University of North Carolina Athletics
Miltenberg Signs 16 For Track & Field/Cross Country
November 15, 2022 | Cross Country, Track & Field
The talented group includes nine men and seven women and specialists in a mixture of events.
The men's signees are Kathir Balakrishnan (sprints/hurdles) of Sunnyvale, Calif., Noah Breker (distance) of North Plymouth, Minn., James Bryant (throws) of Janesville, Wis., Mac Conwell (distance) of Mobile, Ala., Killian Fahy (sprints) of Waxhaw, N.C., Jacob Laney (distance) of Matthews, N.C., Jaylen Marsh (sprints) of Atlanta, Ga., Reece Morgan (sprints) of Waxhaw, N.C.) and Joe Sapone (distance) of Atlanta, Ga.
On the women's side, the newest Tar Heels are Evie Culbreath (distance) of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., Megan Kelleghan (pole vault) of Longmount, Colo., Emily Lamontagne (distance) of Centennial, Colo., Delea Martins (sprints) of Shorewood, Wis., Ciara O'Shea (distance) of Richmond, Ky., and Spencer Young (throws) of Los Angeles, Calif.
Read on for more on each of the new Tar Heels and why they chose to be part of the North Carolina family below.
2022 UNC Track & Field/Cross Country Signees
Men
Name Event(s) Hometown High School
Kathir Balakrishnan Sprints/Hurdles Sunnyvale, Calif. Fremont
Noah Breker Distance/XC North Plymouth, Minn. Robbinsdale Armstrong
James Bryant Throws Janesville, Wis. Parker
Mac Conwell Distance/XC Mobile, Ala. St. Paul's Episcopal
Killian Fahy Sprints Waxhaw, N.C. Cuthbertson
Jacob Laney Distance/XC Matthews, N.C. Porter Ridge
Jaylen Marsh Sprints Atlanta, Ga. Carrollton
Reece Morgan Sprints Waxhaw, N.C. Cuthbertson
Joe Sapone Distance/XC Atlanta, Ga. Holy Innocents Episcopal School
Women
Name Event(s) Hometown High School
Evie Culbreath Combined Events Lookout Mountain, Tenn. Baylor School
Maelynn Higgins Distance/XC Broomfield, Colo. Broomfield
Megan Kelleghan Pole Vault Longmount, Colo. Silver Creek
Emily Lamontagne Distance/XC Centennial, Colo. Arapahoe
Delea Martins Sprints Shorewood, Wis. Shorewood
Ciara O'Shea Distance/XC Richmond, Ky. Madison Central
Spencer Young Throws Los Angeles, Calif. Marlborough School
Why I Chose Carolina
Kathir Balakrishnan: "I chose UNC because of its competitive, yet family-like culture. Its academic and athletic excellence is the perfect fit for me."The Golden West Invite champion 🏆 and runner-up at the Arcadia Invitational, Kathir Balakrishnan is the No. 7 ranked 300-meter hurdler in California, and now he's a Tar Heel. #GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/vQVyjArkx9
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 10, 2022
Noah Breker: "I chose North Carolina because the combined level of academics, athletics, coaching and team spirit is unmatched elsewhere."Ranked No. 7 nationally in the 2-mile run (8:54.00) in 2022 and the Nike Outdoor National runner-up 🥈 in the same event, Minnesota standout Noah Breker is going to be a Tar Heel!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/HmTRMs7Mlu
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 10, 2022
James Bryant: "UNC is the perfect balance between the ideal college life and the best academic education you can get. On top of that, UNC also allows you to compete at the top level of athletics."Joining an already talented Tar Heel throws contingent, two-time All-State finisher James Bryant is coming to Chapel Hill!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/n3wVLNwBCA
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 9, 2022
Mac Conwell: "I chose Carolina because of the potential for both my athletic and academic futures that are possible there. In my eyes, nowhere else compares."The runner-up at last week's AHSAA XC Championships, and the No. 1 ranked miler in the state of Alabama in 2022, Mac Conwell is going to be a Tar Heel!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/fA3lbxn3Nm
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 9, 2022
Evie Culbreath: "There are several reasons why I chose Carolina. The coaching staff has a proven track record that I look forward to being a part of. The academic excellence of the school along with the location and the many happy students on campus made it an easy decision for me. I can't wait to start my track and academic career at this amazing campus."Ranked among the Top 10 combined-events prospects nationally, and the No. 1 hurdler out of the state of Tennessee, Evie Culbreath is coming to North Carolina!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/hkHaKNMYA1
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 9, 2022
Killian Fahy: "I decided to make The University of North Carolina my home for the next four years because it is one of the top academic schools in the nation. On top of that, UNC has a very competitive track and field program and I believe I can grow here as an athlete."The defending North Carolina state champion in the 400-meters, Killian Fahy stays close to home to be a Tar Heel!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/LoU5jVYAyv
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 11, 2022
Maelynn Higgins: "I chose Carolina to be part of, and to help build, something larger than myself."The Colorado state bronze medalist at 800-meters 🥉 and a Top 10 finisher in the mile at the 2022 Nike Outdoor National Championships, Maelynn Higgins is going to be a Tar Heel!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/sCrzoJu49k
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 14, 2022
The reigning Colorado state champion 🏅 and USATF Junior Olympic runner up 🥈 in the pole vault is going to be a Tar Heel. Welcome Megan Kelleghan!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/6b0ZP0iq51
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 9, 2022
Megan Kelleghan: "I'm excited to have chosen UNC for its highly-rated academics and sports. I'm looking forward to being part of the track and field program and continuing pole vaulting!"
Emily Lamontagne: "I chose Carolina because of the positive team and coach atmosphere, as well as the impressive academic reputation."Another Colorado to ✈️ Carolina commitment, and a multiple-time Top 10 finisher at the always-competitive Colorado State XC Championships, Emily Lamontagne is going to be a Tar Heel!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/UrTQ0ft2BE
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 14, 2022
Jacob Laney: "From the moment I first met Coaches Miltenberg and Moini, their energy was infectious! They both are very excited about building something special and bringing home a championship to UNC. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that while receiving a top notch education!"Jacob Laney ran the top times in North Carolina in both the mile and two mile in 2022, and will stay in state to wear the Carolina Blue!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/OFssXXNzlw
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 10, 2022
Jaylen Marsh: "I chose to come to UNC due to the student diversity, Great surrounding community, and overall home feel of UNC. I'm excited to call Chapel Hill my new home!Another Georgia standout is on his way to Chapel Hill! Jaylen Marsh - a GHSA finalist at 200- and 400-meters - is signed and ready to join the Tar Heel sprints contingent! #GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/v8n279tKqN
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 10, 2022
Delea Martins: "I chose UNC because it's a great academic school, and on my visit I fell in love with the University and the track & field team."A two-time WIAA state champion 🏅🏅 and the top ranked Wisconsin athlete at 300-meters in 2022, Delea Martins is Chapel Hill bound!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/68xvqwZ7Gn
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 10, 2022
Reece Morgan: "When I took my visit, I immediately knew UNC was where I wanted to be. From the team to the academics to the coaching to the facilities, it had everything I needed to be a successful student-athlete. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and blessed to be in this position that I am in."A state place winner at 300-meters and a finalist at 400-meters at Adidas Outdoor Nationals, Reece Morgan is committed to Carolina!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/hrx693WQfJ
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 15, 2022
Ciara O'Shea: "I chose Carolina after meeting the coaching staff, the team and experiencing firsthand the family atmosphere they have established here. This team is single-minded in its goal to be the best and is the only one that I want to be a small part of."The recently crowned 👑 KHSAA State Cross Country Champion and the No. 1 ranked athlete in the Kentucky at one and two miles last outdoor season, Ciara O'Shea is bringing her talents to Chapel Hill!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/1G5PzplX83
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 14, 2022
Joe Sapone: "I chose North Carolina because the coaches and team share the same vision as me, as well as the academic possibilities and reputation of the school."A multiple-time GHSA champion and the No. 1 ranked miler in the state of Georgia last year, Joe Sapone will be joining the Tar Heel distance squad!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/lZLStMGmvP
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 10, 2022
Spencer Young: "When making a decision about my college education and athletic future, I wanted a place that was close to my family. But, throughout my time there I realized that one can find family in the most unlikely of places. Even in two time zones away, me, an LA kid, can find family in NC."All the way from the West Coast, Spencer Young - the No. 1 ranked javelin thrower in California in 2022 - has picked the Carolina Blue!#GoHeels 🐏 pic.twitter.com/jQmjLjqjz2
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) November 10, 2022
