Senior Week 2020: Track & Field

In honor of Senior Week, Anderson University is recognizing the 2020 senior classes for the spring sports. The fourth feature recognizes track and field seniors Casey Bell, Emily Kelley, Amy Leatherman, Kennedy Watters, Kaid Hutchinson, Zharquan White, Alphonso Blackwell, Isaiah Lockhart, Mariah Murray and Ian Leatherman.

Casey Bell – Stilesville, Ind. – Cascade HS

Major: Nursing

Career Bio: Casey raced to PRs of 9.46 seconds in the 60-meter dash, 11.17 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles and 31.49 seconds in the 200 during the indoor season as a junior. She then sprinted to outdoor PRs of 19.55 seconds in the 100 hurdles and 31.92 seconds in the 200. Casey earned academic all-conference honors as a junior.

Favorite Memory: Casey's favorite memory was being a part of the team.

Plans After Graduation: She will be working in the NICU at St. Vincent in Indianapolis.

"All I can say is Casey Bell....hilariously hilarious," Coach Sol Stephens said.

Emily Kelley – Indianapolis, Ind. – Ben Davis HS

Major: Elementary Education

Career Bio: During indoor track and field, Emily put together lifetime PRs of 9.70 meters (31 feet, 10 inches) in the shot put and 13.63 meters (44 feet, 8.75 inches) in the weight throw. In her senior season, Emily took eighth place in the weight throw during the HCAC Indoor Championships with a distance of 13.15 meters (43 feet, 1.75 inches).

During outdoor track and field, Emily turned in lifetime PRs of 39.34 meters (129 feet, 1 inch) in the hammer throw, 26.72 meters (87 feet, 8 inches) in the discus throw and 9.67 meters (31 feet, 8.75 inches) in the shot put. Emily received academic all-HCAC honors as a junior and senior.

Favorite Memory: Her favorite memory was meeting her husband along many other lifelong friends.

Plans After Graduation: Emily got a job as a fifth-grade English teacher on the East side of Indianapolis.

"I met Kells on the first day of class freshman year and got her to come out to throw with us," Coach Stephens said. "She hasn't looked back since. I'm hoping she can find her way on a coaching staff while she's empowering the youth of tomorrow in school."

Kennedy Watters – New Haven, Ind. – New Haven HS

Major: Accounting

Career Bio: Kennedy has spent the last three seasons as a manager for the Ravens.

Plans After Graduation: Kennedy is going to work in Accounting in the Indianapolis area.

Amy Leatherman – Fishers, Ind. – Hamilton Southeastern HS

Major: Elementary Education

Career Bio: Amy has spent the last four seasons as an office assistant for the Ravens.

Plans After Graduation: Amy is going to be an elementary school teacher in the Indianapolis area.

"Amy Leatherman and Kennedy Watters have served as my managers/office managers/assistant coaches/standup comedians at times and they will be missed more than they know," Coach Stephens said.

Kaid Hutchinson – Pendleton, Ind. – Pendleton Heights HS

Majors: Accounting and Finance

Career Bio: Kaid has contributed to two wins and a second-place finish in the DMR. He has also contributed to two second-place finishes in the 4x400 relay. During his indoor track and field career, Kaid put together PRs of 2:10.18 in the 800, 1:33.67 in the 600, 56.74 seconds in the 400 and 26.20 seconds in the 200.

In outdoor track and field, Kaid posted career PRs of 4:41.58 in the 1,500, 2:12.26 in the 800, 54.72 seconds in the 400 and 24.86 seconds in the 200. Kaid earned academic all-conference recognition as a sophomore.

Favorite Memory: His favorite memory was racing against the coaches in the 4x400 relay.

Plans After Graduation: Kaid plans to pursue an MBA at Anderson University.

"Kaid has been the calm or the humor in every storm," Coach Stephens said. "He battled back from a severe health scare seasons ago to just keep working at his craft and that work ethic will propel him to greatness in his life."

Zharquan White – Kokomo, Ind. – Kokomo HS

Career Bio: During his indoor track and field career, Zharquan provided PRs of 12.99 meters (42 feet, 7.5 inches) in the weight throw and 10.54 meters (34 feet, 7 inches) in the shot put. He also debuted a time of 8.99 seconds in the 60-meter dash during the final meet of his career. During his outdoor track and field career, Zharquan turned in PRs of 37.01 meters (121 feet, 5 inches) in the hammer throw, 35.09 meters (115 feet, 1.5 inches) in the discus throw and 29.58 meters (97 feet, 0.5 inches) in the javelin throw.

"Z has grown into a good young man," Coach Stephens said. "From his start to where he is today, makes me proud and encouraged for his future."

Alphonso Blackwell – Gary, Ind. – Merrillville HS

Majors: Cinema Media Arts and Journalism

Career Bio: During indoor track and field, Alphonso tossed career bests of 10.15 meters (33 feet, 3.5 inches) in the shot put and 11.02 meters (36 feet, 2 inches) in the weight throw. For outdoor track and field, he contributed career PRs of 27.32 meters (89 feet, 7 inches) in the discus and 10.05 meters (32 feet, 11.75 inches) in the shot put.

Favorite Memories: Alphonso's favorite memories are getting engaged on campus and competing in football and track and field.

Plans After Graduation: His plans after graduation are to make money and get back to being active on YouTube.

"Alphonso is the vocal leader of the group," Coach Stephens said. "Alphonso was the needed locker room powerhouse for the team and I can't wait to see him on a sideline somewhere on Friday nights."

Isaiah Lockhart – Indianapolis, Ind. – Crispus Attucks HS

Career Bio: Isaiah joined the Ravens for the indoor season this year. He contributed to a second-place finish in the 4x200 during the HCAC Championships. Isaiah raced to PRs of 24.58 seconds in the 200 and 7.49 seconds in the 60-meter dash.

"New to the team after seasons with basketball, Zeke and Malik came in and worked hard while transitioning re-learning an old sport of theirs," Coach Stephens said. "Their work ethics and arguments about basketball were phenomenal in our short time."

Ian Leatherman – Fishers, Ind. – Hamilton Southeastern HS

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Career Bio: Ian received all-HCAC honors during the indoor season as a sophomore, junior and senior. During the indoor conference meets, Ian finished third in the 3,000 as a sophomore and then put together third-place finishes in the 5,000 as a junior and senior. Ian won the 3,000 during the UIndy Season Opener as a senior to captured the HCAC Track Athlete of the Week.

During his career, Ian has provided five first-place finishes, five second-place finishes and six third-place finishes. In relay races, he has contributed to two first-place finishes and five second-place finishes.

Ian has earned academic all-conference recognition as a sophomore, junior and senior. He was also the HCAC Christopher M. Ragsdale Sportsmanship recipient.

Favorite Memory: Ian's favorite memory was beating the coaches in the 4x400 relay.

Plans After Graduation: He is looking at enrolling in the master's program at Anderson University or getting a mechanical engineering job in the Indianapolis area.

Mariah Murray – Indianapolis, Ind. – Bishop Chatard HS

Majors: Global Business and Spanish

Career Bio: Combined indoor and outdoor track and field, Mariah has earned all-HCAC honors seven times, including first-team honors three times. She has captured the conference high jump title three times. Mariah garnered USTFCCCA all-region honors in the high jump five times. She was also selected as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Individual during the outdoor season in her junior year.

In addition to the high jump, Mariah has medaled at the conference meet in the 100 and 200. During the conference meet as an individual, Mariah has earned three first-place finishes, five second-place finishes and three third-place finishes. She also contributed to a second-place finish in the 4x400 during the outdoor conference meet in her junior season. Mariah was named the HCAC Field Athlete of the Week in her senior season after winning the high jump and tying the facility record during the Coach Rob NCAC/OAC/HCAC Challenge. She also earned academic all-HCAC recognition as a senior.

As an individual, Mariah has won 21 career events, captured second place 16 times and earned third place 12 times. She has also contributed to six relay wins and five second-place finishes in relays.

Favorite Memory: Her favorite memory was the team bonding competitions, which included a spelling bee, relays with the throwers and a hula-hoop contest.

Plans After Graduation: Mariah plans to enroll in the master's program at Anderson University.

"There are not enough words to share the commitment and desire to improve the Raven running programs over these past four years to describe my feelings about Ian and Mariah," Coach Stephens said. "They have grown to give All-American effort and leadership for the Program that will be hard to replace."

The 2020 senior class has massively contributed to the program and will continue to make an impact on society.

"I love, respect and will miss the group wholeheartedly," Coach Stephens said. "They will be great productive Ravens with their faith in God while serving in the community and families."