Four track prospects were signed to the men’s team this week after competing in the Illinois High School Association Tack and Field State Finals last month in O’Brien Stadium.

Tyler Carter, Reid Basting, Connor Kustief and Sean Wiggan signed national letters of intent to compete on men’s track team during the 2008-2009 academic year.

Carter, from Tuscola High School, is a jumper and hurdler. He was first in the long jump (22’9″) and in the 110-meter high hurdles (14.42). Carter also placed second in the triple jump (45’9″) and ran a leg on the 4 x 200-meter relay which placed fourth.

Men’s head track coach Tom Akers said that he’s been watching Carter perform for a while and perused him because of his multi-skill abilities.

“(Carter) also has the personality to mesh well with the team,” Akers said.

Middle distance runner Wiggan placed fourth in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:53.28. Assistant track coach and head men’s cross country coach Geoff Masanet recruited Wiggan primarily to run cross country.

“Wiggan is a big stud,” Masanet said. “He didn’t make state last year but was fourth in the 800.”

Kustief didn’t run at the state meet. The Dundee-Crown distance runner qualified for the 1,600-meter run with a 4:23 time. Kustief was the top runner on his team that finished 10 at the class 3A state championship.

Bastings, a Normal West High School graduate, competed in the 400-meter at the state competition. Akers said that Bastings competed at a small school so he is excited that the sprinter will practice with top Eastern athletes.

These four new signees join distance runners Matthew Feldhake and Jordan Patterson as the incoming freshmen. Both Feldhake and Patterson will also run cross country.

Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7942 or at [email protected].