Baylor track & field has added three members to its 2019 signing class, head coach Todd Harbour announced Thursday.
Mikayla Deshazer (throws), Briana Garcia (hurdles), and Lynn Mantingh (sprints) join seven othersannounced in November to give the Bears a signing class of 10 student-athletes.
“We are truly excited to add these three outstanding young ladies to the class that we have already signed several weeks ago,” Harbour said. “It was already an outstanding group, and with the addition of these three we feel like it is a class that will help us to continue to build a championship team.”
Deshazer is one of the top throwers in the country coming out of high school, as she is ranked No. 2 (discus) and No. 3 (shot put) in the nation by Mile Split. The Raytown, Mo., product (Lincoln College Prep High School) is a three-time Missouri state discus champion (2016-18) and won the 2018 Missouri state championship in the shot put. An AAU Junior Olympic Games Champion, Deshazer holds personal bests of 47-3.75 in the shot put and 159-10 in the discus.
“Through the recruiting process, I really enjoyed getting to know Mikayla and her family,” assistant coach Jeff Chakouian said. “She is one of the top throwers in the nation and was a perfect fit for Baylor. We want to welcome her to the Baylor family.”
Garcia comes to Baylor after competing on the UCF volleyball team in the fall of 2018. The Clear Falls, Texas (Clear Falls High School), native won the Texas 6A State Championship in the 300-meter hurdles as a high school senior, and was named track & field MVP as a sophomore. This past volleyball season, Garcia played in 90 sets for the Knights, starting six matches. She posted five double-digit kill matches and helped UCF finish with a 27-4 overall record, winning the AAC Conference title and earning the No. 13 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
“We are excited to add Briana to the team,” associate head coach Jon Capron said. “She will add valuable depth to the hurdle crew, and we plan to build on her high school success.”
Mantingh comes to Baylor from Switzerland, where she has recorded personal bests of 11.88 (outdoor 100 meters), 24.07 (outdoor 200 meters), 7.61 (indoor 60 meters), and 24.24 (indoor 200 meters). She won event championships seven times during indoor meets in 2018.
“Lynn is one of the top young sprinters in Switzerland, and has competed for their under-20 national team,” director of track & field Clyde Hart said.
Garcia will join the team in January as a midterm transfer, while Deshazer and Mantingh will arrive in August.
