University of Massachusets Athletics
Women's Track and Field Inks Seven to NLIs for 2017-18
December 14, 2016 | Women's Track & Field
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts women's track and field has signed seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, head coach Julie LaFreniere and associate head coach David Jackson announced on Wednesday. The group is comprised of two multi-eventers, two throwers and three middle distance runners, two of whom will also compete for the Minutewomen in cross country.
Kira Kopec - Multi - St. Joseph's HS, Alberta, Canada
Personal Bests:Â Heptathlon -Â Â 4462 | Shot Put - 40'11"
Coach Jackson on Kopec: "Kira will be a great addition to our heptathlon group as we expect her to contribute right away in multiple areas. Her addition will help us for many years to come."
Emma Jones -Â Multi - Benet Academy, IllinoisÂ
Personal Bests: 100h - 14.93 |  Long Jump- 17'10.5"
- Top-3 finisher in the IHSA 2A sectional meet in the 100 & 300H
Coach Jackson on Jones:  "Emma will be a strong addition to our hurdles, jumps, and multi's group. She's just beginning to put the pieces together, so I expect her to surprise a lot of people when she competes at UMass in 2018."
Lauren LaDere - Throws - Frankfort HS, Illinois
Personal Bests:Â Shot Put -Â 42'.05"
- Shot put 3A section champion
Coach Jackson on LaDere: "Lauren comes to us with a throwing pedigree, but is relatively new to track and field. She's a top thrower in the state so we expect her to be an impact thrower for our group when she arrives."
Danielle Notarfrancesco - Throws - Jackson Liberty HS, New Jersey
Personal Bests:Â Shot Put - 47'11" |Â Discus - 125'8" | Â Weight Throw - 49'3.5" | Hammer - 145'4"
- 2016 shot put sectional and groups champion
Coach Jackson on Notarfrancesco: "Danielle is a phenomenal young woman and very important addition to our throws group. We see her as an immediate impact at the conference, regional and national level. As the No. 2 returning shot putter in New Jersey for 2017, she is no stranger to high level competition, so we expect her to hit the circle at UMass with excitement in the 2018 season."Â
Colette O'Leary- XC/Mid-Distance -Â Milton HS, Massachusetts
Personal Bests:  XC - 18:09.38 |  600m - 1:34.52 |  800m - 2:11.71 | 1000m - 2:54.21 | Mile - 5:07.29Â
- 2016 Baystate champion in 600m and 800m
- Member of the Massachusetts state champion cross country team
 Coach LaFreniere on O'Leary: "Colette O'Leary will add to our depth in the middle distance group. Her range is impressive and she will continue to develop her speed and stamina. Colette's mental toughness will help the Minutewomen at our conference and regional levels for all three seasons."
Bryanna Rivers -Â Mid-Distance -Â Warton HS, Florida
Personal Bests: 400m -  57.75 | 800m - 2:11.87 |  1600m - 5:10.25
- Second in 800m at 2016 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
Coach LaFreniere on Rivers: "Bryanna Rivers is a formidable middle distance specialist. Bryanna's dedication and commitment will add to the team's winning culture. She has successfully competed at the state and national level in the 800m and will bring her talents to strong middle distance squad."
India Williams -Â XC/Mid-Distance -Â Queensland, Australia
Personal Bests: 800m - 2:12.62 | 1500m - 4:41.64
-  2016 800m Queensland Junior Champion
- Third in Australian National Junior Championships
Coach LaFreniere on Williams: "India Williams is a striking young Queenslander who is just hitting her stride in the 800m and 1500m. She will help the Minutewomen in the middle distances on the track and in cross country. At 6'-1", India is an imposing competitor who has national competition experience to bring to UMass."
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Kira Kopec - Multi - St. Joseph's HS, Alberta, Canada
Personal Bests:Â Heptathlon -Â Â 4462 | Shot Put - 40'11"
Coach Jackson on Kopec: "Kira will be a great addition to our heptathlon group as we expect her to contribute right away in multiple areas. Her addition will help us for many years to come."
Emma Jones -Â Multi - Benet Academy, IllinoisÂ
Personal Bests: 100h - 14.93 |  Long Jump- 17'10.5"
- Top-3 finisher in the IHSA 2A sectional meet in the 100 & 300H
Coach Jackson on Jones:  "Emma will be a strong addition to our hurdles, jumps, and multi's group. She's just beginning to put the pieces together, so I expect her to surprise a lot of people when she competes at UMass in 2018."
Lauren LaDere - Throws - Frankfort HS, Illinois
Personal Bests:Â Shot Put -Â 42'.05"
- Shot put 3A section champion
Coach Jackson on LaDere: "Lauren comes to us with a throwing pedigree, but is relatively new to track and field. She's a top thrower in the state so we expect her to be an impact thrower for our group when she arrives."
Danielle Notarfrancesco - Throws - Jackson Liberty HS, New Jersey
Personal Bests:Â Shot Put - 47'11" |Â Discus - 125'8" | Â Weight Throw - 49'3.5" | Hammer - 145'4"
- 2016 shot put sectional and groups champion
Coach Jackson on Notarfrancesco: "Danielle is a phenomenal young woman and very important addition to our throws group. We see her as an immediate impact at the conference, regional and national level. As the No. 2 returning shot putter in New Jersey for 2017, she is no stranger to high level competition, so we expect her to hit the circle at UMass with excitement in the 2018 season."Â
Colette O'Leary- XC/Mid-Distance -Â Milton HS, Massachusetts
Personal Bests:  XC - 18:09.38 |  600m - 1:34.52 |  800m - 2:11.71 | 1000m - 2:54.21 | Mile - 5:07.29Â
- 2016 Baystate champion in 600m and 800m
- Member of the Massachusetts state champion cross country team
 Coach LaFreniere on O'Leary: "Colette O'Leary will add to our depth in the middle distance group. Her range is impressive and she will continue to develop her speed and stamina. Colette's mental toughness will help the Minutewomen at our conference and regional levels for all three seasons."
Bryanna Rivers -Â Mid-Distance -Â Warton HS, Florida
Personal Bests: 400m -  57.75 | 800m - 2:11.87 |  1600m - 5:10.25
- Second in 800m at 2016 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
Coach LaFreniere on Rivers: "Bryanna Rivers is a formidable middle distance specialist. Bryanna's dedication and commitment will add to the team's winning culture. She has successfully competed at the state and national level in the 800m and will bring her talents to strong middle distance squad."
India Williams -Â XC/Mid-Distance -Â Queensland, Australia
Personal Bests: 800m - 2:12.62 | 1500m - 4:41.64
-  2016 800m Queensland Junior Champion
- Third in Australian National Junior Championships
Coach LaFreniere on Williams: "India Williams is a striking young Queenslander who is just hitting her stride in the 800m and 1500m. She will help the Minutewomen in the middle distances on the track and in cross country. At 6'-1", India is an imposing competitor who has national competition experience to bring to UMass."
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