honors twice in his career, including a state championship in the 4x100m Relay…..Holds personal bests of 14.51 in the 110m High Hurdles, and over 21’ in the Long Jump, although his senior season was cut short by injury…..Also earned All-State honors as a receiver in football…..His football team competed in the State Championship during his final season…..Graduated with honors.
Coach Andy Towne on Ryan:
“Ryan will be a great addition for us. His senior season was cut short due to injury, but his best days are in front of him. He is a great all-around athlete.”

Francesca Frasier (Coquille, OR/Southwestern Oregon CC)
Earned three All-American honors during her career at Southwestern Oregon Community College, with two of those honors coming in her specialty, the steeplechase…..Member of the Dean’s List or the Honor Roll in each of her semesters at Southwestern…..Graduated from high school at the age of 16, as she finished high school in just two years.
Coach Sarah Hinkley on Francesca:
“Francesca will make immediate contributions to our team-especially on the track. She is a tremendous leader, and a tremendous competitor. I’m anxious to watch her develop over the next couple of years.”


Cat Humphries (Batavia, OH/Archbishop McNicholas)
2-time State Champion, earning titles in both the 100m Dash and 200m Dash…..Also earned two runner-up honors, as well…..Holds personal bests of 11.95 in the 100m Dash and 24.74 in the 200m Dash…..2-time Cincinnati Enquirer Athlete-of-the-Year…..Member of her school’s National Honor Society and Honor Roll.
Coach Andy Towne on Cat:
“Cat is a tremendous talent. We feel she has the ability to be one of the top sprinters in school history. She should make an immediate impact on our conference and national meets.”


Paige Lillo (Littleton, CO/Dakota Ridge HS)
One of the top distance runners in talent-laden Colorado…..Helped her team to the National Meet in Cross Country during her senior season….Specializes in the longer distances…..Earned Academic All-State honors during her senior season.
Coach Sarah Hinkley on Paige:
“We are very excited about Paige, and the impact she will have on our distance group- especially in cross country. She is an extremely strong, extremely competitive and extremely motivated runner. She will make her way to the front of the GLIAC in short order.”


Sarah Seeland (Minnetonka, MN/Minnetonka HS)
Member of both her school’s Cross Country and Track teams throughout her high school career…..Served as captain of her Track team during her final campaign…..Was awarded the Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year award in her senior season.
Coach Jeff Forino on Sarah:
“Sara is a raw talent in the jumps. I am looking forward to working with her for the next few years and watching her develop in the triple jump. I believe that she will be a big factor for us at the conference level.”


Andi Yancho (Grand Blanc, MI/Grand Blanc HS)
Competed in the High Jump for Team Michigan in the 2009 Midwest Meet of Champions…..Owns a career-best of 5’ 6” in the High Jump…..Won a regional championship in the High Jump during her final season…..Will be utilized as a multi-event athlete, as well…..Member of her school’s National Honor Society.
Coach Jeff Forino on Andi:
“We are excited to have Andi join the team this year. She has shown great skill in the high jump and she has shown potential as a multi-event athlete. I’m excited to begin working with her.”