Nov. 21, 2006
ATLANTA – The Georgia Tech men’s track and field team signed two recruits, Hunter Clasen and Antonio McKay Jr., during the early signing period announced by head coach Grover Hinsdale on Tuesday.
“We signed two outstanding 400-meter runners in Hunter and Antonio,” said Hinsdale. “We are going to have a great 400m duo in the program for the next few years. We are delighted to have both of them.”
Clasen, a 6′ 3″, 175 pound athlete, is the 10th fastest returning 400m runner in the country. As a junior at Jesuit high school in Tampa, Fla., he finished with a personal-best time of 47.54. Clasen also ran the 800-meter in 1:54.83.
“His upside is definitely his height and his tremendous build,” said Hinsdale of Clasen. “He is also an excellent soccer player. The past few years he would finish his soccer season and start to run track. He has never had a true preseason to get ready for track and we think that could make him even better.”
McKay Jr., an Atlanta, Ga. native, is the son of former Tech track athlete and Olympic Champion Antonio McKay. He is the 19th fastest returning 400m runner in the country. McKay Jr. ran a time of 47.87 last year in his first year as a track and field athlete at St. Pius X high school.
“To run such a fast time in your first season in track is an amazing achievement,” said Hinsdale. “We know with more training he can be outstanding.”
The Yellow Jackets will kickoff their 2006-07 indoor season on Friday, Dec. 1, at the Clemson Opener in Clemson, S.C.
