ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State head women's cross country and track and field coach Tim Langford announced Thursday the signing of eight athletes who will compete for the Lady Bulldogs in the 2014-15 seasons.
 
Payton Ashe, Jyana Crosby, Myia Darby, Jasmyne Jones, Jenae Jones, Jennell Jones, Biqualia Scott and Kionna Walker will bolster the Lady Bulldog rosters for the upcoming athletic year.
 
Ashe (Sprints/Jumps/Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville HS) is a multi-event athlete who runs the 100 meters to 400 meters and does the long and high jumps. During her prep career, she repeatedly qualified for the Florida High School AAA State Championship in the 200 meters, 400 meters and the long jump.
 
Personal Records: 100m: 12.49; 200m: 24.98; 400m: Long jump: 18'4½"; High jump: 5'0".
 
Langford on Ashe: "Payton will provide us with versatility that will help greatly in our efforts to contend for a MEAC Championship."
 
 
Crosby (Sprints/Columbia, S.C./Keenan High School) won the South Carolina AAA State Championship titles in the 100m and 200m as a senior in 2014. She was coached by SC State alumnae and former Lady Bulldog track and field athlete Veronica Satchell at Keenan HS.
 
Personal Records: 100m: 12.36; 200m: 25.53
 
Langford on Crosby: "Jyana will make an immediate impact in the short sprints and compete for a position on the relay teams."
 
 
Darby (Throws/Greenville, S.C./Southside High School) earned All-Region honors in the shot put and discus while competing for Southside HS. While at SHS, she qualified for the state championship in the discus and also played on the girls basketball team.
 
Personal Records: Shot put: 32'9"; Discus: 105'9 ½"
 
Langford on Darby: "Myia will be a great addition to the roster who will be a solid contributor in the throwing events."
 
 
Jazmyne Jones (Distance/Lancaster, S.C./Lancaster High School) is one of the three Jones sisters to sign with SC State. Jazmyne had a successful cross country career at Lancaster High School during which time she qualified for the South Carolina State Championship three times.
Personal Record: 5000m: 20:40.84
 
Langford on Jazmyne Jones: "Jazmyne will be a strong competitor and a top-five runner during cross country season. We will also look for her to thrive in the long distance events during the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons."
 
 
Jenae Jones (Distance/Lancaster, S.C./Lancaster High School) was a four-time cross country State Championship qualifier at Lancaster HS.
 
Personal Records: 800m: 2:26.97; 1600m: 5:33.30; 5000m 1:43.22
 
Langford on Jenae Jones: "We are looking for Jenae to use her range in the distance events to assist her sisters in helping to turn the tide for cross country and distance running here at SC State."
 
 
Jennell Jones (Distance/Lancaster, S.C./Lancaster High School) competes in the 800m up to the 5000m and is also a four-time cross country qualifier at the State Championship.
 
Personal Records: 800m: 2:35.17; 1600m: 5:39.82; 5000m 20:28.55
 
Langford on Jennell Jones: "Jennell will be an immediate top-five cross country runner and will be a contender in the mid- and long-distance races during the indoor and outdoor seasons."
 
 
Scott (Throws/Taylors, S.C./Eastside High School) won the South Carolina AAA Region 2 discus title her junior and senior years and finished second in the shot put as a senior. At the state championship her junior year, she placed second in the discus and eighth in the shot put. As a senior this year, she turned in a fourth-place finish in the discus at the state championship.
 
Personal Records: Shot put: 35'11"; Discus: 128'9"; Javelin: 102'1"
 
Langford on Scott: "We are expecting Biqualia to make an immediate impact in the throwing circle by assisting veteran throwers Celeste Taylor and Deja Jackson and sophomore standout Victoria Merriweather."
 
 
Walker (Sprints/Augusta, Ga./Laney High School) placed third in the 200m and fourth in the 100m at the 2014 Georgia AA Championship. She is a two-time Georgia High School AA State Championship qualifier in both the 100m and 200m.
 
Personal Records: 100m: 12.27; 200m: 25.55
 
Langford on Walker: Kionna will add to the depth of the sprinters. She will be an immediate threat in the short sprints and a contributor on the relay teams."