Men’s Track & Field/XC Welcomes 17 Talented Newcomers

PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton University men's track & field and cross country coaching staff is excited to announce its incoming class of 17 incredibly accomplished student-athletes. William M. Weaver Jr. '34 Head Coach of Men's Track & Field Head Fred Samara, along with cross country head coach Jason Vigilante and sprints and hurdles coach Robert Abdullah, have recruited student-athletes from all over the world who will make up their group of newcomers.

"On behalf of the coaching staff, I am so pleased to welcome these outstanding young men to the Princeton family," said Samara. "This is one of the finest recruiting classes in the nation and they will be joining an already powerful and talented Princeton Track & Field team that has accomplished so much over the past four years. This year's graduating class of seniors never lost an Ivy-Heps Track & Field Championship, going 7-for-7. I believe the incoming class has a chance to equal that incredible record"

Zachary Bowness
St. Michael Catholic High School, Ontario
400m: 48.13
#2 ranked Canadian U20 runner in the 400m in 2019, Canadian Indoor & Outdoor 400m U18 Champion

Coach Comment: "Zachary Bowness was the number #2 ranked Canadian U20 runner for the 400m, with a personal best time of 48.13 in 2019. He was also the Canadian indoor and outdoor U18 Champion in the 400m. Even with his accomplishments, Zach has never had consistent training to help him realize his full potential. He is bright, organized and hardworking. With his work ethic, I have no doubt Zach will succeed at Princeton."

Why Princeton: "I had the pleasure of visiting Princeton back in September of 2019, and from that experience I learned that Princeton was the school that I wanted to attend. One of the first things I noticed about Princeton was the kindness that the students and faculty displayed towards my visiting group. They were always concerned about us, showed a lot of hospitality, and took great care to make sure my visit to Princeton was a positive experience. I appreciated being able to stay the night in the dorm, working out with a champion track team, and having a BBQ with prospective teammates. Another impressive thing about Princeton was the campus. It has a real mix of historic buildings and new construction, beautiful scenery, and statues. The picturesque town offers plenty of activities as well. Finally, it is one of the most prestigious schools in the world so, I knew that when I was finished my degree, I would have opportunities wherever I went. There are plenty of other reasons why I chose Princeton… but I feel like writing them all out would take longer than my senior thesis. I am looking forward to being a part of the class of 2024!"

William Cauley
Barrington High School, Rhode Island
Weight Throw: 71'6.5"
Hammer: 194'11"
Ranked #3 in the 35lb weight throw in Rhode Island and #11 in the US in 2020

Coach Comment: "William Cauley was ranked #3 in the 35lb weight throw in Rhode Island and #11 in the United States in 2020. In 2019, he was ranked #7 in Rhode Island and #41 in the US. His top marks are 71' 6.5" for the weight and 194' 11" for the hammer. William is viewed as one of the top hammer/weight throw prospects in the nation because he has shown great progress from his sophomore to the first half of his senior year. Improving a remarkable 23' 7" (48' 11.5" to 71' 6.5) in the weight throw, we can only imagine what William would have done in the hammer. The vast improvement was mainly due to the fact that he has never lifted weights before. With his added strength over the next few years, I can see tremendous improvement ahead for William."

Why Princeton: "For me, Princeton was a no brainer. No other school allows its students to receive a world class education while competing at the highest level of college athletics. The team's long history of success speaks for itself. I know my teammates, coaches, and new friends will push me to levels that I never thought possible. I can't wait to spend the next four years at Princeton!"

William Doyle
Stewart's Melville College, Scotland
400m: 48.10
Scotland's 2019 400m indoor champion, 4^th at the outdoor national championship

Coach Comment: "William (Billy) Doyle is one of the top 400m runners in Scotland and the United Kingdom. His best 400m time is 48.10. Billy represented the UK at the U20 European Championships in 2019. He was Scotland's 2019 400m indoor champion and finished 4^th at the outdoor national championships. Billy is well organized, a hard worker and a dedicated student-athlete. Everything leads me to believe he will be a star at Princeton, on and off the track. Billy will represent Princeton University with class and integrity."

Why Princeton: "Princeton for me provides a truly unique opportunity to be a part of a highly acclaimed, first class track team, whilst be pushed to maximize my academic potential. I really like the undergraduate - focus Princeton offers, along with being able to learn from global leading experts in my chosen field. Moreover, the opportunity to be coached by a nationally acclaimed coaching team, in outstanding facilities alongside a group of 400m boys with huge potential is one I couldn't ever turn down."

Daniel Duncan
North Plainfield High School, New Jersey
100m: 10.54
200m: 21.35
Ranked #2 in New Jersey in the 100m & 200m

Coach Comment: "Daniel Duncan has national class abilities. His track times of 10.54 and 21.35 will make him one of the best sprinters in the Ivy League. He was ranked #2 in the state of New Jersey in the 100m and 200m. He is also a top-40 performer in the United States (2019). Without a doubt, Daniel would be the perfect fit for Princeton University. He was ranked #1 academically at his school. He is a model student with excellent character, excellent grades, and one of the best athletes in New Jersey and the US. He will be an asset on and off the track."

Why Princeton: "Princeton's track and field program is full of winners on and off the track. The team itself possesses a family atmosphere and offers top notch coaching and amenities for athletes. And of course, the education is world class. I am coming to Princeton because I know it's the place that will get the best out of me. Needless to say, I'm ecstatic to join the Princeton family!"

Matthew Farrell
Loomis Chaffee School, Connecticut
3000m: 8:20.01
5000m: 14:28.63
2x Foot Locker National Qualifier, All-American as a senior finishing 13^th place, National High School #1 3000m and 5000m indoors as a senior, 3x NEPSTA D1 Cross Country Champion.

Coach Comment: "Matt is focused on being a great student-athlete and his commitment to hard work has already shown outstanding results. With the fastest high school indoor times in the country under his belt I think there's no question that he will be a contributor to our program very soon."

Why Princeton: "After going on my official visit, it was clear that the team chemistry and support systems at Princeton both foster an environment where I can reach my full academic and athletic potential. The healthy balance between academics and athletics at Princeton was exactly what I was looking for in a college and I am excited to see what the future holds as a Tiger."

Joe Fast
Ridgemont High School, Ontario
800m: 1:55.04
1500m: 3:52.42
OFSAA Junior boys 1500m champion, 2x Canadian U20 1500m finalist, 2x Provincial Cross Country Champion, Student body president.

Coach Comment: "With a name like Joe Fast, I'm really excited to coach this talented young man. Joe ran a fantastic 3:52 1500m as a junior and I believe he will develop into an outstanding miler here at Princeton."

Why Princeton: "Princeton's success on the track and in cross-country, its team environment and the tremendous coaching makes it the ideal place to improve as a runner. In addition, the combination of athletic and academic excellence is unparalleled to any other university."

Sondre Guttormsen
UCLA Transfer
PV: 19' ¼"
2019 MPSF Indoor Champion, Second Team All-American at NCAA Indoor & Outdoor Championships in 2019, Pac-12 Outdoor Champion, Norwegian Record Holder

Coach Comment: "We are very excited to have Sondre join our championship program. Sondre brings world class credentials to Princeton. With a personal best of 19' ¼" he will not only vie for NCAA Championship honors but also a Tokyo Olympic podium finish in 2021."

Why Princeton: "From my brothers' experience at Princeton, I've learned that Princeton's track team is made up of dedicated student-athletes that put in maximum effort both in the classroom and on the track. I am excited to be a part of this team spirit and winning attitude, as well as having the chance to be a part of a community that I can give back to as an athlete and teammate during and after my undergraduate experience. I believe that Princeton will not only let me continue pursuing my goal of winning an Olympic medal, but help me in the process."

Jordan Kaplan
Monroe Township High School, New Jersey
400m: 49.00
800m: 1:52.10
New Jersey outdoor state runner-up in the 800m as a junior, NJ Group 4 State Champion 800m, Group 4 State Sectional champion 800m as a sophomore and junior, Greater Middlesex Conference scholar-athlete award.

Coach Comment: "One of the most exciting things about Jordan is that he is a gifted athlete who has performed at a high-level. Jordan grew up just 30 minutes away from campus and I can't wait to get started training him to be a champion."

Why Princeton: "I chose Princeton because I love the ambience of the campus and admire the dynamics of the Track and Cross Country teams. On my visit last fall, I appreciated how supportive the staff and students were towards me. This positive surrounding will produce the environment for me to succeed both academically and athletically."

Philip Kastner
St. Paul's School, United Kingdom
Heptathlon: 5165
Decathlon: 6692
3^rd best U20 heptathlete & 5^th best U20 decathlete

Coach Comment: "Philip Kastner was the 5^th best U20 decathlete with a score of 6,692 and the #3 best U20 heptathlete with a score of 5165. He is one of the top multi-event athletes recruited in the Ivy League over the past 20 years. Philip possesses the size, speed and commitment to be an Ivy League champion and an NCAA All-American. The most thrilling part about Philip is that he is a neophyte in the multis, with many of the skills it takes to be a top-level athlete. Philip has received tremendous interest from all the Ivy League schools, as well as numerous scholarship programs, but to my delight, Philip had a strong desire to be at Princeton."

Why Princeton: "Princeton has always stood out to me as an ideal blend of academic rigor and institutionalized athletic success. Having been lucky enough to visit the school, I quickly realized that the kind and considerate athletes, coaches and support staff who make up the Princeton team build a camaraderie that seems to be truly special. I am grateful for the opportunity to train under the experienced hand of Coach Samara and hope to continue Princeton's tradition of success for the next four years!"

Jack Kenkel
Niwot High School, Colorado
400m: 51.97
800m: 1:53.80
As a junior placed 4th at the Colorado State Championships in the 800m and anchored 4x400 to win, member of state championship cross country and track and field teams.

Coach Comment: "Jack was a late add to our program and I'm so excited about how well he ran as a junior in the 800 and 4x400. Jack anchored his 4x400 team to a state championship and I believe he has a great deal of upside."

Why Princeton: "I chose Princeton because it combines excellent academics and outstanding athletics. I'm excited to join the team. Go Tigers!"

Jarrett Kirk
Flower Mound High School, Texas
3200m:            9:07.56
5000m:            14:40.95
Texas State Cross Country Champion, 2x Nike Cross Country National qualifier.

Coach Comment: "As a sophomore, Jarrett was the Texas large schools cross country champion. This is a huge achievement and I believe once he gets to campus he will make an immediate impact for us. Jarrett comes from an outstanding high school program."

Why Princeton: "I chose Princeton because of the great academic opportunities and the awesome cross country team. I won Nike regionals for the south as a junior and I'm so excited that I am joining Camren Fischer and Anthony Monte who also qualified with me that year."

Albert Kreutzer
ISR Neuss, Germany
60m Hurdles: 7.95
110m Hurdles: 14.11
German U20 Indoor Championship Runner-Up in the 60m Hurdles in 2020, German U20/U16 Outdoor Team Championship Runner-Up in the 110 Hurdles in 2019.

Coach Comment: "Albert Kreutzer has the ability to be a national class hurdler in the United States and a national champion in Germany. He finished 2^nd at the German U20 Indoor Championship in 2020 and was the fifth-fastest U20 hurdler in Germany. He also finished 2^nd at the German U20/U16 Team Championship in Berlin in July 2019 for the 110m hurdles. Albert's best marks are 7.95 for the 60m hurdles and 14.11 for the 110m hurdles. His development has been amazing. Until 2019, Albert had only run 7 races, in 4 seasons (2 indoor and 2 outdoor). He is a very talented athlete and I believe he will have an immediate impact in the Ivy League."

Why Princeton: "I felt like it was the right place for me to be. From the first time I talked to the track and field coaches, I felt the open, welcoming arms of the university. Since then, everything I learned about the university and every person I talked to bolstered this impression of a kind and supportive environment, not only from sides of the faculties or the other staff but also from the students. For me, it was an easy decision to select this open and unique community and I am looking forward to the experiences I will make and the people I will meet at one of the best universities in the world."

Miko Maessner
Kearney High School, Nebraska
100m: 10.60
200m: 21.48
2019 Nebraska State Champion in the 100m & 200m

Coach Comment: "Miko Maessner is a welcomed addition to our sprints crew. He was the 2019 Nebraska State Champion in the 100 and 200m with personal best times of 10.60 and 21.48. A multi-sport student-athlete (track/football), Miko brings and adds to our team culture. He makes this incoming first year class strong and exciting. Adding Miko to our current team, our sprinters have a bright future."

Why Princeton: "I chose Princeton because of the atmosphere. I love to push myself and I know that Princeton University will help me reach my goals. As soon as I set foot on campus I knew it was home."

Anthony Monte
Vandegrift High School, Texas
3200m: 9:03.61
5000m: 14:39.29
Texas State 6A Cross Country Runner-Up, 2x Nike Cross Country National qualifier, 12^th place as a senior.

Coach Comment: "Last fall Anthony was one of the best high school cross country runners in America. He was the Texas large schools runner up and finished 12th at Nike Nationals. Anthony is an accomplished runner on the track and I'm so excited to see his aggressive racing style."

Why Princeton: "I wanted to find a place that I could push myself as an athlete and as a student in a unique way. When I came to Princeton I was not only greeted with an environment that perfectly fits that description but also an amazing and welcoming team that I was excited to become a part of. I was blown away by the team's positive culture as well as everything that the university had to offer. It didn't take long before I realized I was meant to become a Tiger."

Daniel O'Brien
Virginia Episcopal School, Virginia
1600m: 4:14.53
3200m: 9:07.85
2x Foot Locker National Qualifier, 2x Foot Locker All-American finishing 7^th place a senior. 2x Virginia Gatorade XC Player of the Year, and 17 private school states championship titles.

Coach Comment: "Daniel is a two time Foot Locker national finals All American and one of the top high school athletes in the US. He comes from a family of distance runners and I believe he will be well prepared to make the transition this fall."

Why Princeton: "In addition to having some of the most prestigious academic programs in the world, Princeton offers tremendously successful cross-country and track programs. The combination of great coaching, along with a focused and dedicated team, made it clear Princeton was the best place for me to achieve my goals academically and athletically."

Kaden Reynolds
Aliso Niguel High School, California
100m: 10.70
200m: 22.10
Ranked #7 in California in the 100m in 2019

Coach Comment: "Kaden Reynolds has the potential to be an elite sprinter. In 2019, he was ranked number #7 in California for the 100m. His best marks are 10.70 for the 100m, 22.10 for the 200m. Kaden was injured his sophomore year in high school after only running 2 races, so 2019 was his first full season of competition. With no indoor track in California, I believe with consistent training, Kaden will be an all-time great at Princeton."

Why Princeton: "To be honest, I consider it an honor to call myself a Tiger. My primary focus in choosing a college was to be able to continue my journey as a track athlete and scholar. However, I also hoped for an environment that allows me to meet diverse people from around the world, to explore new places and cultures, and to open my mind to novel ideas and perspectives. Princeton's history of academic excellence alone is reason enough, but its nine triple-crown track titles did not go unnoticed either. Here, I will have the opportunity to enter an intellectual and athletic atmosphere that will not only push the boundaries of my knowledge but my physicality as well. I look forward to what lies ahead and am excited to join my teammates this fall."

Ladislav Töpfer
Gymnasium Dr. Josefa Pekare, Czech Republic
100m: 10.75
200m: 21.68
400m: 47.34
3^rd fastest U20 400m runner in the Czech Republic, U20 Czech Republic National Championship Runner-Up, National Junior Record holder in the 4x400m relay.

Coach Comment: "Ladislav Töpfer is very motivated to fulfill his dream of receiving the best education while competing at the highest level in athletics. As an athlete, Ladislav is the 3^rd fastest U20 400m runner in the Czech Republic. A versatile sprinter, his best marks are 10.75 for the 100m, 21.68 for the 200m and 47.34 for the 400m. In 2019, Ladislav Töpfer was the runner-up at the U20 Czech Republic National Championship. He represented the Czech Republic at the U20 European Championships running the 400m and the 4x400m relay. Running lead-off for the 4x400m relay, Ladislav won a silver medal at the championships. In addition to the medal, his team set a National Junior Record running 3:08.50."

Why Princeton: "In my home country, it is very difficult to combine both academics and athletics and most people have to eventually sacrifice one or the other to some extent. That is why I decided to choose Princeton as it gives me the opportunity to keep working on my athletic career while still getting the best possible education. After visiting the beautiful campus and meeting my future teammates I knew Princeton would be a great fit for me."

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