"These are two great additions to our women’s program," said Jenkins. "Both of these young ladies have already performed at a level high enough to score in the Sun Belt Conference championships, and were recruited by schools from the SEC, Big 10 and Big East."
Sharika Smith, a native of Hickman, Ky., has captured 12 twelve KHSAA championships, one AAU national championship, and holds two Kentucky state records. Smith joins the WKU program from Fulton County High School and holds KHSAA records in both the triple jump and 200-meter dash. Last spring, she won the AAU national championship in the triple jump, leaping a personal-best 40-0 in the process. A talented athlete, Smith has personal bests of 7.15 seconds in the 55-meter dash, 12.17 seconds in the 100 meters, 24.82 in the 200 meters, 58.70 in the 400 meters, 18-1 in the long jump and 4-10 in the high jump.
"Sharika is one of the best sprinter/jumpers to come out of Kentucky," added Jenkins. "She is an outstanding athlete as evidenced by her numerous state titles, two state records, and national title in the triple jump. She can do so many events; it will be exciting to watch her develop over the years."
Jantelle McNeil, a native of St. Louis, Mo., will add depth to the Lady Topper roster in both the hurdles and multi-events. In 2007 as a junior prep at Hazelwood East High School, McNeil helped the Spartans to a runner-up team finish at the Missouri State Track and Field Championships, where she placed third in the 100-meter hurdles, fourth in the 300-meter hurdles, and was a member of the second-place 4x400-meter relay team. McNeil has also competed in the heptathlon in three national meets, placing fourth in the Great Southwest Classic with 4,212 points, 18th at the USA Junior Nationals with a personal-best of 4,383 points, and sixth at the AAU Junior Olympics with 4,364 points. She will bring personal bests of 14.50 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles, 45.23 in the 300-meter hurdles, and 1:03.24 in the 400-meter hurdles to the Hill in the fall.
"Jantelle will find herself in a familiar position in the multi events," Jenkins commented. "She has done well in several national-caliber high school heptathlons and will continue to get better in the hurdles. The fact that she has been a dual sport athlete and will compete in the most grueling event in women’s track is a testament to her character and work ethic."
Jenkins adds that "both of these student athletes will make a major impact on our program in the classroom and on the track. They have the common goal of continuing the success our team has enjoyed in the Sun Belt and helping to build the Lady Topper program to the national level."
